From Clean Water Weak to Clean Water Strong

By STEVE BENDER

The sponsors and supporters of Clean Water Week call for action against agriculture, urban-borne and waste treatment pollutants that are killing life and livelihoods in the Chesapeake Bay.

 This is in response to the tragedy of our presence, as land-based activities pollute the water of the watershed. Whether through acts of arrogance and ignorance, or protecting private gain while disregarding our neighbors, one way or the other we citizens are all involved.

 Polluters public and private rarely pay the real costs of pollution impact whether from the spread of urban sprawl, chemicals or manure. We directly subsidize many polluters because they demand compensation to change behavior. We indirectly subsidize all polluters by deciding through inaction to let the Bay’s life blood – water – run as a common sewer.

 Obama’s administration has called for pollution-ending action from the states; O’Malley’s administration has called for direct local participation, responsibility and accountability. There is no more, “we participate, they decide.” This one is on us.

 Less pollution will demand some costs and change but also much less greed and protection of a few at the expense of the many. We each have a role to play. The situation is beyond calculations, machinations, and political brinksmanship, and at the threshold of us all moving forward to lessen polluting activities in regards to producing food, building towns and infrastructure, and managing waste.

 We must all pay and we will all benefit – greater economic opportunity, enhanced real estate values, improved public health, and conservation of natural resources.