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Parris Glendening on Environment
Former Democratic MD Governor
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$955 million for public tranist & Smart Growth initiatives
We must take the next dramatic steps to make Smart Growth a permanent fixture on Maryland’s landscape.- We will create a “Smart Growth Clearing House,” a one-stop information center for builders, planners, environmentalists, farmers, and others who
want to incorporate Smart Growth into their initiatives.
- We will also advance the Smart Growth / Anti-Sprawl ethic with a $750 million investment in public transportation. Our goal is to double Transit ridership by the year 2020.
- We will also
launch a new “Community Legacy” program with an initial commitment of $15 million. This program--modeled after Rural Legacy-will fill in funding gaps in existing programs to revitalize targeted neighborhoods.
- We will expand our efforts to focus on
Community Parks & Playgrounds with a 3-year, $45 million initiative.
- [We propose a] 5-year, $145 million investment in Maryland’s “Green Print”. We will do more to preserve large tracts of open space, and work to connect already preserved lands.
Source: 2001 State of the State speech to Maryland legislature
, Jan 8, 2001
More state autonomy on brownfields & Superfund cleanups.
Glendening adopted the National Governors Association position paper:
The Issue
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), otherwise known as Superfund, was created to clean up the worst hazardous waste sites across the country and to recoup expenses from responsible parties. Since the law was enacted in 1980, the Superfund program has caused significant amounts of litigation, while cleanup of hazardous waste sites has not been as fast or effective as the statute envisioned. In addition, states have not had the necessary tools or funding from the federal government to adequately clean up state sites. “Brownfields” sites—abandoned or undeveloped non-Superfund industrial or commercial sites under state jurisdiction—have gained increasing attention from Congress in recent years as passage of a comprehensive Superfund package has become increasingly unlikely.
NGA’s Position
NGA supports the reauthorization of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. NGA policy calls for more opportunities for states to take authority for cleanup of National Priorities List (NPL) sites, increased autonomy and funding over brownfield sites, and the concurrence of a Governor before a site can be listed on the NPL.
Source: National Governors Association "Issues / Positions" 01-NGA15 on Aug 1, 2001
Support State Revolving Loan Fund for flexible Clean Water.
Glendening adopted the National Governors Association position paper:
The Issue
The Clean Water Act (CWA) has not been reauthorized since 1987. At that time, provisions were added to address nonpoint source pollution, pollution from diffuse sources such as runoff of fertilizers and pesticides, stormwater runoff, and sediment. Governors and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) disagree on the best approach to addressing the problem of nonpoint source pollution.
NGA’s Position
NGA supports the reauthorization of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 (the Clean Water Act). The Governors support an increased focus on watershed management planning, including funding for the State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) and nonpoint source pollution programs. States should have the flexibility to develop plans for attaining federally approved water quality standards in impaired waters - in consultation with local government officials and stakeholders - and to allocate responsibility for cleanup among contributors. The TMDL regulations should be revised, by legislation if necessary, to give states adequate flexibility, funding, and time to address impaired waters.
Source: National Governors Association "Issues / Positions" 01-NGA9 on Aug 1, 2001
Supports national drought policy, focusing on readiness.
Glendening signed the Southern Governors' Association resolution:
- Whereas, the recent severe drought conditions throughout the South have created life-threatening situations as well as financial burdens for both government and individuals, and drought conditions are expected to persist in several states in the South;
- Whereas, the effects of drought build up and last for several years and, therefore, government programs to address other natural disasters are not well suited to prepare for or respond to droughts;
- Whereas, extremely dry conditions have led to numerous forest and rangeland fires, burning tens of thousands of acres of land, destroying homes and communities and eliminating critical habitats for wildlife;
- Whereas, the impacts of drought follow no political boundary and drought assistance programs occur at both state and federal levels of government, making it essential to cooperatively plan for and implement measures that will provide relief from current drought situations and
prepare for future drought emergencies;
- Whereas, a national drought policy is needed, and the National Drought Policy Commission (NDPC) has issued a report emphasizing moving from relief to readiness; now, therefore, be it
- Resolved, the southern governors call upon the Congress to adopt a coordinated, integrated national drought program that
- emphasizes preparedness over insurance, insurance over relief, and incentives over regulation;
- coordinates drought programs and response between federal and nonfederal entities by creating a coordinating council with meaningful participation by regionally-balanced nonfederal representation, and that this council continue to identify and close gaps in the availability of federal programs in different regions; and
- includes a crop insurance program that would make it practicable and prudent for all types of farmers in all areas of the country to obtain coverage.
