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Maryland Commission on Climate Change Discusses Progress
The Maryland Commission on Climate Change met on September 30th at Maryland Department of the Environment to discuss the most recent developments in climate change science and steps the State must continue to take toward climate protection. With the passage of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act of 2009, Maryland committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2020, and the Commission will continue to report to the Governor and General Assembly on the State’s progress toward that goal.
Dr. Don Boesch of the University of Maryland led a presentation on recent scientific development related to the climate action plan, reiterating the importance of reducing carbon dioxide emissions as warming trends and how their effects are becoming increasingly evident. State agency representatives then updated the Commission on their progress toward implementing policy options from the Climate Action Plan, published in August 2008, that each had been assigned to spearhead. Measures range from increasing the State’s use of renewable energy (Public Service Commission) and mass transit (Maryland Department of Transportation), to Future Adaptation Strategy Development (Department of Natural Resources). Dr. Dave Goshorn of the Department of Natural Resources briefed the Commission on efforts to measure and reduce of the State of Maryland's Government Environmental Footprint.
The next report to the Governor and General Assembly is due in November 2009. Click here for further information on the MCCC process and recommended policies.
Marylanders Gather to Develop Solutions to State’s Environmental Justice And Health Issues
On October 3, nearly 150 Marylanders gathered at Morgan State University to help develop a comprehensive State effort to improve planning, development, and public health assessments to reach sustainability goals. The Environment, Justice, and Health in the Planning Process: Strategies for Maryland symposium outlined Maryland’s environmental justice challenges and the work of the Maryland Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities (CEJSC). By improving coordination and planning in the permitting process, the CEJSC believes communities will be empowered and benefit from an improved quality of life. Socio-economic status, noise, traffic, design, pollution, and other environmental factors have a significant effect on the health of communities.
After a keynote address by Director of the U.S. EPA Office of Environmental Justice Charles Lee, participants heard about case studies demonstrating how zoning and land use processes address environmental justice and the public health effects of planning and development. During breakout sessions, participants made recommendations on how to improve environmental justice needs in data and information management, community advocacy, and public policy, and delivered their findings in a report at the end of the day.
The Maryland Department of the Environment and the CEJSC have partnered to address issues of Environmental Justice throughout Maryland. The CEJSC was established by Executive Order on January 1, 2001, and signed into law on May 22, 2003. The CEJSC is a fifteen-member body that includes two State legislators, three cabinet secretaries, and ten Governor appointees representing six interests groups—environmental advocacy, public health, local government, regulated business, impacted community, and the general public with expertise and/or interest in environmental Justice.
The CEJSC is tasked with examining issues of environmental justice and sustainable communities in order to create healthy, safe, economically vibrant, and environmentally sound communities for all Marylanders in a manner that allows for democratic processes and community involvement.
MDE Updates Local Governments on High-Quality Waters and Water Quality Impairments
This fall, MDE is providing all Maryland counties, the City of Baltimore, and major military installations with updates regarding high-quality “Tier II” waters, water quality impairments and total maximum daily loads within their boundaries. This information will include updated maps and listings, a Tier II regulatory narrative, and description of TMDL management implications. replace with website address. For more information contact John Backus at John.Backus@maryland.gov or 410-537-3965.
New Permit for Agricultural Animal Feeding Operations to Take Effect December 1
The Maryland Department of Environment will issue a general discharge permit, effective December 1, 2009, for Maryland Animal Feeding Operations and Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. The permit implements regulations adopted in January for animal feeding operations. The permit and regulations require measures to control nutrient discharges from Maryland’s largest agricultural animal operations and will better protect local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay.
MDE, the Maryland Department of Agriculture, soil conservation districts, and USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Services offer technical and financial assistance to farmers as they work to comply with permit requirements and further reduce nutrient impacts on the Bay and its tributaries.
The permit and regulations are part of a broad campaign to protect and restore the state’s waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay. The effort to reduce nutrient pollution also includes upgrading wastewater treatment plants and septic systems, better managing urban and suburban stormwater runoff, controlling emissions from power plants, planting cover crops, and expanding forested buffers and wetlands.
Click here for more information.
Register Now for the Mid-Atlantic Green Business Forum -- Monday, October 26, 2009
The Mid-Atlantic Green Business Forum will bring green business experts, leaders, and programs in the mid Atlantic region together in a format that allows participants to learn, share, and network for the future.
Attendees of the Green Business Forum will have many opportunities to connect, network, and learn from each other to best address the energy and environmental opportunities and challenges in our emerging new economy.
Focus tracks include Planning for the New Economy, Greening Your Business, Financing and Assistance and Green Marketing.
Registration includes two networking lunches with speakers, special Green Business evening reception, and five networking breaks.
Program Partners
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Baltimore County Office of Sustainability
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Baltimore City Office of Sustainability
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EPA Region 3
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SMART (Strengthening the Mid-Atlantic Region for Tomorrow
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Johns Hopkins University
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Natural Resources Defense Council
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Maryland Department of the Environment
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Maryland Energy Administration
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Baltimore City Housing
Sponsors and Supporters
15th Annual Maryland Water Monitoring Council Conference - December 3, 2009 - Maritime Institute in North Linthicum
Top Reasons Why You Should Attend:
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Meet and mingle with fellow water monitors and save $15 by registering before November 15th.
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Hear Tom Horton, Chesapeake Bay author, Professor of Environmental Studies at Salisbury University and longtime (former) Baltimore Sun environmental writer share his thoughts and experiences.
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Learn how members of the Savage River Watershed Association are protecting and restoring brook trout habitat.
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Be a part of the third Carl Weber Award ceremony.
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Enjoy a great all-you-can-eat buffet lunch with dessert.
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Experience the wonder of Maryland's aquatic fauna up close and personal at the Critter Table.
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Learn from Hood College students how the invasive rusty crayfish is expanding its range in Maryland.
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Talk to representatives from water monitoring equipment vendors and check out some new toys.
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Find out how real-time water quality data can help mitigate impacts from the Intercounty Connector.
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Interact with the coordinators of several successful watershed associations and learn how you can volunteer.
For more information go to www.marylandwatermonitoring.org.
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