Support the Watershed Implementation Plan

February 20, 2012 at 7:29 AM

By MIKE BROWN

     Maryland's Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) needs the full support of Eastern Shore residents who care about the health of our precious Chesapeake Bay.  While some improvements such as accountability measures and documentation of accelerated efforts will strengthen the WIP, it represents a substantial effort and commitment by all counties and stakeholders to capitalize on this last opportunity to bring our Bay back to the health we witnessed decades ago.
     Many Shore Republican lawmakers are throwing up every barrier they can think of to stop Bay restoration.  They complain of unfair discrimination against farmers, businesses, the Eastern Shore, and Maryland; the costs of cleanup; and that the scientific basis behind the pollution reduction goals is flawed or out of date.    
     The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) found that the Republican House of Representatives had its most anti-environment session in history, and that Andy Harris's voting record (9%) was among the worst.  He voted to gut the Clean Water Act, the EPA, and Bay cleanup efforts.  Harris lashed out calling the LCV a radical special interest group because he didn't want us hearing the facts.
     The future of our Eastern Shore depends on a cleaner and vibrant Bay.  Hundreds of thousands of jobs depend on it, as do the real estate, fishing, recreation, and tourism industries.  The time to finish the cleanup job is now.  Contact MDE and your legislators to urge them to support the WIP and its implementing legislation.
     You're right, Mr. Harris.  The LCV does represent special interests - ours, your constituents'. 

Please add a comment

Leave a Reply

Name:

Email:
(Your email will not be publicly displayed.)

Please type the letters and numbers shown in the image.