by Susan Woods

Governor Parris N. Glendeningand Speaker of the House CasperR. Taylor, Jr. last month celebratedthe redevelopment of the formerCSX Bolt and Forge property in theRolling Mill section ofCumberland, Allegany County, witha ribbon-cutting for a new super-market and shopping center. “What was once the site of acontaminated vacant lot and formermanufacturing facility will soon bea thriving retail center for thecitizens of Cumberland,” GovernorGlendening said. “This is theessence of Smart Growth.” The new shopping center –owned by Ahold USA of Atlanta –features a 55,000-square footMartin’s Food that will employ anestimated 240 people. The newsupermarket, which is owned byGiant Food of Carlisle, PA, is

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Volume III, No. 4

expected to open later this month. “If anyone questions the benefits ofSmart Growth policies or the

Brownfields program, they shouldcome here to Cumberland — to thissite,” said Speaker Taylor. “Not too

Glendening Celebrates Redevelopment ofCSX Bolt Fabrication Site

House Speaker Casper Taylor (left), Governor Parris N. Glendening (center) andCumberland Mayor Edward C. Athey take a tour of Martin’s Food with Store

Manager Michael Golden.

Governor Declares Drought EmergencyCalls for Voluntary Water Conservation

Low- Sulfur MeansCleaner Air...................... page 3

Water Conservation Tipsfor Your Home................. page 3

Wastewater TreatmentPlants and BNR.............. page 4

Flood Relief forWestern Maryland........... page 5

IS YOUR ORGANIZATIONREPRESENTED?

Environmental EducationSupplement......................page 5

Ozone: An Houron the Air......................... page 5

For the Record................ page 6

Seasonal Tipsfor Clean Boating......... page 10

Enforcement andCompliance................... page 10

Meetings andHearings........................ page 11

Prompted by the most severedrought in more than 30 years,Governor Parris N. Glendeningtoday issued an Executive Orderdeclaring a statewide droughtemergency. The Governor calledupon all Marylanders to voluntarilyconserve water until a newlyappointed task force recommendsfurther measures, and announcedthat he would seek federal financialassistance for Maryland farmersadversely affected by the droughtand provide $3 million in Statefunds for agricultural relief. “This drought is a seriousproblem. But we do not intend tolet it become unmanageable,” said

Governor Glendening. “With watersupplies severely stressed across theState, and with forecasters predictingminimal relief, it is vital that we take acoordinated, comprehensive approach tothe drought on a statewide basis.” The Governor’s Executive Orderurges all Marylanders to take voluntarysteps to immediately reduce theirconsumption of water and take otheractions in response to the drought,including:

• Do not water flowers or grass;• Do not wash your car;• Do not wash paved surfaces such as sidewalks or patios;• Do not use water in ornamental

fountains, waterfalls or reflecting pools;• Refrain from outdoor burning;• And take other common sense measures. (see Side Bar) The Governor made theannouncement on the banks of thedrought-stricken Liberty Reservoir,which is owned by the City ofBaltimore. The Governor pointedout that Liberty Reservoir is morethan 24 feet below normal, thePretty Boy Reservoir is down morethan 18 feet, and Loch RavenReservoir is down 5 feet. “These three serve the Baltimore

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long ago, this property was littered withthe remnants of its industrial past andnow it will soon provide a brand newretail center for this community andmuch needed jobs.” Cumberland Mayor Edward C. Atheysaid that the project “will provideCumberland residents with a conve-nient, broader shopping area within easyreach. I am sure that the Martin’s FoodStore will be a success. I can’t thankGovernor Glendening enough for hissupport of this project.” The project was the first to apply forthe state’s Voluntary Cleanup Programand the first one to qualify for theBrownfields Property Tax Credit. CSX Transportation Inc. purchasedthe property in 1987 from Mount ClareProperty Inc., which had acquired theproperty in 1983 from the Baltimore andOhio Railroad. From 1920 to the early1970s, the site was used for steel boltfabrication and metal forging. Thebuildings on the property were demol-ished in the mid 1980s. Soils on the sitewere contaminated with volatile organicchemicals and petroleum hydrocarbons. In 1997, the Maryland Department ofthe Environment accepted CSX’sapplication for the site into the VoluntaryCleanup Program. In December of thatyear, a second application submitted byAhold Real Estate Company of Atlantawas approved. Ahold was seekinginculpable person status for the pur-