Source: Resolution of Southern Governor's Assn. on NDPC 01-SGA10 on Sep 9, 2001
Maintain water flow in Mississippi & Missouri Rivers.
Glendening signed the Southern Governors' Association resolution:
- Whereas, the flow of commerce on the Mississippi River is essential to the economic welfare of the nation;
- Whereas, the USDA reports that 70% of the nation’s total grain exports were handled through Mississippi River port elevators;
- Whereas, free movement of water-borne commerce on the Inland Waterway System is critical to the delivery of goods to deep-water ports for international trade;
- Whereas, the reliability of adequate flows for navigation is a key requirement for fulfillment of delivery contracts, employment in ports and terminals, and energy efficiency;
- Whereas, delays and stoppages would threaten the successful implementation of international trade agreements under NAFTA and GATT;
- Whereas, the Missouri River contributes up to 65% of the Mississippi River flow at St. Louis during low water conditions;
- Whereas, reduction of Missouri River flows above St. Louis would result in more frequent
and more costly impediments to the flow of commerce on the Mississippi River;
- Whereas, the reach of the Mississippi River between St. Louis and Cairo, Illinois is at highest risk for delays and stoppages of navigation because of low-water conditions; and
- Whereas, the US Army Corps of Engineers is considering several proposed alterations to the current edition of the Master Water Control Manual for the Missouri River that would reduce support of water-borne commerce by restricting the flow of the river during the summer and fall, low-water period at St. Louis; now, therefore, be it
- Resolved, That the Southern Governors’ Association would strongly oppose any alterations that would have such an effect and would urge the Corps to consult with affected inland waterway states prior to endorsing any proposal that would alter the current edition of the manual.
Source: Resolution of Southern Governor's Assn. on Mississippi River 01-SGA14 on Feb 27, 2001
Maintain joint EPA-state authority over nuclear waste.
Glendening adopted a letter to Senate leaders from 4 Governors:
On behalf of the nation’s Governors we write in opposition to provisions contained in the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1999. Specifically, we object to Section 103, which removes authority from the EPA to set radiation protection standards at the proposed high-level nuclear waste storage facility. Section 103 is in direct conflict with NGA’s Policy NR-8,Environmental Compliance at Federal Facilities, which was unanimously reaffirmed at the Governors’ annual meeting in August. NGA policy NR-8 is based on the premise that
The problems of environmental cleanup and compliance at federal facilities are deep-rooted. Contamination and environmental degradation are the result of years of mismanagement and neglect. They reflect noncompliance with federal policies, unclear or inadequate laws and regulations, institutional attitudes that devalue environmental concerns, and the reluctance of federal agencies to work with federal and state regulators.
NGA policy NR-8 recommends that Congress should amend applicable federal laws to ensure that all wastes, including radioactive wastes and munitions, are within the purview of state and EPA authorities. Efforts should be made to coordinate all federal requirements. In addition, Congress should require that all quasi-federal sovereign businesses and corporations meet the same environmental compliance standards as other federal agencies.
Section 103 removes EPA authority to set radiation standards at the proposed high-level nuclear waste storage facility and is contrary to the NGA policy recommendation that both EPA and states should have authority over radioactive wastes. It is a disturbing precedent that could lead to further dilution of state and EPA authority to set environmental standards at federal facilities and coordinate eventual clean-up activities in all 50 states.
Source: National Governor's Association letter to Congress 99-NGA22 on Oct 21, 1999
Page last updated: Nov 23, 2011