Former Governor Martin O’Malley, along with the Secretaries of the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Director of the Maryland Environmental Service (MES), hosted a discussion with elected officials and public works and planning staff from Maryland counties and Baltimore City to discuss innovative and cost-effective practices to manage stormwater runoff as part of the cooperative effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay and our local waterways.  

The event included exhibits and information from government and non-profit stakeholders, including MDE, DNR, MES, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Maryland State Highway Administration, the Chesapeake Bay Trust, Parks and People Foundation, Capital Restoration and the Environmental Finance Center. 

Polluted stormwater runoff is a significant source of pollution to local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. Storm drain systems collect rainfall from rooftops, parking lots, streets and other paved or covered areas and ultimately discharge to streams and rivers. Along with rain water, the pipes convey sediment, nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), bacteria, fuel, trace metals, salt from road de-icing and trash.