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Environmental and human health protection issues are the focus of a collaborative effort between the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region III (Mid- Atlantic States). A recently signed Performance Partnership Agreement (PPA) through federal fiscal year 2006, commits MDE and EPA to increased cooperation on a range of issues such as wetlands, underground storage tanks, and environmental benefits districts.
The partnership aims to improve communication and interaction between EPA and MDE on state environmental priorities. It establishes policy of “no surprises” between partners, so that any enforcement actions in Maryland are given at least two weeks’ advance notice.
Strategic priorities
The partnership supports federal and state air quality, water quality, and waste management goals and requirements. They have three strategic priorities:
- Restoring watersheds;
- Enhancing environmentally-responsible development, and;
- Reducing environmental exposure to citizens including sensitive populations.
Focused programs
MDE will work aggressively to complete Source Water Assessments
for public water systems, protect surface and ground sources of drinking water
while sustaining watershed protection objectives.
Maryland has created Environmental Benefits Districts (EBDs),
and designated three disadvantaged areas - Park Heights, Central Prince George’s
County, and eastern Baltimore City to receive attention in protecting its
citizens from environmental impacts. Air emissions from small diesel generators
- a peak-time option offered by electric distribution companies - will be
monitored.
The One Cleanup Program - EPA agrees to assist MDE in evaluating
a Memorandum of Understanding for various site cleanup programs and identifying
where they apply within the state.
Baltimore School District Partnership – this district was
selected as a field test site for the Healthy School Environmental Assessment
Tool (Healthy SEAT) to ultimately provide healthier learning environments. The
tool will be customized to include specific state requirements for the school
district. MDE and EPA agree to partner with other health and educational
agencies to address environmental issues found in these assessments.
For more information about the National Environmental
Performance Partnership System that creates PPAs,
https://www.epa.gov/ocir/national-environmental-performance-partnership-system-nepps
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