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Bay restoration goals one-quarter to one-third met
The Chesapeake Bay Program says states in the bay watershed are about one quarter to one third of the way toward meeting goals for cutting the bay’s three main pollutants by 2025. The new federally led restoration strategy calls for cuts in nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment. The bay program says its models show that between […]
MDE to announce Wicomico groundwater contamination response
SALISBURY — Maryland environmental officials plan to brief residents on how they will respond to groundwater contamination in Wicomico County. A community meeting is scheduled Tuesday in the Parkside High School auditorium in Salisbury. Maryland Department of the Environment spokesman Jay Apperson says state officials have identified the activity they believe led to the contamination. […]
Perdue developing new way to compost chicken waste
SEAFORD, Del. — Engineers with Perdue Farms are working on new methods of composting chicken waste in Delaware and on Maryland’s Eastern Shore that could also control pollution. Perdue officials are seeking permission to add wood, water and hatchery waste to poultry litter, The News Journal reported. The company would then recycle the litter at […]
Anne Arundel exec vetoes stormwater fee
ANNAPOLIS — Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman has vetoed a stormwater remediation fee, asking the county council to consider phasing-in fees for some property owners. Neuman vetoed the bill Thursday, giving the council two months to develop a new plan or override the veto. The council narrowly passed the bill last week. The Maryland […]
Md. Attorney General audit: More environmental enforcement needed
Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler says his annual environmental audit has found the need for enhanced enforcement of pollution laws. Gansler says pollution related to urban and residential growth is also a concern and the audit highlighted the benefits of increasing public awareness of environmental issues. The audit was the fifth for Gansler, who visits […]
Chesapeake Bay grasses decline again
Underwater grasses in the Chesapeake Bay continued to decline last year, and Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee the year before are to blame, researchers said Thursday as they released results of an aerial survey of the ecologically important aquatic plants. The 2011 storms dumped a torrent of mud and debris into the bay, and […]
Residents fear ground contamination on casino site
State environmental officials have pledged to consider comments made during a public meeting Thursday about a plan to construct the $400 million Horseshoe Casino on a former industrial site near M&T Stadium.
Report: Bay stormwater pollution costs can be cut
RICHMOND, Va. — A new report says there are cost-effective ways for local governments to reduce stormwater pollution going into the Chesapeake Bay. The report says local governments could possibly reduce their costs by 50 percent to 85 percent by choosing the most-effective measures. These measures include restoring urban streams instead of building detention ponds […]
Businesses fear huge bills from stormwater fee
ANNAPOLIS — Bill Blanchett crunched some numbers and cringed. Under legislation pending before the County Council, which would charge property owners to help pay for stormwater pollution cleanup, he’ll get an annual bill in excess of $20,000 for one of his four commercial properties. That’s more than his annual property tax bill on the Curtis […]
Farm bureaus: Don’t dismiss EPA lawsuit in W.Va.
ELKINS, W.Va. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants a judge to dismiss a West Virginia chicken grower’s lawsuit over water-pollution orders the agency issued against her then withdrew in December, arguing the case is now moot. But court filings show Eight is Enough farm operator Lois Alt plans to join the West Virginia and […]
Proposed state budget includes up to $300K for Berlin farm involved in pollution lawsuit
A Berlin farm could receive up to $300,000 to cover court costs under an amendment tacked onto Gov. Martin O'Malley's budget by the House of Delegates.
Md. researchers issue fracking recommendations
FROSTBURG — Researchers commissioned by a state panel studying natural gas drilling in western Maryland have come up with recommendations. The researchers studied hydraulic fracturing, which uses sand, water and chemicals to free gas from shale. The technique has sparked an energy boom but is blamed for polluting groundwater. The authors say that until it […]
