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List of State Officials - Robert Ehrlich, Governor; Michael Steele, Lt. Governor; Kendal Philbrick, MDE Secretary 

Volume I, Number 2

April - May 2005

eMDE is a monthly publication of the Maryland Department of the Environment. It covers articles on current environmental issues and events in the state. Additional monthly features include: MDE public meetings and hearings schedule, enforcement and compliance notes, and permitting activity.​

Agency Gives Environmental Justice Update, Plans Expansion of EBDs

By Dorothy Morrison

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The Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) environmental justice efforts are progressing and focused on reaching further into communities across the state.

Environmental justice (EJ) is based on the principle that regardless of race, national origin, age, or income, no segment of our population should bear disproportionately high and adverse effects of environmental pollution.

“The term means different things to different people and it’s meaning continues to evolve,” said MDE Secretary Kendl P. Philbrick. “Regardless of the many interpretations of EJ, one thing holds true - some communities are at much greater risk for environmental hazards and economic deprivation. In these communities, we must strive to mitigate harmful effects and improve the quality of life of residents.”

MDE is committed to promoting an environmental justice culture within the department and to raising awareness about EJ issues statewide. MDE is taking steps to achieve EJ through enhanced public participation in the permitting process, holding EJ awareness training for staff and implementation of the Environmental Benefits Districts (EBD) program launched in 2003.

Environmental Benefits Districts (EBD) are places where state government and other stakeholders, working with community residents, can focus their financial, technical, regulatory, administrative, policy, and other resources to conduct on-the-ground projects to benefit communities most in need. In 2004, MDE designated two geographic areas as EBDs: central Prince George’s County and east Baltimore City. Since the designations, MDE has employed a variety of program resources, including grant funding of almost $1 million to improve environmental conditions in these districts. In central Prince George’s County, some of MDE’s coordinated program support include:

  • Air quality improvements through grant funds for diesel engine retrofits for school buses;
  • Fostering participation in the ‘Green Schools’ initiative;
  • Compliance assistance for drycleaners and gas stations;
  • Additional monitoring of MDE permitted facilities; and
  • Brownfields assessments to revitalize blighted properties.

In East Baltimore, MDE has provided assistance by:

  • Retrofitting Mass Transit Adminstration buses for ultra low sulfur fuel use;
  • Using supplemental environmental projects (SEP) funds to retrofit school boilers to reduce emissions;
  • Implementing an auto body shop compliance assistance program; and
  • Reviewing the East Baltimore Redevelopment Demolition protocols to ensure minimal exposure of residents to potential hazards resulting from demolition activities.

In 2005, MDE hopes to designate two additional districts. MDE has earmarked parts of the Gwynns falls watershed, particularly the southwestern part of Baltimore City, to be designated as an EBD. The designation will facilitate MDE assistance for watershed restoration efforts, playground projects, greater enforcement activities, grant writing support and educational outreach to schools and communities in the area.

Additionally, MDE will consider parts of the Eastern Shore and Western Maryland for programmatic assistance. MDE will work with counties, municipalities, and community-based organizations to identify areas within the state that are environmentally challenged or at highest risk.

“Implementing the EBD program is one mechanism that MDE is employing to achieve environmental justice,” Secretary Philbrick added. “Systemic changes to address environmental justice issues should not be the responsibility or task of a single government agency or department. Adapting programs that are responsive to the changing needs of communities and developing new approaches to community development require engaged and facilitated dialogues among government officials and stakeholders at all levels.”

MDE senior staff regularly reaches out to other state agencies, local governments, and potential partners to raise awareness about environmental justice in Maryland, promote the concept of EBDs, and garner support for collaboration.

Maryland’s Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities was established by law in 2003. The body is charged with reviewing state policies and programs, listening to community concerns and making recommendations to the governor and state agencies about ways to create healthy, safe, economically vibrant, and environmentally sound communities for all Marylanders. The body generally meets monthly and its meetings are open to the public.

For more information call Dorothy Morrison, MDE’s Environmental Justice Administrator, at (410) 537-3897 or visit http://mde.maryland.gov/programs/Crossmedia/EnvironmentalJustice/
Pages/WhatisEJ.aspx


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Editorial Board
Maryland Department of the Environment
1800 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21230
http://mde.maryland.gov/
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