chase of 11.5 acres in the centersection to develop into a supermarketand shopping center. The inculpablestatus provisions are designed toencourage new investment in propertiesby significantly limiting the purchaser’sliability for environmental contamina-tion. “Projects such as this one reallyhighlight the advantages of a voluntaryapproach to cleaning up contaminatedsites,” Governor Glendening said. “Theproperty owner benefits from a stream-lined regulatory process that does notinvolve enforcement; the developer isencouraged to buy the property be-cause of environmental liability reliefand the community benefits from theaesthetics and economic boost ofredevelopment.” Since the start of the Voluntary

Cleanup/Brownfields program, 43properties have applied for partici-pation in the program. Thisrepresents approximately 1,174acres. Other program successesinclude the American Can Companyin Baltimore City, the EngineeredPolymer Solutions property inWashington County, and the 40West Auto Park property in Balti-more County. To date, six jurisdictions havesigned up to participate in theDepartment of Business andEconomic Development’sBrownfields Tax Credit program,including Allegany, Baltimore, andMontgomery counties; the cities ofBaltimore and Salisbury and theTown of Colmar Manor in PrinceGeorge’s County.

Smart Growth Success

Governor Glendening (center), CSX executives, Martin’s Food executives andstate and local officials participated in the ribbon cutting of Allegany County’s

newest shopping center.

Enforcement & ComplianceNotes

Bernard Penner, Office of the SecretaryContributors:

Angelo Bianca, ARMAFrank Courtright, ARMAFrank Whitehead, ARMA

Regina Rochez, WASJack Bowen,WMA

Parris N. Glendening, GovernorKathleen Kennedy Townsend, Lieutenant GovernorJane T. Nishida, Secretary of EnvironmentArthur Ray, Deputy SecretaryBob Hoyt, Assistant SecretarySusan E. Woods, Director of CommunicationsChristine F. Plummer, Managing Editor

Editorial Board MembersJohn Mitchell, Program Manager Environmental Permits Service CenterBob Maddox, Public Participation Coordina-tor, Air & Radiation ManagementJim George, Section Head,Technical & Regulatory Services AdministrationJudy Marsh, Outreach Coordinator, Water Management AdministrationJoe Herb, Graphic Artist, Technical & Regulatory Services AdministrationDon Mauldin, Administrative Specialist, Waste Management AdministrationBarbara Rodgers, Division Chief, Administrative & Employee ServicesPat Coll, Management Associate, Administrative & Employee Services

Contributing Writers:Shirley Garner, OC Carolyn Kuciara, TARSAFran Stierstorfer, OC Pat Coll, AESAQuentin Banks, OC Denise Brown, AESAGeorgia Allen, AESA John Verrico, WASMarya Levelev, WMA Bob Maddox, ARMATim Shepherd, ARMA Robert Hagans, AESABill Price, WAS Beth Valentine, DNR

Gregory McKibbin, TARSAChris Bivens, FPO

For the Record SectionMeetings and Hearings Calendar

Joane Mueller, Production Coord.Contributors:

MDEnvironment is a monthlynewspaper published by theMaryland Department of theEnvironment. Informationcontained within this publicationis not intended to fulfill any legalor regulatory community infor-mation requirement.

Gail Castleman, WAS Ta-Shon Yu, WMALorrie Del Pizzo, EPSC Jim Metz, WASChristy Kowalski, WMA Bob Maddox, ARMASheila Franklin, WMA Rick Trickett,WMA

Jeanette Wolfe, ARMAMelody Thrower, WMA

Send comments or inquiries to:MDEnvironment

Christine Plummer, Managing Editor2500 Broening Highway

Baltimore MD 21224cplummer@mde.state.md.us

(410) 631-3012

Drought Emergencycontinued from page 1...

