BALTIMORE, MD (May 27, 2004) – The Maryland Secretary of the Environment will hold a public roundtable discussion with local officials, business and community leaders and the public on Thursday, June 3rd at Frostburg State University.

The meeting is the centerpiece of a three-day tour of Western Maryland by Secretary Kendl P. Philbrick and key staff from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).

“One of our priorities at MDE is to establish a regular and effective dialogue with local officials, citizens and businesses we regulate,” Philbrick said. “My goal for this trip to Garrett, Allegany and Washington counties is to listen to local concerns and build stronger relationships with those we serve as well as those we regulate.”

MDE is Maryland’s environmental regulatory agency, with broad responsibility for public health and the quality of Maryland’s air, water and land resources.

MDE is also the lead agency in implementing Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.’s Bay Watershed Restoration Fund, landmark legislation that will reduce nitrogen pollution in the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland’s coastal bays.

In addition to meeting with community leaders and the public, Philbrick will tour Mettiki Coal Mine in Oakland, the MeadeWestvaco paper mill in Luke, and the AES Warrior Run power plant in Cumberland and landfill and wastewater treatment plants in Hagerstown.

The public roundtable discussion will be held in Room 201 of the Lane Center on the Frostburg campus. It is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

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