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What Can I Do?
Spring Clean for the Bay
Spring is a good time to pick up trash and debris near storm drains and along the banks of the Bay and its tributaries. If spring cleaning within your home turns up expired or unneeded human or pet medicines, the safest way to dispose of them is to take them on Saturday, April 28, to one of the many collection sites that will be located throughout Maryland. More info... |
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Bay Fact
The Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, which crosses Cecil County, allows ships to enter the Port of Baltimore without going around the coast of Delaware and Maryland - a 300-mile trip! When originally opened in 1829 the canal was 10 feet deep and had four locks. After several upgrades the canal is now at sea level, with a channel that is 35 feet deep and 450 feet wide. More details...
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From the desk of...
Martin O'Malley, Governor of Maryland
 | | Governor O'Malley testifies on Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012 before House Environmental Matters Committee. |
With only days left this Legislative Session, we are optimistic that we can continue to move forward to restore the Chesapeake Bay. Our legislators are making progress on measures that address key elements of our Bay restoration strategy, and we are striving to resolve the remaining issues by the end of the session.
The House of Delegates has passed two important measures that will greatly improve our ability to meet nutrient reduction limits by 2025 - increased funding for the Bay Restoration Fund that pays for upgrading the technology at our wastewater treatment plants, and creation of stormwater utilities in our largest counties to retrofit urban areas that were built before stormwater management techniques were used.
The Maryland Senate has passed the Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012, which will help slow down the addition of new septic systems that would otherwise increase nitrogen pollution of the Bay by up to 31% from this source over the next 25 years.
We are encouraged by the action on these bills and are continuing to work together with our legislators to advance these and other measures including the offshore wind energy bill that will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. As we head into the final days of the 2012 legislative session, thank you for your continued support of our joint efforts to protect and restore the Bay we all love.
Sincerely, 
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Eyes on the Bay
 Eyes on the Bay is now mobile! Get the latest Maryland DNR real-time water quality readings from our more than 15 sites via your mobile browser while on your boat or at the beach. Data include water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity (water clarity), pH and chlorophyll. http://bit.ly/baydata. Of course you can still access current water quality conditions of Maryland's tidal waters from your home or office at Eyesonthebay.net.
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BayStat Update
At its March meeting, the BayStat team discussed the need to find new ways to engage students and other members of the public in hands-on activities that help restore the Bay, including a new program to plant buffers along barren stream sides. Look for more news on this effort in the weeks ahead as the team works with state and local partners to develop an implementation plan.
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Your Government at Work
 Draft Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan Open for Comment
The Maryland Department of the Environment has released a draft plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Maryland by 25% from a 2006 baseline by 2020. The plan is required by a 2009 law passed by Governor O'Malley and the Maryland General Assembly, and will be finalized at the end of 2012. A series of public workshops to receive comments and suggestions will be announced soon. View the draft...
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 Smithsonian Launches Database of Invasive Marine Organisms
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center has launched Nemesis, a collection of online databases that starts with information about exotic marine and estuarine species in the Chesapeake Bay area. The searchable database has information on over 300 species that have been observed in the Chesapeake Bay region. Check it out... |
 Getting a Fishing License Will Soon Be Easier Thanks to a new licensing and registration system, you will soon be able to purchase a Maryland hunting or fishing license from home over the Internet and receive an electronic copy of your license by email. Use of the new online system started in March at DNR regional service centers and selected sports license agent locations, and full online access is expected to be available
in early April. Read more... |
 Osprey Cam Offers Online Views of Osprey Nest
You can check the status of an osprey nest at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge from the comfort of home, courtesy of a camera mounted by the Friends of Blackwater. The group also has a camera mounted over an eagle nest. Ospreys winter in South and Central America, but return to their nests in March to hatch and rear their young. Check it out...
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 DNR Seeks Communities to Grow Oysters
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for communities to help raise baby oysters for the 2012 season. Local coordinators are needed to organize the program, in additional rivers, creeks and Bay areas. Now in its fifth year, Marylanders Grow Oysters is bigger and better than ever thanks to enthusiastic citizens who have helped establish and expand this effort. More info... |
 Habichat Newsletter Now Available
An online newsletter featuring spring peepers, bats, butterfly bush and other wildlife habitat topics is now available on DNR's website. In addition to the latest quarterly posting, the Habichat archive has many articles about habitat tips, Maryland wildlife, profiles of native plants and activities for children.
See the newsletter... |
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