STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION PLANTS NEARLY 15,000 TREES ON MARYLAND’S EASTERN SHORE

Starting the last week of October, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is adding some green to the tanned sands of the shore with a $211,000 tree planting project in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties.  The project should be complete by summer 2010, weather permitting.  SHA will plant trees at 25 locations, throughout more than 33 acres of State property. 

SHA is planting more than 14,600 native tree species in medians, roadsides, interchanges and wetlands on the Eastern Shore.  The tree plantings are part of the One Million Trees effort, which is part of Governor Martin O’Malley’s Smart, Green and Growing Initiative.  Some of the varieties of trees that will adorn the shore include Pin Oaks, Red Maples, Sassafras and Tulip Poplars, as well as other native east coast trees.

“Planting trees is providing enormous benefits to our natural environment,” said SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen.  “Our aggressive tree planting program is helping SHA move to a greener highway system.”

The simple act of planting trees has a significant benefit to the environment in several profound ways:

• Enhancing water quality for Coastal Bay and Chesapeake Bay Watershed  regions;
• Providing habitats for wildlife;
• Stabilizing top soil, which reduces runoff;
• Reducing mowing therefore reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and
• Sequestering carbon dioxide.

This project is made possible through Governor Martin O’Malley’s aggressive management of the requirements of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, bringing critically needed transportation investments to Maryland.  Projects such as these are stimulating Maryland’s economy by supporting hundreds of jobs. 

To encourage citizen participation in reforesting Maryland, the Governor recently launched Marylanders Plant Trees, through which citizens can receive $25 discount coupons for the purchase of native trees costing $50 or more from participating nurseries across the State.  Whether taking advantage of the coupon program or not, citizens who plant new trees are asked to use the State’s new website, www.trees.maryland.gov – which offers valuable planting advice -- to register the trees they’ve planted and calculate their benefits.

Those who have questions about tree plantings throughout the State may call SHA’s Office of Environmental Design toll-free at 1-800-446-5962. 

November 14 between 8am and 2pm
Appeal Municipal Landfill for Calvert County residents. http://www.co.cal.md.us/residents/waste/solid/HHW.asp

Millersville Landfill for Anne Arundel County residents.
http://www.aacounty.org/DPW/WasteManagement/householdWaste.cfm

You must show proof of residency and only use the landfill in the county in which you live. Hazardous waste will be disposed of in a manner that is in compliance with state and federal requirements.
A wide variety of material is accepted at Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off events including:
• Oil-based paints
• Staining agents
• Paint solvents
• Pesticides
• Household and automotive cleaners
• Oil and antifreeze contaminated with water or other products
• Pool chemicals
• Gasoline
• Kerosene and other fuels
• Thermometers
• Thermostats
• Fluorescent light tubes/bulbs (Special Note)
• Mercury vapor lamps
• Asbestos (small quantities accepted, limit 4 bags per resident and cannot be over 40 lbs. Must be double bagged)

Seasonal Drop-Off Center Open through November for Baltimore County Residents.

On Sunday, November 1, Baltimore County residents may bring household hazardous waste items to a one-day collection event scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Western Acceptance Facility, located at 3310 Transway Road, off the 4500 block of Hollins Ferry Road in Halethorpe. The event is hosted by the Baltimore Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management (DEPRM) in cooperation with the Police, Fire and Public Works departments.

Baltimore County residents may bring household paints and chemicals, lawn and garden chemicals, motor oil. antifreeze, gasoline, cleaning solvents, swimming pool chemicals, re-chargeable batteries, medicines, mercury thermometers and thermostats, fluorescent light bulbs, fireworks, and ammunition. No trash will be accepted at this event.

Spring 2010 Collection Event Announced

DEPRM officials also announced that the Spring 2010 household hazardous waste one-day collection event will be held on Sunday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Baltimore County Resource Recovery Facility, located on Drop-Off Drive, off Warren Road, between Beaver Dam Road and York Road.

White Marsh Drop-Off Center Open through November

For those residents who can't make it to the one-day events, DEPRM operates a seasonal household hazardous waste collection facility, in cooperation with the Department of Public Works, at the Eastern Sanitary Landfill, located at 6259 Days Cove Road in White Marsh. This facility is open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from April through November.

Residents may call DEPRM at 410-887-3745 for more information.

Recycling Maintenance Material Key Element of Governor O’Malley’s Smart, Green and Growing Initiative

The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is working with the local construction industry to develop environmentally safe methods of recycling pavement for use on future highway projects.  Local contractor P. Flanigan and Sons’ Winchester Recycling facility in Baltimore produces 100 percent recycled crushed graded aggregate base (GAB).  This is the base material used on a roadway prior to paving operations.  The recycled material is being used on SHA’s $12.4 million widening project along MD 295 (Baltimore Washington Parkway) between I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) and I-195 in Anne Arundel County.