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area and provide water to over 1.8million people in greater Baltimore,” saidGovernor Glendening. “The fact is, ifwater consumption continues at thecurrent rate, there is only a 35-daysupply in these reservoirs.” All across the state low rainfall hasproduced dangerously dry conditions.Flow in the Susquehanna River is downby two-thirds. In the Potomac River—which provides water to theWashington Metropolitan Region—flowis down by 50 percent. Over the past three years, Maryland’sprecipitation has been far below normal.The cumulative impact of these

conditions has resulted in farmers’crops and livestock being threatened;low water levels in several Baytributaries, resulting in large fish-kills;and twice as many wild fires as lastyear. Conditions have worsened to thepoint where the National WeatherService has declared that the Mid-Atlantic region is the most severelyimpacted part of the country. In addition to water supply concerns,the drought is having a serious impacton Maryland’s agricultural industry.The Governor’s Executive Orderprovides for $3 million in emergencyassistance for Maryland’s farmers.

“The money will help provide forsuch aid as cover crops and haydistribution,” said GovernorGlendening. “In addition, I havecontacted U.S. AgricultureSecretary Dan Glickman andreceived his assurance that he iswilling to work with us to securefederal assistance for our drought-stricken farmers.” In response to the drought, theGovernor appointed a DroughtEmergency CoordinatingCommittee, chaired by Maryland

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“The vehicle technology exists nowto greatly reduce pollution. Our fuelmust keep pace with this technology.Without low-sulfur fuel, we will missthe opportunity for emission reduc-

tions and ultimately good air quality.”

--John A. Paul, DirectorOhio Regional Air

Pollution Control Agency

by Bob Maddox

Gasoline hasmoved our world

since Henry Ford’s time. But not untilthe last 30 years have environmentalregulators looked seriously atgasoline’s content and its effect on theair. In the 1980s we removed lead. Inthe 1990s the focus was placed onreformulated gasoline which addedoxygenates to help reduce carbonmonoxide. And the future, accordingto new Environmental ProtectionAgency proposed standards,depends on changes in enginedesign, improvements in cata-lytic converters, and, onceagain, the reformulation of fuelsto reduce sulfur content. In 1998, the U.S. Environmen-tal Protection Agency (EPA)released information on theimpact of gasoline sulfur onvehicle emissions and whatgasoline producers can do toreduce sulfur’s impact onemissions. Sulfur dioxide, a by-product of fuel combustion, canconstrict breathing passages andirritate the lungs. Sulfur dioxide also isone of the main chemicals in airpollution that contributes to acid rain.Acid rain damages buildings, harmstrees and pollutes water. Gasoline sulfur also is detrimental toautomotive air pollution controls. Itpoisons catalytic converters used tocleanse tailpipe fumes, causingincreased emissions of nitrogenoxides, a precursor to the formation ofground-level ozone. “Sulfur ruins the catalysts incatalytic converter on newer model,low emission vehicles and doesn’tallow them to be fully efficient,”explained Tim Shepherd of MDE’smobile sources control program. Air pollution control regulatorsnationwide have concluded thatlimiting sulfur in gasoline is one of themost effective ways to reduce urbanair pollution. The State and TerritorialAir Pollution Program Administratorsand the Association of Local AirPollution Control Officials are urgingthe EPA to limit sulfur in gasolinenationally by January 1, 2003 to levelsalready established in California. California was the first state to

Low-sulfur Gasoline Means Cleaner Air

regulate the sulfur content in gasoline and California gasolinehas an average sulfur content of 30 to40 parts per million (ppm). Gasoline in most of the nation hasan average sulfur content of 330 ppm,but some levels are as high as 1,000ppm. Maryland and other states that formthe Ozone Transport Commission, anorganization of officials from northeaststates responsible for regional ozonecontrol plans, have called upon theEPA to adopt stringent gasoline sulfurlimits in the participating states. TheOzone Transport Commission wouldlike limits to be established by the endof 1999 and to be fully implementedby vehicle model year 2004. This

