What Can I Do?
 Help Protect Natural Resources Do your part to conserve the natural resources that belong to all of us. If you suspect that illegal poaching of fish or wildlife is taking place, call the Natural Resource Police Catch-a-Poacher 24/7 Hotline 1-800-635-6124. Caller anonymity is guaranteed! More... |
Bay Fact
Oysters used to be so plentiful in the Bay that schooner fleets used to come all the way from New England to harvest them. In 1868 the Maryland General Assembly created the State Oyster Police to enforce oyster laws on the Chesapeake Bay. From vessels carrying cannons, enforcement has evolved to the much more sophisticated techniques the Natural Resources Police use today. Read more...
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From the desk of...
Martin O'Malley, Governor of Maryland
 | | Governor Martin O'Malley examines a wind resources map at a 2010 Wind Energy Summit Press Conference. |
Maryland's legislative session is well underway and I want to share with you some of the initiatives I am hoping our legislators will pass to keep our State moving forward.
On March 3, I spoke to a legislative committee in support of the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act, which I proposed to bring the benefits of a local source of electricity, price stability, lowered greenhouse gas emissions and a significant step towards meeting our Renewable Energy Portfolio goals. Right now Maryland imports electricity from coal-fired plants in other states, and a significant amount of the nitrogen those plants emit into the air ends up deposited into the Chesapeake Bay. We need to replace the imported electricity with locally generated, renewable sources such as wind.
Another initiative that is important to the Bay is facing up to the problems caused by continuing construction of septic systems in new housing developments. Most septic systems treat some aspects of human waste but leave all the nitrogen dissolved in the water that seeps through the drain field into groundwater and eventually into the streams and rivers that feed the Bay. Pollution from septic systems accounts for 8 percent of the nitrogen pollution in the Bay. This is the only significant source of nitrogen to the Bay that has not been subject to reduction efforts. We simply must reduce the number of new housing developments using septics instead of better waste treatment technology. We need to collectively look at what works in Maryland to address these issues.
The plan we put in place in 2008 has been very successful in helping the Bay's blue crab population recover. We are now using similar science-based efforts for oysters. My Oyster Restoration and Aquaculture Development Plan uses coordinated strategy to restore native oysters to the Bay: an expanded sanctuary program, increased aquaculture, and a more targeted and scientifically based managed public oyster fishery. Aquaculture offers opportunities for employment and small businesses while increasing the number of oysters to filter the waters of the Bay. I have proposed legislation to streamline the permitting process for these small businesses so they can get started more quickly putting more oysters into the Bay.
As we enter the last weeks of the legislative session, our legislators will be considering a wide range of subjects. I am hopeful that they will be able to act favorably on those items that are important to the Chesapeake Bay and its future.
Sincerely,
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Maryland Government at Work for the Bay
Oysters Reproducing, Surviving at Highest Levels Since 1997
According to the State's recently completed fall oyster survey, the number of spat or baby oysters in Maryland waters is at its highest level since 1997. The survival rate for young oysters is also up. "Even as our population stood at 1 percent of historic levels, we did not give up... and we now have exciting new evidence that - like our blue crab - our native oyster has not given up either," said Governor O'Malley. "We now have reason to be more optimistic than ever about the recovery of this iconic species, a recovery that would further improve water quality, create green jobs and support local economies." For more details...
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Poll: Marylanders Want to Do More to Help the Bay
The Chesapeake Bay Trust has released the results of a statewide poll that surveyed Marylanders' attitudes about Chesapeake Bay restoration and other environmental issues. More than 90 percent of respondents stated that "water pollution in rivers, streams and the Chesapeake Bay" is their top environmental concern. The study also shows that Marylanders are willing to step up efforts - in their personal lives and by government - to ensure the Bay's recovery.
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Applications Open for Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants
Volunteer-based nonprofit groups and communities can apply for grants through the Keep Maryland Beautiful program, an initiative dedicated to helping solve natural resource issues. To be considered, a project must demonstrate leadership and volunteer participation; offer potential benefits to the environment and community; and have a feasible plan, including goals, success criteria and timeline for completion. Applications are due to the Maryland Environmental Trust (MET) by March 31. Details... |
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Natural Resources Police Seize Illegal Striped Bass
Natural Resources Police (NRP) confiscated more than 10 tons of illegally caught striped bass in two days, January 31 and February 1. The 20,016 pounds of rockfish were found in four illegally anchored gill nets near Bloody Point Light, south of Kent Island in the Chesapeake Bay. Maryland's commercial striped bass fishery is managed on a quota system, in cooperation with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission; the commercial gill net quota for February was 354,318 pounds. When the illegally harvested striped bass were deducted from the quota, DNR was forced to immediately shut down the fishery. More info... |
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NRP Charges Six with Removing Oysters from a Sanctuary
 The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) recently charged six men with removing oysters from an oyster sanctuary in the Corsica River. Enforcement efforts have increased since Governor Martin O'Malley put in place an Oyster Restoration and Aquaculture Development Plan. The plan increased Maryland's network of oyster sanctuaries - from 9 percent to 24 percent of remaining quality habitat; increased areas open to leasing for oyster aquaculture and streamlined the permitting process; and maintained 76 percent of the Bay's remaining quality oyster habitat for a more targeted, sustainable, and scientifically managed public oyster fishery. More...
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