“P. Flanigan and Sons has been using recycled materials for many decades.  The Winchester facility is just one example of our continued efforts to make infrastructure and transportation construction more environmentally friendly,” said Pierce Flanigan IV, President of P. Flanigan and Sons.  “We are proud to receive approval from SHA and hope the use of recycled products become more widespread.  Through extensive testing, the Winchester plant ensures that the quality of recycled GAB upholds the standards of SHA for materials to be used in infrastructure projects.”

Using recycled crushed aggregate saves fuel that would otherwise be spent while mining for new material and its subsequent transport from quarries.  Reducing fuel consumption has the added benefit of lowering vehicle emissions, which are harmful to the environment.  Additionally, recycling pavement material conserves shrinking landfill space.  So far, both plants that SHA approved for GAB recycling have saved more than 13,000 tons of natural (not yet mined) aggregate.

SHA has certified two local crushed aggregate recycling centers to incorporate recycled GAB into SHA projects.  SHA’s Office of Materials and Technology rigorously evaluates each project that uses recycled GAB for its effectiveness for a project and environmental protection.  SHA envisions a future where recycled GAB will be part of the competitive bidding process on all resurfacing contracts.

“I applaud the innovative use of recycled aggregate for construction projects throughout the State,” said Neil J. Pedersen, SHA’s Administrator.  “SHA is building environmentally-focused projects and the use of recycled aggregate is a step toward paving the way for a greener and more sustainable highway system.”
               
SHA has also worked with other contractors to use recycled GAB.  David A. Bramble, Inc., an eastern shore contractor, has been certified to use recycled GAB for the ongoing
$22 million US 113 widening project from Hayes Landing Road to north of Goody Hill Road in Worcester County.

SHA is helping to turn the tide of climate change by reducing its State fleet of vehicles by 10 percent by the end of 2010.  In addition, SHA is using a five percent blend of bio-diesel fuel in equipment, as well as recovering and recycling motor oil and filters, Freon, antifreeze, tires and batteries.  In 2008, SHA received a $250,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to retrofit 25 dump trucks with emissions filters.  Additionally, out of a fleet of 930 pool vehicles and light trucks, 270 vehicles are equipped to operate on flex fuels such as a E85 (a blend of gasoline with 85 percent ethanol).

Recycling material, reducing emissions and reusing items are ways SHA is reducing output that may lead to climate change.  These and the other earth-friendly processes and procedures are consistent with Governor O’Malley’s Smart, Green and Growing Initiative. 

Grant Protects Children from Lead and Other Home Health Hazards

Baltimore County has been awarded a $4 million grant from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  The Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation received the funding for the Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Program to create lead-safe, healthy, energy-efficient homes in Baltimore County.

"For decades, childhood lead poisoning has tragically impacted the lives of children and communities in Baltimore County.  The Office of Community Conservation will use these funds to pursue its goal of ending childhood lead poisoning in the County.  I'm pleased to announce that Baltimore County was the sole jurisdiction in the State of Maryland to receive this grant.  I also want to thank Senator Barbara Mikulski for her support with this important funding," said Smith.

Even though lead-based paint was banned for use in homes in 1978, HUD estimates that approximately 24 homes nationwide still have significant lead-based hazards today.  Lead-contaminated dust is the primary cause of lead exposure and can lead to a variety of health problems in young children, including reduced IQ, learning disabilities, developmental delay and impaired hearing.

The Lead Hazard Reduction Program will provide lead inspections/risk assessment of 350 homes in targeted area communities in Baltimore County for lead-based paint and healthy homes hazards; perform lead hazard control (including window replacements) in 300 homes; conduct 150 outreach and education events to reach at least 16,500 citizens; and provide lead worker certification and Green and Healthy Homes training to 30 individuals.  Effectively immediately, the demonstration program will run for three years.

"Lead poisoning from old paint is a parent's worst nightmare.  It's practically invisible in your home, but its effects can be devastating.  I'm so proud this grant will be used to create lead-safe, healthy homes in Baltimore County," Senator Mikulski said.  "This funding will help protect kids from lead exposure and make a real difference for Baltimore County's families."

Baltimore County is partnering with other Baltimore County departments, including the Department of Health, the Department of Permits and Inspections and the Department of Social Services, as well as the Maryland Department of the Environment, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning. 

"This strong network of partners will be invaluable in identifying older, lower income properties where children reside and pose the most danger to our community," stated Baltimore County Chair Joseph Bartenfelder.

DISPOSAL OF MOST HOUSEHOLD ELECTRONICS BANNED IN BALTIMORE COUNTY BEGINNING OCTOBER 23

Residents Urged to Recycle Electronics Through Manufacturer and Retail Take-Back Programs

Beginning October 23, 2009, due to recent County legislation, it is illegal in Baltimore County for residents to dispose of most household electronics as trash.

This new law targets computer equipment (CPUs, monitors, keyboards, printers, laptops, scanners, cables and cords), televisions, VCRs, DVD players, telephones (including cell phones and answering machines), stereos, fax machines, and video display devices. The law does not apply to household appliances (e.g., washers, dryers, refrigerators, ovens) or electronics sold to the commercial or institutional sectors.