would give gasoline producers fiveyears to install the technology thatreduces sulfur content. The EPA has responded to concernsabout gasoline sulfur and is proposinga major national program of stricteremission standards and low sulfur fuelto significantly reduce emissions fromcars and light trucks, including sportutility vehicles (SUVs), minivans andpickup trucks. Under this proposalreferred to as Tier 2 standards,automakers would sell cleaner cars bymodel year 2004, and refineries wouldproduce low-sulfur gasoline fordistribution nationwide by calendaryear 2004 to fuel those cars. Under thecurrent standards, SUVs, minivans,and pickup trucks pollute three timesmore than cars. EPA believes new,more stringent emissions standards areneeded and that reducing sulfur ingasoline is technologically feasible andcost effective. “The low-sulfur fuel now being soldin the Atlanta [Georgia] area has asulfur content of about 150 parts permillion,” according to Ben Franco ofEPA’s Region IV office in Atlanta.“Officials in Birmingham [Alabama]are also thinking about using low-

sulfur gasoline. Birmingham iscurrently a marginal area for ozonenonattainment.” The American Petroleum Institute(API), the major national tradeassociation representing the petro-leum industry, supports the reductionof gasoline sulfur to improve airquality. The industry, however, isrecommending its own proposal forreducing sulfur only in regions thatare in non-attainment no later thanJanuary 1, 2004. To reduce gasolinesulfur, refineries would need to installnew desulfurization equipment. Thepetroleum industry wants a longerphase-in of regulations to developless expensive desulfurization

technology. API believes EPA’sproposal would impose highercosts to refiners and to consum-ers. “It will be a daunting chal-lenge to meet the proposedschedule,” says William F.O’Keefe, API executive vicepresident. “Many refiners willneed major engineering modifi-cations. It means gettingpermits, scheduling contractors,ordering equipment and com-pleting construction. There maynot be sufficient engineering andmanufacturing capacity to

accomplish the work as quickly asthe agency [EPA] has assumed.” John A. Paul, Director of theRegional Air Pollution ControlAgency in Ohio, challenges thepetroleum industry’s assertion aboutthe cost to consumers, forecastingthat the fuel innovations can beaccomplished for one to two cents agallon. “The vehicle technologyexists now to greatly reduce pollu-tion,” according to Paul. “Our fuelmust keep pace with this technology.Without low-sulfur fuel, we will missthe opportunity for emission reduc-tions and ultimately good air quality.” The widespread use of low-sulfurgasoline will be a helpful ozone airpollution control measure. Low-sulfur gasoline will allow automotivepollution controls to be more efficientin reducing harmful tailpipe emis-sions. Americans will breathecleaner air and enjoy a healthierenvironment.

For more information on alterna-tive fuels, new gasoline regulationsand cleaner air contact MDE’sMobile Sources Program at (410)631-3270

WaterConservation for

Your Home

• Turn off water when brushing teeth, shaving or shampooing.• Take shorter showers.• Use laundry and dishwashers only when loads are full.• If handwashing dishes, fill up a rinse water bucket instead of letting water run.• Installing water-saving devices in the home, such as a low- flow toilet or showerhead.• Check for leaks at inside and outside faucets.• Collect any available rain water from downspouts in a bucket for watering your garden.• Let grass go dormant. It will turn green again after the drought ends.• Use covers on pools to help keep water from evaporating.

Droughtcontinued from page 2...

Department of the EnvironmentSecretary Jane Nishida, to developrecommendations for potentialmandatory water conservationmeasures. The committee’srecommendations are expected byAugust 3. In addition to Secretary Nishida, thetask force members include: DNRSecretary Sarah Taylor-Rogers; Healthand Mental Hygiene SecretaryBenjamin Georges, MD; MarylandEmergency Management DirectorDavid McMillion; AgricultureSecretary Henry Virts, DVM; JohnMorton, Vice-President of the Mid-Atlantic Region for NationsBank; MikeHirshfield, Vice-President of theChesapeake Bay Foundation; andDutch Ruppersberger, BaltimoreCounty Executive. “I have asked the committee todevelop a phased-in, graduated seriesof steps we will take if droughtconditions continue to worsen,” saidGovernor Glendening. “I have seenMarylanders pull together as onecommunity under difficultcircumstances. Through blizzards,floods, and droughts, Marylandershave time and again proven that theyare ready, willing, and able to dowhatever is necessary.”

