Environmental Activist Calendar

January

Chesapeake Bay Environmental Enforcement Coalition

The US Attorney for Maryland, Lynn Battaglia, has announced the formation of a coalition of all the local, state and federal environmental law enforcement agencies. "The purpose of the coalition is to give the public a single point of contact
to report environmental violations,"
said Assistant US Attorney, Michael Cunningham. "All people have to do is call one telephone number and the report will get to the proper agency."

To contact the US Attorney's office by snail mail OR to get more information about the Coalition, write: The US Atttorney for Maryland, US Department of Justice, #101 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. Or call 410-209-4800.

To report an environmental
problem or violation call, toll-free in Maryland, 1-800-377-5879.

MDE Water Quality Standards Hearings

In accordance with Federal Clean Water Act Regulations (40CFR ¤131.20), the Maryland Department of the Environment is holding public hearings on January 19, 21 and 26 for the purpose of reviewing applicable Water Quality Standards set forth in the Code of Maryland Regulations. These standards consist of three parts: (1) designated uses, (2) water quality criteria to protect designated uses and (3) an Antidegradation Policy.

Designated Uses

Maryland regulations specify seven different designated uses for waters of the state. These include:

* Use I Water Contact Recreation and Protection of Aquatic Life

* Use I-P Same as I but also can provide a public water supply

* Use II Shellfish Harvesting Waters

* Use III Natural Trout Waters

* Use III-P Same as III but also can
provide a public water supply

* Use IV Recreational Trout Waters (Potential to support trout/stocked by DNR)

* Use IV-P Same as IV but also can
provide a public water supply

Water Quality Criteria

Each category of state waters has
specific water quality criteria associated with it including numbers for general water
quality, bacteriological, dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, turbidity and toxic
substance criteria.

Antidegradation

Where waters possess an existing quality better than the standards
established for them, that wate quality will be maintained. Maryland is also considering adption of a new designation, "Outstanding National Resource Water", described in the Clean Water Act as "Tier 3" and is seeking comments on this
new designation.

Copies of Maryland's Water Quality Standards may be obtained by contact Mark Jacobs by writing him at Maryland Department of the Environment, #2500 Broening Highway, Baltimore, Maryland 21224. Or call Mark Jacobs at
410-631-4492. Copies are also available at the Easton and Hagerstown libraries.

6 WED

Environmental Issue Forum - BALTIMORE COUNTY 7:30pm - Oregon Ridge Nature Center: Contact Erica Parker at 410-661-7484

"Y2K and Accidental Chemical Release" - Talk by Fred Millar of the DC Local Emergency Planning Committee. 12 noon - Conference Room 11C, Crystal Gateway #1. For more information email Jim Fary at Fary.Jim@epamail.epa.gov

9 SAT

Maryland Conservation Council monthly meeting at United Church of Christ of Annapolis. 9am Coffee and donuts. 9:30am general meeting begins. Presentations by Neal Fitzpatrick, Dan Pontious and Chris Bedford on legislative issues before General Assembly. Take Route 50 to Exit 22(Route 665) in Annapolis. Exit on Route 665. Go on Route 665 to the second exit, the intersection with Route 2. Stay in left/center lane.
Go straight across Route 2 Turn immediately left and then right into church parking lot. The church is on corner of Route 665 and Route 1.

Maryland Sierra Club BUDGET & STRATEGIC PLANNING MTG. 3-7pm at United Church of Christ in Annapolis. Take Route 50 to Route 665 in Annapolis. Exit on Route 665. Go on Route 665 to the intersection with Route 2. Turn right onto Route 2 and then immediately turn left onto the little road next to the church. The church is on corner of Route 665 and Route 1.

16 SAT

Maryland Sierra Club Conservation and Excom Meeting. 10-12noon Conservation Meeting. 12noon-4pm Excom Meeting. Maryland

18 MON

Maryland Environmental Summit. 2-5 pm - Joint Hearing Room in Legislative Service Building, Annapolis. This is a statewide meeting for all environmental activists to listen to and discuss environmental issues before the General Assembly. There will be a reception from 5-7pm on the third floor, Senate Office Buidling. For more information contact Laurel Imlay at
301-277-7111 or 410-813-2225.

