BALTIMORE, MD (November 14, 2012) – Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Robert M. Summers today announced the appointment of D. Lee Currey as director of MDE’s Science Services Administration.
Currey has been manager of MDE’s Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program since 2010, playing a key role in the development of Maryland’s Watershed Implementation Plan to restore local waterways and meet the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s "pollution diet" for the Chesapeake Bay.
"Lee is a widely respected leader of Maryland’s scientific and technical work with the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program, the other watershed states and Maryland Bay Cabinet agencies," Secretary Summers said.
The Science Services Administration (SSA) develops solutions to multi-media problems affecting human health and the environment and provides technical analyses and scientific guidance to MDE programs. SSA’s functions include: 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.
"I am thrilled to accept the role as Science Services Administration director and look forward to working with MDE’s senior leadership to develop innovative solutions to today’s water quality and other environmental challenges," Currey said. "I have been part of SSA for over 12 years and I am eager to continue working with such a dedicated group of people. We will continue to integrate new science used to support decision making for the protection of public health and aquatic life, especially as we face challenges surrounding population growth, climate change and Bay Restoration.
Currey succeeds Richard Eskin, who retired in July as director of the Science Services Administration. Marie Halka, deputy director of the Administration, has been serving as acting director with plans to retire from State service in early 2013.
A licensed professional engineer, Currey received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Delaware in 1993 and a master’s degree in civil engineering from Old Dominion University in 1998. He left the private engineering sector to join MDE in 2000. In his new position, he will be responsible for leadership and oversight of a staff of about 100.
Currey, 44, lives in Cockeysville with his wife and two children.
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