eMDE – ICYMI: Gov. Hogan Supports Fracking Ban
THE LATEST FROM THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Gov. Hogan Supports Fracking Ban
In case you missed it: Governor Larry Hogan announced his support for a ban against hydraulic fracturing in Maryland.
In an announcement Friday, Governor Hogan noted that the Maryland Department of the Environment has proposed the toughest regulations in the country – and that those regulations “would have made it virtually impossible for anyone to ever engage in fracking in Maryland.” The Governor said he has decided that “we must take the next step and move from virtually banning fracking to actually banning fracking.”
“Because of Maryland’s unique position in the country and our wealth of natural resources, our administration has concluded that the possible environmental risks of fracking simply outweigh any potential benefits,” Governor Hogan said. “Protecting our clean water supply and our natural resources is critically important to Marylanders, and we simply cannot allow the door to be opened for fracking in our state.”
Maryland Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles attended Governor Hogan’s announcement.
Here is the Baltimore Sun’s story.
In the News
WFMD: Frederick County placed under drought warning
The water situation in Frederick County and surrounding jurisdictions has become very serious. The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued a drought warning for central Maryland, which includes not only Frederick County, but Carroll, Howard, Montgomery, Baltimore and Cecil Counties.
“We’re encouraging citizens and businesses to voluntarily reduce their water use. And at the same, we’re going to increase our evaluations in the monitoring that we do and we’re going to do even more of that,” says Jay Apperson, spokesman for MDE. “And we’re going to be working with the local water systems and the local drought response coordinators that are in the jurisdictions, including Frederick County.”…
WMDT: Board of Public Works approves Chesapeake Bay funds
Howard County officials announced plans to begin the largest stream restoration project in the county’s history on farmland in Woodbine.
The $2.13 million project will restore around 6,200 feet of Cattail Creek over the next two years as the county attempts to meet state requirements to tackle stormwater runoff by 2019. …
Air, Land, Water – Did you Know?
Nominations being accepted for 40th annual Tawes and Coulter awards for a clean environment
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2017 Tawes Award for a Clean Environment and for the James B. Coulter Government Employee Award.
The Tawes Award recognizes individuals, civic, community and non-profit groups that have demonstrated outstanding efforts to enhance Maryland’s environment over a period of time or with a single project. Past project winners have included community cleanups, school ecology or beautification projects and innovative environmental enhancements in recycling, prevention and control of hazardous materials, waste reduction and other areas. There are separate categories for youth and adults. The Maryland Petroleum Council will donate $300 each in the names of the Tawes youth and adult winners to the non-profit group of their choice.
The James B. Coulter Award acknowledges outstanding environmental contributions by a government employee.
The deadline for nominations is April 11, 2017. The nomination form can be completed electronically and submitted automatically or downloaded from environment’s website and submitted via email to tawes.award@maryland.gov. hard copies of nominations may also be sent to maryland department of the environment, office of communications, 7th floor, 1800 washington boulevard, baltimore, md 21230, attention adrienne diaczok – tawes award.
It’s Fix-a-Leak Week
Household leaks can waste more than one trillion gallons of water annually nationwide, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Learn to be a leak detective to conserve water in your home.
Department of the Environment now accepting applications from high school juniors and seniors for its 2017 Environmental Science Student Award and Internship Program
Amy Donna Bitler, MDE’s 2016 environmental science student intern, assisting with air quality monitoring at Hart-Miller Island
The Maryland Department of the Environment is now accepting applications for the 2017 Environmental Science Student Award and Internship Program. The award recognizes high school juniors and seniors who have excelled in environmental science both inside and outside the classroom. The grand prize winner will receive a paid internship, valued at $3,000, at the Department of the Environment during the summer of 2017.
“Our future relies on the student environmental leaders of today,” said Secretary Ben Grumbles. “The Environmental Science Student Award and Internship Program encourages those who are interested in science, technology, and engineering to pursue careers in the environmental field. This internship program provides students with many opportunities to learn new skills and hone their strengths in a real world situation. We are excited to nurture the next generation of environmental scientists here at the Department of the Environment.”
The deadline for nominations is April 3, 2017. Application forms and instructions are available on the Department’s website and may be submitted by email to Nadine.Hailey@maryland.gov or by mail to: Maryland Department of the Environment, Office of Human Resources, 1800 Washington Boulevard, 5th Floor, Baltimore MD 21230, Attention: Nadine Hailey.
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Our mission is to protect and restore the quality of Maryland’s air, water, and land resources, while fostering smart growth, a thriving and sustainable economy and healthy communities.