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by Marya Levelev

As of July 1999, 92 percentof the 65 wastewatertreatment plants in Mary-land identified as eligible to

obtain funding through the MarylandDepartment of the Environment’s(MDE) innovative biologic nutrientremoval program have either installedbiologic nutrient removal technologiesor have signed cost-share agreementswith MDE to do so. Of the fiveremaining wastewater treatmentplants, preliminary engineering studieswere completed for all five facilities inthe spring of 1999, with the expecta-tion that these plants will reach a flowof 500,000 gallons per day, theparticipation threshold, in the nearfuture. In creating the biologic nutrientremoval program in 1984, MDErecognized that the success of a Bay-wide nutrient reduction plan wouldrequire the full cooperation andparticipation of Maryland’s localgovernments. The experimental statusand the costly nature of biologicnutrient removal led to a voluntaryprogram where 50 percent statefunding provides an incentive to localgovernments to proceed with prelimi-nary engineering, pilot testing and full-scale biologic nutrient removal

implementation. The goal of the program is toimplement the Chesapeake BayAgreement’s nutrient reductionstrategy for point sources through 50percent cost-share funding biologicnutrient removal and chemicalremoval at all wastewater treatmentplants with flow equal or greater than500,000 gallons per day. The biologic nutrient removalprogram encourages the applicationof new, innovative, and preferablylow energy/low cost technologies toachieve advanced wastewatertreatment. Many biologic nutrientremoval techniques, which wereconsidered “innovative” during theearly years of this program, are nowstate of the art. A number of new systems arecurrently being field-testedincluding the Algae Turf Scrubberprocess installed at the FruitlandPlant, the Biolac system at Denton,the Ring Lace which was testedand now is being implemented atAnnapolis, and the use of plasticmedia in the trickling filters at theSalisbury plant. Members of Maryland’s Tributaryteams work with MDE and localelected officials to encourage imple-mentation of biologic nutrient removalat wastewater treatment plants. Just

WastewaterTreatment

in the past year, the Mayor and theCouncil of the City of Havre de Gracein the Upper Western Shore tributaryvoted in the fall of 1998 to proceedwith the design and construction ofbiologic nutrient removal upgrade. Themayor of the City of Elkton in theUpper Eastern Shore Tributary alsosigned a biologic nutrient removalagreement in June 1999 to initiatedesign of the biologic nutrient removalupgrade.

To address Pfiesteria, the schedulefor implementing biologic nutrientremoval statewide at the 65 targetedwastewater treatment plants arebeing expedited so that facilities arecompleted and operational withinfour years statewide and within twoyears on the Eastern Shore. Addi-tional capital funding is beingrequested over the next four years toassure that the state funds areavailable to local governments tobegin construction. Based on the 1997 data, as a resultof Maryland’s biologic nutrientremoval program, point sourcenitrogen loads have been reducedfrom 1985 levels by 36 percent (11.6million lbs/yr) – 69 percent of thereduction goal achieved. Thephosphorus loads have been reducedfrom 1985 levels by 55 percent (1.38million lbs./yr.) – 90 percent of thereduction goal has been achieved. In FY 99, five wastewater treat-ment plants completed constructionincluding Aberdeen, Back River,Broadwater, Damascus and Pine HillRun. As a result, Maryland shouldachieve an additional reduction ofmore than three million pounds peryear in nitrogen and 82 thousandpounds per year in phosphorus. For additional information, pleasecontact Marya Levelev, biologicnutrient removal coordinator, CapitalProgram Planning Division, 2500Broening Highway, Baltimore, MD21224. Telephone: (410) 631-3720;Fax: (410) 631-3445; e-mail:mlevelev@mde.state.md.us

Maryland Wastewater Treatment

Ring Lace, a BNR technology currently being implemented in the Annapolis WaterReclamation Facility, uses a nylon media to increase the available area for the

necessary biological processes to occurr.

