County News / Environment
Baltimore City Council Delays Action on Plastic Bag Ban Pending Further Bag Fee Discussions

A Baltimore Sun article (2019-09-23) reported that a Baltimore City Council committee delayed sending a  proposed retailer plastic bag ban to a full Council vote due to ongoing discussions on the appropriate fee for paper bags and how much of the fee should go to the retailers. The article stated that the proposed ban was introduced over this summer and included a ban on plastic bags and a 5-cent fee for other bags. The bill provided that…

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September 27, 2019
Read more about the article Prince George’s Launches Road Sign Clean Up As Part of “Beautification Initiative”
Environment / Transportation and Public Works
Prince George’s Launches Road Sign Clean Up As Part of “Beautification Initiative”

A Washington Post article (2019-09-23) reported that Prince George's County will seek to remove 5,000 illegal road signs over two days. The removal is part of County Executive Angela Alsobrooks's "beautification initiative," which targets illegal dumping and bulk trash removal. Litter has been a long-standing problem in the County. The article that the initiative is being carried out by the County's Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement along with the Department of Public Works and Transportation, the Department…

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September 25, 2019
Read more about the article Learn How Businesses Can Help Combat the Opioid Epidemic at Sharing Solutions Event
Business Affairs / Health and Human Services
Learn How Businesses Can Help Combat the Opioid Epidemic at Sharing Solutions Event

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the United States Chamber of Commerce Foundation to host a short workshop on how businesses can help combat the opioid crisis. The Foundation is offering the workshop in 10 cities nationwide and Maryland was selected as one of the event sites. The event is titled "Sharing Solutions Maryland: Opioids and the Workforce" and will take place from 8:30 am - 10:30 am at the Hilton Garden Inn…

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September 23, 2019
Read more about the article Registration Open For Local Government Energy Efficiency Workshops Hosted by Sustainable Maryland
Environment / Planning and Zoning
Registration Open For Local Government Energy Efficiency Workshops Hosted by Sustainable Maryland

Sustainable Maryland is hosting a series of leadership training workshops in November on local government energy efficiency policies. The workshops are titled "Municipal Energy Efficiency: Meeting the Climate Deadline" and are open to county officials. From an email notice: The Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland will host Sustainable Maryland's annual Leadership Training workshops in November. This training series fosters leadership skills to engage diverse stakeholders, reduce contention, and garner support for sustainability…

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September 20, 2019
Read more about the article Still Time to Get Tickets for “Taste of the Chesapeake” Event
Environment
Still Time to Get Tickets for “Taste of the Chesapeake” Event

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is holding its annual "Taste of the Chesapeake" event on Thursday, September 26, from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm at the Crowne Plaza Annapolis Hotel. The event includes local food and drink, a silent auction, and an environmental leadership awards ceremony. From the event's webpage: Join the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay at our annual Taste of the Chesapeake for an evening of unique Chesapeake-inspired cuisine, local beer and…

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September 20, 2019
Read more about the article Carroll County Approves $1 Million For Stormwater Management Projects
County News / Environment / Transportation and Public Works
Carroll County Approves $1 Million For Stormwater Management Projects

A Stormwater Solutions article (2019-09-16) reported that the Carroll County Board of Commissioners designated almost $1 million to retrofit a stormwater management marsh at Shiloh Middle School and acquire three acres to expand a separate stormwater pond. The article indicated that the County awarded $958,300 to W.F. Delauter & Sons retrofit the marsh. From the article: Built in 2003, the marsh is no longer in compliance with storm water standards, Janet O’Meara, county watershed management…

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September 19, 2019
Read more about the article Washington County Planning Commission Offers Recommendations on Solar Siting
Agriculture / County News / Environment / Planning and Zoning
Washington County Planning Commission Offers Recommendations on Solar Siting

A Herald-Mail Media article (2019-09-12) reported that the Washington County Planning Commission has offered recommendations on how to incentivize large solar projects on industrial spaces instead of prime farmland. The recommendations touched on tax breaks, requiring the use of buried transmission lines, and wildlife corridors. The County is seeking to revise its zoning for utility-scale (more than 2 megawatts) solar projects after a recent Maryland Court of Appeals decision found that the State, through the Public Service…

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September 18, 2019
Read more about the article Study Finds Sunscreen Chemicals, Antibiotics, & Endocrine-Disrupting Hormones in Chesapeake Oysters
Environment / Health and Human Services
Study Finds Sunscreen Chemicals, Antibiotics, & Endocrine-Disrupting Hormones in Chesapeake Oysters

A Bay Journal article (2019-09-11) reported that researchers from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County have found ultraviolet (IV) ray filtering chemicals from sunscreen products, as well as antibiotics and endocrine-disrupting hormones in Chesapeake Bay oysters. The findings present another challenge to oyster and Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts and raise human health concerns. The article noted that the contaminants are introduced into the water system through shower and sink drains and end up in both Bay water…

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September 13, 2019
Read more about the article MAFSM Hosting 15th Annual Conference on Stormwater & Floodplain Management
Environment / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
MAFSM Hosting 15th Annual Conference on Stormwater & Floodplain Management

The Maryland Association of Floodplain and Stormwater Managers (MAFSM) is hosting its 15th Annual Conference on Thursday, November 7, 2019, at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum Heights, Maryland. The Conference will include a variety of stormwater and floodplain management sessions. In addition to the full conference on November 7, interested individuals can also register for a floodplain management training class on November 6 and the Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) exam on November 8. The training…

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September 13, 2019
Read more about the article MACo Needs County Participants for Renewable Energy Siting Advisory Committee
Agriculture / Environment / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works
MACo Needs County Participants for Renewable Energy Siting Advisory Committee

Currently there are three separate workgroups looking at renewable energy siting issues (primarily solar and wind) in Maryland and the work of these groups will likely result in legislation or policy changes that will directly affect local land use planning and taxing authority. MACo is active on all three of these workgroups and is seeking interested county participants to serve on a Renewable Energy Siting Advisory Committee that will help guide MACo's positions on this…

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September 13, 2019
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