A Message from Governor Martin O'Malley

Dear Friends,

With only days left this Legislative Session, we are optimistic that we can continue to move forward to restore the Chesapeake Bay. Our legislators are making progress on measures that address key elements of our Bay restoration strategy, and we are striving to resolve the remaining issues by the end of the session.

The House of Delegates has passed two important measures that will greatly improve our ability to meet nutrient reduction limits by 2025 - increased funding for the Bay Restoration Fund that pays for upgrading the technology at our wastewater treatment plants, and creation of stormwater utilities in our largest counties to retrofit urban areas that were built before stormwater management techniques were used.

The Maryland Senate has passed the Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012, which will help slow down the addition of new septic systems that would otherwise increase nitrogen pollution of the Bay by up to 31% from this source over the next 25 years.

We are encouraged by the action on these bills and are continuing to work together with our legislators to advance these and other measures including the offshore wind energy bill that will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. As we head into the final days of the 2012 legislative session, thank you for your continued support of our joint efforts to protect and restore the Bay we all love.

Sincerely,
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