Senate Bill Number: SB 969

House Bill Number: HB 1165

Vision: 

This legislation will provide the direction, authority – and funding - needed to ensure this coordinated approach to watershed restoration is informed by science and data. The bill will establish a pilot program to identify up to 5 impaired watersheds across Maryland. Watersheds selected for the program will be subject to a comprehensive planning and permitting process bringing together all relevant stakeholders to improve water quality on an expedited timeline using a variety of practices.The goal of the program is to make real, measurable progress in water quality on an expedited timeline.

Bill Sponsors:  

                                   Senator Sara K. Elfreth                                                                   Delegate Sara N. Love

If Passed, What Would this Bill Do? 

1. Establish a pilot program to identify up to 5 impaired watersheds across Maryland.

2. Direct state financial and technical resources to these 5 watersheds for concentrated focus on water quality improvement projects in those geographic regions to accelerate outcomes.

3. $20M in prioritized State funding toward 5 whole watershed restoration projects over 5 years.

4. Watersheds will represent different geographic and land use types, prioritization for EJ communities

5. Focus on watersheds that present opportunities for most significant impact on a (relatively) expedited timeline

6. Requirement of multiple co-benefits to support the health of the whole watershed & community

7. State Management Team consisting of multiple State agencies, local experts, and more to select projects, monitor and support progress, and expedite the permitting process

8. New certification for developers & contractors who complete restoration projects to ensure quality

Take Action:

• Visit mdelect.net and enter your address to look up your state representatives and their contact information.
• Use this Phone Script to call your legislators! You’d be amazed by how important your voice is to your local legislator.
• Email your legislators, using the phone script above for some talking points. Phone calling is more impactful though.
  
  

Summary: Watersheds selected for the program will be subject to a comprehensive planning and permitting process bringing together all relevant stakeholders to improve water quality on an expedited timeline using a variety of practices. The goal of the program is to rapidly (on a 5-7 year timeline) remove selected watersheds from the impaired waterways list.

Maryland Legislative Briefing

Click here to register! On Sunday Feb 4th, Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake, along with our ally Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVA), will kick off the 2024 legislative session with a special virtual program highlighting 2 pieces of priority legislation; Climate and Environmental and Equity Act, Whole Watersheds, and EMPOWER reform!

Want to do more?

Join our Advocacy Volunteers in making a real difference for our shared home.

*Our Advocacy Volunteers receive Action Alerts every two weeks throughout the spring Legislative Session, featuring MD priority legislation updates, coordinated calls to action, and notices of national or other local policy activism.  Please complete your address information so that we can share those policies and efforts most relevant to your geographic location.