Rowe named Deputy of Science Services at MDE
Matthew Rowe, manager of MDE’s Environmental Assessment and Standards Program since 2010, was recently appointed deputy director of MDE’s Science Services Administration (SSA).
Rowe joined MDE in 1998. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Environmental Science/Stream Ecology from Oregon State University and has also completed the Executive Education Program in National Smart Growth Leadership at the University of Maryland. Prior to coming to MDE, Rowe worked in streams research at the University of Maryland, as a field biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, as a research fellow with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Corvallis Lab and as an engineering technician in the private sector.
In his new position, he will be responsible for assisting in leadership and oversight of a staff of about 100. SSA is responsible for: developing and maintaining water quality standards; assessing actual or potential health risks and cumulative impacts to the environment from human activities associated with the release of toxic or otherwise harmful substances; developing and maintaining fish consumption advisories and monitoring shellfish waters for contamination; and investigating fish kills.
Governor O’Malley, MDE and partners discuss best practices at Stormwater Symposium
Governor Martin O’Malley, along with the Secretaries from MDE and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and officials from Maryland Environmental Service, hosted 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 local waterways.
The roundtable discussion, which kicked off the Stormwater Symposium, also included information on State funding that is available for projects that help to protect and restore the Bay and local waterways. Speakers from federal, state and local governments, as well as private businesses, presented case studies in innovative and collaborative efforts to manage stormwater runoff, along with information on applicable Maryland regulations.
MDE celebrates 36th annual Tawes Awards for a clean environment
An Eagle Scout who led efforts to plant more than 3,000 trees near the Liberty Reservoir to benefit water quality earned the 36th Annual Tawes Youth Award.
Nathan Hirtle of Carroll County was honored for his efforts along with Tawes Adult Award Winner, Anthony Thim. Thim was recognized for his work as the Deputy Chairman of the Maryland Ad Hoc Committee on Oil.
Mike Frank of MDE’s Land Management Administration also received the eighth annual James B. Coulter Award in recognition of his 19 years of service to Maryland working with businesses and communities to maintain compliance and cleanup of oil spills.
The awards are co-sponsored by MDE, the Maryland Petroleum Council and DNR to recognize youth, adults, and private organizations involved in the restoration and protection of Maryland’s natural resources. The awards were presented May 16 at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis.
The awards are named in honor of J. Millard Tawes, governor of Maryland from 1959 to 1967 and the first DNR secretary. The James B. Coulter Award, named after Maryland’s second DNR secretary, acknowledges environmental contributions by a government employee.
MDE gives Baltimore City students a new look at litter
On a sunny day in early June, MDE, DNR and a host of other environmental organizations brought the outdoors to more than 300 Baltimore City elementary school students. Carroll Park Field Day presented students and parents from Samuel Morse Elementary with 16 different environmental activity stations meant to enhance their knowledge about protecting and preserving the environment around them.
MDE’s litterbug booth challenged students to think about keeping trash off the street and out of their watershed and discussed the potential impacts of littering. The event provided an opportunity for an open dialogue with parents and children about the simple changes they can make to keep their neighborhood and the Chesapeake Bay clean.
The Great Chesapeake Bay Swim
Volunteers from MDE were on hand to educate and support more than 1,000 swimmers and their families at the 2013 Great Chesapeake Bay Swim. Participants gathered on the shore of Sandy Point State Park and swam 4.4 miles across the bay in the shadow of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Upon their arrival at the finish line, MDE’s volunteers answered questions about the health of the water and shared tips on with swimmers on what they can do to keep the Bay healthy for generations of swimmers to come.
Proceeds from the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim were awarded to non-profit programs focusing on maternal and infant health (the March of Dimes, the University of Maryland Medical System), environmental causes (the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Sandy Point State Park Foundation) and boater safety awareness (the Chesapeake Bay Power Boat Association), and other charitable causes.
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