ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 23, 1998) -- A project that will bring biological nutrient removal technology to the Leonardtown Wastewater Treatment Plant in St. Mary's County, received Board of Public Works approval today of a $802,500 grant.

"Removal of these nutrients will improve the quality of water that enters Breton Bay and the Potomac River and ultimately will help Maryland achieve its goal of a 40 percent nutrient reduction in the Chesapeake Bay by the year 2000," said Governor Parris N. Glendening. "This is an important part of our overall plan to address the sources of excess nutrients believed to contribute to our Pfiesteria problem."

In addition to the State grant, the Town of Leonardtown is contributing $240,750. Construction is expected to begin in September 1999 and to be completed in June 2000.

"The town needs to go to the next level of treatment now, before all the growth we are expecting has already occurs," said Leonardtown Mayor J. Harry Norris, III. "The tidal waters around St. Mary's County will undoubtedly be stressed due to all the anticipated development, but we want to do our share to improve the situation. However, Leonardtown is a small town and we could not afford this project without State assistance.

Chaired by Governor Glendening, the Board of Public Works also is comprised of Comptroller Robert L. Swann and Treasurer Richard N. Dixon. The Board is empowered by the General Assembly to approve construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.

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