Environmental Summit Draws Broad Support for Green Agenda

For more information, contact:

• Jennifer Bevan-Dangel, Citizens’ Campaign for the Environment, 410-303-7954
• Tom Zolper, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 443-482-2066
• Dru Schmidt-Perkins, 1000 Friends of Maryland, 410-258-8601
• Brad Heavner, Environment Maryland, 410-227-8949
• Erik Michelsen, South River Federation, 410-212-3309
• Andy Galli, Clean Water Action, 443-631-0355
• Alana Wase, Sierra Club, 301-277-7111
• Cindy Schwartz, League of Conservation Voters, 240-535-6050

Annapolis - Environmental leaders today announced their legislative agenda for the 2010 session to a crowd of hundreds of supportive citizens from across Maryland.  Speakers encouraged the crowd to take action today to protect the green budget, promote transportation reform, and address polluted runoff.

Congressman Elijah Cummings (MD, Dist. 7) opened the event. His passionate remarks rallied the crowd to get involved and make a difference at the state and federal levels. “We understand what is harming the Bay - the nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediments that are destroying the Bay’s fragile ecosystem.   We have the science to understand and overcome this challenge.  Now, we must come together to demonstrate the political will,” said Congressman Cummings. 

“This event shows support for environmental reform both from key leaders in the State House and from people across Maryland.  Every year over 350 people come to this event to learn about the issues and send a clear message that protecting our air, land, water, and people matters,” said Jennifer Bevan-Dangel, Chair of the Citizens Campaign of the Environment.  “It is invigorating that our federal partners have now truly engaged in this effort, while we are here pushing for state-level reform.”

One of the critical issues for the 2010 general assembly is funding for the green budget.  “The Governor has funded several key programs, including open space preservation and bay restoration funds, knowing that investment will pay off for both the environment and the economy. We will fight to make sure that funding isn't cut, and that state employees involved in those programs don't lose their jobs, a loss that neither the state nor the environment can afford," said Alison Prost, Maryland Office Attorney with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

A second priority, to promote smarter transportation investments, would ensure that state funds are spent in the most efficient manner.  “Especially in this time of tight budgets, we need to make sure we’re spending our transportation dollars wisely,” said Brad Heavner, State Director of Environment Maryland.

“We will be advancing legislation that would evaluate our transportation investments against clear criteria, ensuring that our transportation system becomes one that is taking us in the right direction,” explained Dru Schmidt-Perkins, Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Maryland.

The third priority focused on protecting and restoring local waters and the Chesapeake Bay.  “At a time when we must reduce pollution from every source, polluted runoff from our parking lots and roofs is the only source that is actually increasing.  Across the state, it will take $20 billion to fix our developed areas and repair our streams.  And every new office building or home that is built contributes to the problem,” said Erik Michelsen, Executive Director of the South River Federation. 

“We must start investing in our urban and suburban areas through a dedicated fund or we will never be able to clean our communities and our local streams.  And we must stand strong against attempts to weaken regulations that are essential to protect against future pollution and destruction of our water resources,” said Andy Galli, Maryland Program Coordinator with Clean Water Action.

Alana Wase, Conservation Coordinator with the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter, closed out the event with a final call to action.  “Coming here tonight was a critical first step, but the work is just beginning.  We have only 76 days to make a difference in this year’s legislature, and we will make it happen only with your continued involvement.”

The environmental community will track other legislation this session in addition to the priority issues mentioned tonight.  Other issues will include:

• Public disclosure of energy use in buildings;
• Creating a comprehensive energy plan;
• Keeping farmers farming through estate tax reform;
• Investing in our historic places through the Sustainable Communities Tax Credit;
• Stopping coal ash from contaminating our water;
• Promoting renewable energy;
• Accountability through reporting for pesticide and fertilizer use; and
• Keeping children safe from toxics such as Bisphenol A.

“Every session there are hundreds of bills that ensure the protection of our air, land, water, and people.  We will follow them closely and keep the legislators and the citizens informed as the issues develop,” said Cindy Schwartz, Executive Director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters.

Congressman Cummings, along with Senator Ben Cardin, has introduced landmark legislation in Congress that will lead to the ultimate clean-up and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The Chesapeake Clean Water Act will provide new resources and regulatory muscle to substantially reduce nutrient pollution throughout the 64,000 square-mile watershed. The legislation will strengthen many of Maryland’s restoration programs and further the aims of this year’s state legislative agenda.  

Citizens attending the event, held at the Key Auditorium at St John’s College, signed postcards to leave with their legislators showing their support for the environmental agenda.