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.
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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
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Keep up with MDE
public meeting dates at:
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