Friday, July 20, 2012

NOW IS THE TIME FOR ACTION TO RESTORE THE CHESAPEAKE BAY


 
NOW IS THE TIME FOR ACTION
TO RESTORE THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
 
 
 Your Opinion Counts
 
Maryland's Final Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) is almost complete.  Bay watershed states, including Maryland, are required to reduce the amount of nutrients and sediment that currently enter the Bay under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). The TMDL represents the maximum amount of nutrients and sediment that the Bay can receive and still maintain the water quality necessary for a healthy environment.

One of the key components of the plan is to adopt policies and procedures to offset new pollutant loads in the future. Because population growth and new development add to the load, Maryland is committed to having a growth offset process in place by 2013.

We want to hear from you on this important issue. MDE has planned a series of public meetings throughout the State to present the Accounting for Growth draft policy to you. The document sets out Maryland's proposed plan for managing the pollution from growth, residential and nonresidential.  Come to a public meeting and share your ideas and opinions. And spread the word about these meetings to friends, colleagues or anyone who might be interested in having a say on this issue.The proposal will be adjusted and refined as stakeholders, citizens and State agencies share ideas.

Comments on the draft should be submitted in writing to the Maryland Department of the Environment no later than October 1, 2012, by email (preferred) to:afg@mde.state.md.us or by post to: Paul Emmart, Maryland Department of the Environment, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore MD 21230-1718. MDE will consider all the comments received as the Department prepares the draft regulations, which will be subject to a public process before promulgation. 

For questions or additional information about the meetings, contact Nancy Nunn at 410-827-8056, ext. 128or nnunn@umd.edu.

Public Meeting Dates:
  
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Hagerstown Hotel & Convention Center
1910 Dual Highway
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740

Tuesday, July 31, 2012
1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture
1114 Shawan Road
Cockeysville, Maryland 21030

Thursday, August 2, 2012
1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Washington College, Hodson Hall, Hyson Lounge
300 Washington Avenue
Chestertown, Maryland 21620

Wednesday, August 22, 2012
1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Gudelsky Environmental Education Center
1020 Old Frederick Road
Woodstock, Maryland 21163

Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012
5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Maryland Department of the Environment
1800 Washinton Boulevard
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
 
Keep up with MDE 
public meeting dates at:
facebook twitter 

Blue 
This email was sent to angelsbrown@gmail.com by mde_secretary@mde.state.md.us  
Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.
Maryland Department of the Environment | 1800 Washington Boulevard | Baltimore | MD | 21230

Friday, July 13, 2012

Climate Change Affects Us All


 
CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS US ALL:
HERE'S YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. 

 
 
Maryland Department 
of the Environment
1800 Washington Boulevard
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
 
 
 
Keep up with MDE 
public meeting dates at:
facebook twitter 

 
 

 
Public Meeting Dates:

Tuesday, July 17, 2012 - 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Silver Spring Public Library
8901 Colesville Road
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
Contact: Keith Harrington, 240-396-1985
 
Thursday, July 19, 2012 - 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
College Park City Hall
4500 Knox Road
College Park, Maryland 20740
Contact: Chris Hill, Sierra Clubchris.hill@sierraclub.org
Your Opinion Counts

The Maryland Department of the Environment is seeking your thoughts on the 2011 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act Draft Plan - Maryland's strategy for addressing climate change.

In keeping with requirements of Maryland law, MDE has drafted a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020. The final plan is to be submitted in December.

Stakeholder input is critical to the process - and we're all stakeholders.

Maryland is the third most vulnerable state to sea level rise, one of the major consequences of climate change. Rising sea levels, along with increased storm intensity, could have devastating and far-reaching environmental and economic impacts on the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and the quality of life Marylanders currently enjoy.

The draft plan includes 65 control measures to address the potential impact of climate change. The law also requires the actions in the plan to have a positive impact on job creation and to contribute to Maryland's economy. The draft plan will create 36,000 jobs and have a $6 billion economic benefit to our state's economy.

We want to hear from you on this important issue. Come to a public meeting and share your ideas and opinions. And please spread the word about these meetings to any members of your group, your friends or anyone who might be interested in having a say on this issue.
This email was sent to angelsbrown@gmail.com by mde_secretary@mde.state.md.us  
Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.
Maryland Department of the Environment | 1800 Washington Boulevard | Baltimore | MD | 21230