BALTIMORE, MD (September 20, 2006) – Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Secretary Kendl P. Philbrick announced today that the agency is sponsoring the 15th annual State-County Groundwater Symposium, to be held Wednesday, September 20, 2006, at the Best Western Hotel & Conference Center in Baltimore. The full-day symposium brings together groundwater professionals from across Maryland to exchange information and promote protection of the state’s groundwater resources. More than 300 environmental professionals attended last year’s symposium with greater numbers expected this year.

“This is an ideal networking opportunity for sanitarians, environmental health directors, local planners, water suppliers and consultants who work with groundwater,” said Secretary Philbrick.

The keynote speaker for the 2006 symposium will be Dr. M. Gordon “Reds” Wolman, Professor of Geography and Environmental Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University G.W. Whiting School of Engineering. Dr. Wolman, chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Committee on the Management and Protection of the State’s Water Resources, will discuss water resource issues and the importance of planning now to ensure that water supplies in the State are adequate to meet future needs.

In addition to the keynote address, highlights will include a presentation by Dr. Robert M. Summers, director of MDE’s Water Management Administration, on the newly enacted requirements of House Bill 1141 (2006 session), an overview of a hydrogeologic project to assess the Atlantic Coastal Plain Aquifer System in Maryland, and a update on activities related to implementation of the Maryland Bay Restoration Fund. MDE will also discuss capacity management for public water and wastewater systems.

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