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Larry Hogan on Environment
Republican Maryland Governor
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Coastal bays program scores "B-", in positive trend
Maryland's Coastal Bays have received their highest grade ever reported according to the new 2017 Coastal Bays Report Card from the Maryland Coastal Bays Program, a snapshot assessment on the health and resiliency of the coastal bays surrounding Ocean
City & Assateague Island. The "B-" grade reflects the positive trend nutrient reductions have shown in many locations since 1999."Maryland's Coastal Bays are an integral part of our region, and are unique ecological treasures in the landscape of the
Eastern Shore and our great state," Governor Hogan said. "The marked improvement we see in the bays' health is the result of significant state investment, as well as the work and dedicated stewardship of many Marylanders."
The bays' health is
defined as the progress of four water quality indicators and two biotic indicators toward scientifically derived ecological thresholds or goals. The six indicators are combined into one coastal bays health index, presented as a report card score
Source: Sept. 2018 newsletter (MD Governor's office press release)
, Sep 1, 2018
Reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment in Chesapeake Bay
We have been leading with bold initiatives to safeguard our environment:- We successfully negotiated a compromise phosphorus management solution, which was a huge step toward protecting the Chesapeake Bay.
- We invested the most ever in the
Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, and again this year, we are fully funding bay restoration efforts.
- We restored $60 million previously drained from Program Open Space.
- And, after years of the problem being ignored, we are finally
seeking innovative and cost-effective solutions to reduce the sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus pollution which flows down the Susquehanna River over the Conowingo Dam and which is a serious threat to the Chesapeake Bay.
- Just a few months ago on its
latest annual report card, the Chesapeake Bay received its highest score for water quality in nearly a quarter century. The amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment in the bay has dropped dramatically compared to recent years.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Maryland Legislature
, Feb 1, 2017
Page last updated: Dec 15, 2019