A Washington Post article (2018-01-14) reported that Adam Ortiz, the head of Prince George’s County Department of the Environment will be taking over Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection. Ortiz has been credited with transforming Prince George’s County into a top recycler and launching several innovative programs on behalf of the County, including the development of a large-scale composting facility, an online litter tracking tool, and a unique public private partnership with minority businesses to address stormwater runoff.

The article stated that Ortiz was attracted to the progressive environmental vision of new Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. Ortiz also earned praise from Elrich, former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker, and current Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. From the article:

“We achieved the things we set out to do,” Ortiz, who lives in Hyattsville, said in an interview. “It’s time to grow.” …

“I feel lucky to bring him over here,” Elrich said. …

Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks (D), who took office when Elrich did, had asked Ortiz to stay on. Her spokesman, John Erzen, said Alsobrooks appreciates the work Ortiz did and wants the county to continue to be a leader on the environment.

The article noted that Ortiz would need to be confirmed by the Montgomery County Council.

The article also described the ongoing debate in Prince George’s County about having a once-a-week or twice-a-week trash pickup schedule and provided further details on some of Ortiz’s innovative programs during his tenure at Prince George’s.