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Talbot County:

Are We Making Progress forCleaner Local Waters?

Talbot County is preparing a plan to reduce its share of water

pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. All counties in Maryland

are charting a new course; for the first time they are creating

local plans that will lead to clean local rivers and streams

and a healthy Chesapeake Bay. The plans, called Watershed

Implementation Plans (WIP), will create cleaner, safer water

in our communities, and local jobs for our residents, and a

more robust local economy.

How does the plan stack up so far? See the barometer to the

left.

1. Does it compute? Does the plan provide a measurablepath toward long-term pollution reduction targets?

2. Are there short-term commitments? Does the plan list theactions the County needs to take in the next two years (2-

year milestones)?

3. Will it be paid for? Does the plan list the funding needed

pollution?

Local Action for Local WatersOverall, the County lays out some clear next steps and

immediate actions, but lacks detailed analysis of the

pollution reduction benefits of those steps or how to fund

them.

The Maryland legislature is considering several funding

sources to help implement these plans. Talbot should work

cooperatively with the state as it moves forward to ensure

sufficient funding exists to put the practices on the ground.

Potential County mechanisms include implementing a ditchremediation ordinance as part of a stormwater utility, a

mandatory septic system pump-out regulation similar to that

, and implementing best

management practices on County owned land. These are

great examples of aggressive but creative regulations Talbot

County can consider as it moves forward.Talbot County is off to good start, but there is much work still

action to work for cleaner local waters.

A Good Start;Much Work RemainsAccomplishments

The County submitted a draft plan

to MDE.

The plan included clear measurable

pollution reductions for existing and

ongoing strategies.

The plan listed clear, concrete next

steps that could be taken.

The Two-Year Milestones are

meaningful and well documented.

To Do List

The submitted plan did not fullyanalyze and document the pollution

reductions from new or needed

actions.

Funding sources are not identified

for future actions, a critical need.

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Clean Local Waters:Within Our Reach

are polluted, which endangers public health and damages our

economy. But there is a solution!

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has put Maryland and

five other Bay watershed states, and Washington, D.C., on a

end date, and includes proven actions that we know can work. To

and local governments

have drafted new clean water plans to reduce pollution at the

local level.

simple. But one fact remainsour local streams and rivers are carrying too much

pollution to the Chesapeake Bay. and local water quality, it endangers

public health and damages our economy.

Right now, counties and municipalities have an opportunity to meet local needs by figuring out how to

clean local waters with the best local solutions. Working with the state and federal governments, the local

governments will create clean water plans that chart a multi-year course toward community health, a

strong economy, and a high quality of life. These plans will address water pollution loads from septic

systems, wastewater treatment plants, and towns and urban areas. To be effective, these plans should

include measurable results, funding sources, and a clear roadmap for implementation.

More information, including copies of the state and local plans, public hearing dates, and how to comment,

can be found online at www.mde.state.md.us/programs/Water/TMDL/TMDLImplementation/Pages/

DRAFT_PhaseII_WIPDocument_Main.aspx.

A Stream Worth SavingTalbot County has a long and vibrant history with the water. From commercial fishing to charter fishing,

watermen and retailers alike rely on the water for their livelihood. Families enjoy swimming or boating on the

families, fishermen, and our

Why Clean Water Matters to a Talbot County Resident:n November, hundreds of people attended Clean Water Week in Easton and heard about the promise of making

Tom Leigh, Midshore Riverkeeper Conservancy, 443-385-0511

Claudia Friedetzky, Maryland Chapter Sierra Club, 917-664-3745www.cleanmarylandwaters.wordpress.com