ANNAPOLIS, MD (October 24, 2001) – Reaffirming the Glendening-Townsend Administration’s commitment to protecting Maryland’s natural resources, Lt.Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend today announced Board of Public Works approval of a $100,000 grant to help Allegany County update a portion of its sewer management system and reduce the level of nutrients present in water entering the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay.

“Protecting the health of Maryland families, the Chesapeake Bay, and our overall quality of life continues to be our top priorities,” said Governor Glendening. “Not only are these projects consistent with our Smart Growth policies, but they also help us move us closer to meeting the nutrient management goals set by the Chesapeake Bay Agreement.”

The grant will go toward improvements to the County’s George’s Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. The work will include installation of chemical feed facilities for phosphorus removal and modification of the facility’s nitrogen reduction capabilities. Once complete, the plant will be capable of removing total nitrogen to a seasonal average of about 8 milligrams per liter and phosphorus to 2 milligrams per liter. Funding for today’s grant will come from the Maryland Department of the Environment’s Bio- Nutrient Removal (BNR) Program.

“The county is grateful for the additional funding to implement BNR at the George’s Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant,” said Allegany County Public Works Director W. Stephen Young. “The BNR system wil enhance the quality of the effluent leaving the plant, thereby improving water quality in the creek, which is a significant tributary to the North Branch of the Potomac River.”

Total cost of the project will top $2 million, of which half is the local share. State contributions to the project thus far total more than $650,000.

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