Baltimore County urges residents with unwanted electronics to first contact electronics manufacturers or retailers to inquire about an electronics take-back or recycling program. Many electronics manufacturers and retailers have convenient programs for recycling electronics that are free or low-cost.

Another option for residents is to donate unwanted electronics to a charity or reuse organization. Residents are urged to contact the charity/organization first to ensure that the material they plan to donate will be accepted. For contact information regarding charities and reuse organizations that accept electronics and other items, residents may consult the Baltimore County Reuse Directory. This directory is available online through the County's web site or in hard copy by contacting the Bureau of Solid Waste Management.

County residents may also drop off unwanted electronics year-round at the following facilities:

Eastern Sanitary Landfill Solid Waste Management Facility, located off the 11400 block of Pulaski Highway (Monday - Saturday, 7:30am - 3:30pm);

Baltimore County Resource Recovery Facility, located on Drop-Off Drive, off Warren Road, between Beaver Dam Road and York Road (Monday - Saturday, 7am - 4pm); and

Western Acceptance Facility, located at 3310 Transway Road, off the 4500 block of Hollins Ferry Road (Monday - Saturday, 7am - 4pm).

Residents must not place electronics out for trash or recycling collection or place electronics in the trash disposal area of a Baltimore County drop-off center. Residents doing so run the risk of a $100 civil penalty, non-collection of material, and/or future banishment from the County's trash and recycling drop-off centers.       

Recycling or reusing electronics keeps potentially hazardous materials such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic out of landfills and waste to energy facilities.

For more information about electronics recycling or the County's new electronics recycling legislation, residents may visit the County's web site at www.baltimorecountymd.gov/recycling or call 410-887-2000.

More Than 100 People Turned Out to Help Restore Water Quality in Back River 

Some 125 County citizens actively participated in a planning meeting this Wednesday evening to develop strategies to improve water quality in Back River.  Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, officials from the Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management and the Back River Restoration Committee (BRRC) hosted the meeting at the Back River Treatment Facility where they updated people on the development of the Tidal Back River Small Watershed Action Plan and received feedback from the public.

 A Small Watershed Action Plan (SWAP) is a strategy to restore the waterway and includes County and citizen restoration actions such as waterway clean-ups, tree plantings, proper lawn care, and storm drain marking,

This is the second of three public meetings about the Tidal Back River SWAP. The Tidal Back River SWAP is the County's fourth SWAP. Prior SWAPs included - Prettyboy Reservoir, Lower Jones Falls and the upper watershed of Back River (Rosedale and the Belair-Edison and Hamilton areas of Baltimore City).   Although citizen participation for previous SWAPs has been good, this SWAP has generated considerably larger numbers of citizen participants because of their passion for Back River.  Most of the participants hail from the waterfront communities of North Point and the Essex area.

A strong contingent of local elected officials participated in the meeting, including County Council members Joe Bartenfelder , John Olszewski Sr. and Kevin Kamenetz ; Senator Norman Stone, Delegates Sonny Minnick, John Olszewski, Jr., Mike Wier, Todd Schuler.  Jeff Horan attended representing MD Department of Natural Resources. 

Baltimore County recognizes Back River as an asset to the area, providing many recreational opportunities such as canoeing, boating, fishing, crabbing, and bird watching and supporting an important maritime industry. Tributaries and wetlands provide nursery grounds for fish, crabs and other aquatic life, essential for maintaining viable populations. They are also the feeding grounds for waterfowl in the winter. Back River, like all tributaries, feeds the Chesapeake Bay and a clean and healthy Back River will help to boost the health of the Chesapeake.

"These Small Watershed Action Plans are truly partnerships. Without the involvement of a committed community, dedicated to picking up trash, planting trees, marking storm drains, or conducting shoreline wetlands plantings, we cannot keep our environment green and clean," Smith said.

The County Executive honored Capt. Jerry Ziemski, the founder of the Back River Restoration Committee with an Executive Citation for his dedication and commitment to restoring Back River.  The meeting attendees voted to select a promotional catchphrase to symbolize the efforts to restore the river. The slogan, "Scenic Back River - Discover the Hidden Treasure," won overwhelming support from attendees in a show of hands vote.  The group also selected volunteer restoration projects and water quality improvement opportunities.

"Back River is a focal point for the eastside of the County and is one of the main tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay," said County Council Chair Joe Bartenfelder. "I think it makes a huge statement that we are not just cleaning up the river, but are committing to maintaining the improvements long-term."

More than 250 members of the Essex and Dundalk area communities participated in an August 29 cleanup of the Back River mud flats, removing 325 tires and 50 tons of trash and debris. Many of these volunteers attended the planning meeting. The Back River Restoration Committee (BRRC) presented the results of the mudflats cleanup at Wednesday night's meeting and a representative from the Maryland Transportation Authority presented an update about the I-95 toll lanes project.