News & Upcoming Events
Secretary Wilson to Speak at TRPA Annual Meeting
Ms Shari T. Wilson, Maryland's Secretary of the Environment
As a member of Governor O'Malley's Cabinet, she has responsibility for Wetland Protection and air and water pollution among various other programs. She has control of a large budget some of which is granted for worthwhile programs designed to protect the environment.
Ms. Wilson is a graduate of The University of Richmond, The University of Virginia and The University of Maryland. Her law degree allowed her to function as the Chief Solicitor for land use in the Baltimore City Law Department.
A long time resident of Baltimore, she enjoys biking and gardening with native plants.
A panel of speakers will follow the keynote address. It will include Brice Gamber of the Creekwatchers updating the condition of the rivers, Dr. Thomas Fisher of the Horn Point Laboratory discussing practical actions to improve rivers, Talbot County Engineer, Ray P. Clarke discussing local government initiatives, Linda Makosky presenting actions homeowners can take and Richard Hutchison of the Agricultural Community discussing farming practices.
We anticipate a lively question and answer period emphasizing what the individual can do to enhance and protect Talbot Rivers. Light refreshments will follow.
Seating is limited so reservations are requested. Direct requests for reservations or any questions to Pat Betlejewski at 410-822-0019 or "Doc" Kuntz at 410-763-9172 or info@talbotrivers.org.
'Business as Usual' will not Improve Talbot County Waterways
The message from the experts at the October 19th TRPA River Roundtable 'Just Say Yes to Clean Rivers' was loud and clear. Our waters are declining in quality and if we stay on our current course, we will soon see 'dead zones' in our Talbot County rivers. Dead zones are areas in which the oxygen content is too low to support fish, crabs, oysters, and clams. The major culprit is excess nitrogen. While nitrogen is essential for plant and animal nutrition, we are dealing with too much of a good thing. The resulting overabundance of algae contributes to the dark coloration of our waters and our inability to see more than a few feet down from the surface under the best conditions. The blocked sunlight and decomposing algae at the bottom, result in reduced oxygen that is essential for all living organisms, plants and animals alike.The good news from the panel experts, Drs. Russell Brinsfield, Maryland Center for Agro-Ecology, Tom Fisher, UMD Center for Environmental Science at Horn Point, and Howard Ernst, U.S. Naval Academy, is that there are solutions to the problems facing our rivers. The bad news is that these solutions will require a change in human behavior and may have a long lead-time before improvements are measurable. Instead of endless debates on who is responsible for the decline in our water quality, all three panelists recommend that we work together. As concerned citizens, we must ensure that the resources are forthcoming to restore our treasured Eastern Shore environment, while enabling farmers, watermen, and other local businesses to operate in an economically viable manner. The technology to achieve this is available, but is often costly. In some cases, temporary sacrifices are required to achieve long-term results, e.g., moratoriums on specific fisheries, testing of new markets for alternative crops, and involvement of community planners to ensure that growth has the lowest possible impact on the environment.
Panelists presented numerous specific actions that 'Say Yes to Clean Rivers'. All agreed that farms are a critical component of our heritage and must be preserved if we are to sustain our way of life in Talbot County. Since farm crops are dependent on fertilization, support must be forthcoming to assist farmers in planting cover crops to impede nitrogen runoff and to till the soil when fertilizers are applied. Buffer zones along waterways are essential. All are expensive procedures not fully covered by current subsidies. A National Farm Bill that rewards farmers for stewardship of the environment would help create a level playing field. It could encourage Eastern Shore farmers to explore cultivation of alternative crops, such as grasses, that require less fertilizer than corn and soybeans. Passage of such a bill and other legislation to assist farmers requires sustained political action by concerned citizens. The new Energy Bill could provide incentives for farmers to experiment with crops for alternative energy sources. Since it is sometimes difficult for local citizens to understand the impact of national or state legislation on their home territory, education and persuasion are essential.
On a national level, the Clean Air Act, which targeted smokestacks, the largest emitters of nitrogen, is an example of successful environmental legislation. On a state level, the 'flush fee' bill is another example of what can be done if citizens express willingness to lobby and pay for a process that cleans our waters. This legislation will have a major impact on reducing nitrogen in our rivers when fully implemented. Another potential target, is upgrading septic tanks to reduce nitrogen outflow. The technology is available, but is expensive for homeowners. Legislation to reward those who implement these upgrades would result in further reduction of nitrogen in our groundwater, streams, and rivers. The economic and aesthetic value of Talbot County rivers are indisputable, but the lessons from the River Roundtable indicate that these rivers can no longer be taken for granted as a static asset that is self sustaining. Like other living things, the rivers must be nurtured and tended, which requires human and financial resources.
Panelists strongly advised local conservation organizations to organize and form a coalition for stimulating action on measures that protect and improve the quality of our waterways. While many of these organizations share similar values and missions, they often must compete for scarce resources to advance their cause. Dr. Ernst pointed out that an organization's greatest asset for accomplishing environmental goals is the number of constituents who take action by calling or writing their government representatives - not money.
The Talbot River Protection Association plans to take these recommendations seriously and to work with similar organizations to educate and gently persuade local citizens to take a stand on issues that will have a positive impact on our local waterways.
TRPA News
The following are activities carried out by TRPA in recent weeks:- Attended a public hearing hosted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources on a proposal to increase by 10% waters open for power dredging of oysters. The proposed areas include Poplar Island, Eastern Bay, Harris Creek, and the Miles River. TRPA sent a letter to DNR opposing the increase because of the adverse ecological impact on the few remaining oysters. The proposal was eventually withdrawn primarily due to the strong opposition of environmental groups.
- Sent a letter to the Talbot County Council recommending that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be required to assess and mitigate the ecological impact to the Miles River Watershed of the proposed runway extension at the Easton Municipal Airport. The proposed extension will directly impact Goldsborough Creek, a tributary of the Miles River. A finding of No Significant Environmental Impact (FONSI) or an EIS are the options before a final decision on the runway extension can be made. A final decision is expected in 2006.
- Attended a public meeting hosted by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to review the Trappe Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) application for a discharge permit. During the meeting, it was revealed that the plant was not required to monitor or treat its total nitrogen effluent discharge. The primary reason cited was the low discharge volume of the plant. Discharge from the plant drains into LaTrappe Creek, which consistently measures below standards for nitrogen. TRPA sent a letter to MDE recommending a change in permit requirements for Trappe and similar WWTPs contiguous to the Bay. MDE responded by including a requirement to monitor for total nitrogen in the permit and will evaluate a requirement to treat for nitrogen in the effluent discharge.
- Attended a public information meeting, hosted by the Task Force on Capacity Across the Chesapeake Bay, to gather input from Eastern Shore residents about the proposal to build a 3rd bridge across the Bay. Potential sites for that bridge include Kent County, Queen Anne's County (adjacent to existing bridges), Talbot County (Tilghman Island), or Dorchester County. TRPA plans to work with our elected officials and other environmental groups to develop a consensus position about the proposal and in particular, about a potential Tilghman Island crossing.