Broadwater*

Pine Hill Run*

Aberdeen*Back River*

Damascus*

* - completed construction in FY 1999

- biologic nutrient removal technology in place or have signed cost-share agreements with MDE to do so

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Following a tour last month of flood-prone Bowman’s Addition, a commu-nity near Cumberland, Allegany County,Governor Parris N. Glendening an-nounced that he will aggressively seekfederal funds to assist with the buyoutof 45 homes located in the 100-yearflood plain of this community. This areahas been repeatedly ravaged by flood-ing, most recently in 1996. The buyout, which would cost an es-timated $2.1 million, would be financedthrough $265,000 from the MarylandDepartment of the Environment (MDE);$213,000 from Allegany County; and$1.57 million from the U.S. Departmentof Commerce’s Natural Resource Con-servation Service (NRCS). Maryland

Governor Glendening Tours Flood-Ravaged Bowman’s Addition Near Cumberland

already has allocated its share of thefunds in MDE’s Fiscal Year 1999 and2000 budgets. The Governor said hewould ask NRCS to fund the buyoutduring the next federal fiscal year, whichbegins October 1. “I personally will never forget thephysical and emotional damage left bythe relentless waters that tore throughWestern Maryland in 1996,” GovernorGlendening said. “I remember oneyoung child who was worried aboutreplacing his shoes so he could go toschool. All of his clothing, includinghis shoes had been swept away by thefloodwaters. I could not bear to thinkthat another child – another family –would have to endure this kind of

tragedy again.” The Governor noted that since 1996,when he formed a Flood MitigationTask Force for Western Maryland,more than $52 million in state, federaland local funds have been spent torelocate families, repair or replaceroads and bridges, upgrade drinkingwater and sewage treatment infra-structure, remove blockages fromwaterways and teach citizens how toflood-proof their homes. “I am extremely proud of the workthe dedicated group of individuals onthe task force has done and the real,tangible outcomes – such as therelocation of families – that haveresulted from their work,” Speaker

Casper R. Taylor said. “It is my firmbelief that their efforts will help us toprevent the kind of devastation wesaw in 1996 in Lonaconing,Westernport, Cumberland, Point ofRocks and other places, includingright here in Bowman’s Addition.” “I applaud the work of Cas Taylorand the members of the mitigationtask force,” the Governor said. “Wepledge to continue to work to relocatefamilies – such as those here inBowman’s Addition – and to continueto fund through direct grants floodcontrol and stormwater projects thattypically would not be eligible for thestate’s stormwater and flood controlfunding.”

Governor Glendening and Bowman’s Addition business owner, Linda Hartman,during the Governor’s recent tour of the flood-prone community in Allegany County.

Bowman’s Addition resident Ralph Donahue shares photographs of his communityafter a rainfall with Speaker of the House Casper Taylor and Governor Parris N.

Glendening

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MDEnvironment’s September Back-to-School issue will feature aresource guide for K-12 environmental educators and your organizationcan be part of it! Please send us information about any environmentaleducation resources that your organization, business, association orgovernment offers. These resources may include videos, brochures,experiments, newsletters, field trips, plant or facility tours, exhibits,films, lesson plans, games, websites, reports or speakers bureaus. Helpeducate Maryland’s children about the environment! To be part of this guide, send by August 15 the name of yourorganization, a short description of each educational opportunity, andany other important details, along with the name of a contact person andtheir phone number, fax number and e-mail address to:MDEnvironment, 2500 Broening Highway, Baltimore, MD 21224 or e-mail cplummer@mde.state.md.us.

ENDZONE partners is producingand sponsoring a one hour weeklyradio program on Saturdays from 3 to4 p.m. to educate listeners aboutground-level ozone and provideinformation on how to protect them-selves and the family members fromthe health effects of ozone smog andhow to reduce air pollution. Thesimulcast may be heard on WOLBradio (1010 AM) in Baltimore andWOL radio (1450 AM) in Washington. Ms. LeChez Herring from Towson

Ozone Action: An Hour On The Air

University will host the program.Each week LeChez will focus on aparticular aspect of ground-levelozone and will feature guest experts.The public is invited to call in and askquestions at 1-800-450-7876. ENDZONE partners is a coalition ofMaryland, Virginia, and WashingtonD.C. businesses, interested citizensgroups and local governments thatwork to reduce ground-level ozonethrough its public education cam-paign.