19 TUE

MDE Water Quality Standards Public Hearing - 4-7:30pm - Chesapeake Room, (2nd Floor) Maryland Department of the Environment, #2500 Broening Highway, Baltimore. For more information call Michael Haire at 410-631-4492. [SEE BOX ON THIS PAGE]

20 WED

National Harbor Draft Environmental Impact Statement Public Hearing. 7pm - -Oxon HIll High School, #6701 Leyete Drive, Oxon Hill.

21 THU

Environmental Issue Forum - BALTIMORE CITY 7pm - Govan's Presbytarian Church #5828 York Road. Contact Dan Pontius at
410-467-0439

MDE Water Quality Standards Public Hearing - 6:30-8:30pm - Talbot County Free Library, #100 West Dover Street, Easton. For more information call Michael Haire at
410-631-4492.

25 MON

Environmental Issue Forum - HOWARD COUNTY 7:30 pm - East Columbia Library, #6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. Contact Vivian Newman at 410-442-5639.

Environmental Issue Forum - SOUTHERN MARYLAND 7:30 pm - Conference Room at Southern Maryland Electrical Cooperative in Hughesville. For more information contact: Donna Cave at 301-932-7249 in the evening before 9 pm.

26 TUE

MDE Water Quality Standards Public Hearing - 7-9 pm - Room 113, Washington County Office Building, #100 West Washington Street, Hagerstown. For more information call Michael Haire at 410-631-4492.

27 WED

Environmental Issue Forum - MONTGOMERY COUNTY 7pm - Bethesda/Chevy Chase Service Center, #4805 Edgemore Lane, Bethesda. Contact Neal Fitzpatrick at
301-652-9188 Ex. 3032.

28 THU

Environmental Issue Forum - LOWER EASTERN SHORE 7pm - Stephan Decatur Middle School, Berlin. Contact Assateague Coastal Trust at 410-629-1059.

31 SUN

Chapman Forest Victory Celebration. 1-5 pm. - Bryans Road Volunteer Fire Department. Bryans Road. Event will celebrate the saving of all of Chapman Forest and will include thanks to elected officials and guided hikes into Chapman Forest. To help out or for more information contact: Alex Winter or Bonnie Bick at 301-283-2948. Or email them at foma@radix.net.

February

2 TUE

Environmental Issue Forum - CAROLINE COUNTY 7pm - Caroline County Library in Denton. Contact Nick Carter at 410-482-6729.

4 THU

Environmental Issue Forum - ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY 7:30pm - Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Annapolis. Room C-1. Contact Joan Willey at
410-267-0716.

9 TUE

Environmental Issue Forum - PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY 7pm - Sierra Club/Maryland Chapter Office - Suite 101A/#7338 Baltimore Avenue, College Park. Contact Laurel Imlay at 301-277-7111.

12-13 FRI-SAT

Maryland Conservation Council monthly meeting at United Church of Christ of Annapolis. 9am for coffee and donuts. 9:30am General Meeting begins. Take Route 50 to Exit 22(Route 665) in Annapolis. Exit on Route 665. Go on Route 665 to the second exit, the intersection with Route 2.Stay in left/center lane. Go straight across Route 2 Turn immediately left and then right into church parking lot. The church is on corner of Route 665 and Route 1.

"Designing Sustainable Food Systems" - Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture 8th Annual Farming for the Future Conference - Penn Statler Hotel and Conference Center in State College, Pennsylvania. Conference will focus on alternatives to factory animal production. Conference fee $60 for PASA members/$85 for non-members. To receive a registration brochure, email your
mailing address to PASA at lxs47@psu.edu

15 MON

Environmental Lobby Day. Citizens from across the state come together to meet and lobby their elected officials. It is easy and fun. The specific times and location will be set in January. For more information, contact Laurel Imlay at
301-277-7111 or 410-813-2225.

17 WED

Chesapeake Bay Environmental Enforcement Coalition. Second meeting of this law enforcement effort convened by US Attorney for Maryland. For more information contact: Warren Hamel at 410-209-4892.Or email him at Warren.Hamel@justice.usdoj.gov

The Sierra Club Newsletter Online is brought to you by the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club.

Last modified: Mon, Jan 4, 1999