Waterkeepers Sue Maryland Over Chesapeake
- by Brandon Fuller on Monday, December 7, 2009
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An alliance of Waterkeepers responsible for protecting the Anacostia, Potomac and Patuxent rivers are petitioning the Environmental Protection Agency to remove Maryland’s environmental oversight authority in light of the state’s failure to properly protect the Chesapeake Bay from pollution.
Ordinarily, the Environmental Protection Agency reserves oversight authority for state environmental activities. In some cases, the EPA can delegate that authority to state environmental agencies if the state proves it can properly enforce environmental regulations. The Waterkeepers believe Maryland has failed to meet this burden.
Currently, Maryland issues water-pollution permits for sewage plants, storm-sewer systems and factories. The Waterkeepers believe that the state has too few inspectors to properly enforce the permit provisions and that many violators are able to pollute by simply paying small fines.
The Maryland Department of the Environment believes they should continue to have oversight authority and that they have increased enforcement actions against polluters. The EPA says it will wait before commenting on the situation.
For more, read the Washington Post’s story
Photo Credit: Flickr CC User MEL810
About the Author
Brandon Fuller has written 178 stories on this site.
Brandon Fuller works at the intersection of environmental policy and communications. Currently, he publishes a blog on environmental issues and green living that has been featured in the Washington Post Express, Washingtonian.com, GreenPlanet.com and more. He is also a member of the advisory committee for CarbonFreeDC, a grassroots initiative dedicated to mobilizing DC-area residents to dramatically reduce local carbon emissions. He recently earned a law degree in environmental law and policy and has served as both a Law Clerk and Legislative Assistant for the State of Florida.
