AGP Executive Report

Chesapeake Bay: The Bay earned a C+, its highest grade in four decades, with better scores for oxygen, nutrients and underwater grasses. But progress is uneven: eight of 15 regions improved, and runoff continues to weigh on parts of the watershed. Pollution: Manure from a repeat polluter has been blamed for killing 11,000 bass and trout in a Maryland stream. Local Water: La Plata officials say the town’s water supply is nearing its limit as proposed conservation rules face criticism. Leonardtown’s new well, meanwhile, remains offline pending state approval. Watershed Protection: Maryland’s Chesapeake watershed is slated to receive $39 million in federal grants for water-quality and habitat restoration. A proposed federal rule narrowing Clean Water Act protections could put safeguards for streams and wetlands at risk.

Chesapeake Bay: The Bay earned a C+—56%, its highest score in 40 years—as restoration efforts show progress. But it remains only halfway to a healthy Bay: water clarity is poor, and the Lower Eastern Shore is trending downward. Researchers also credit favorable weather and reduced runoff for the latest gains. Power Grid: A federal emergency order gives PJM, which serves Maryland, temporary flexibility to run some generators beyond normal pollution limits and call on large users’ backup power if needed through Oct. 16. Offshore Wind: Delaware’s Environmental Appeals Board voted 5-1 to send the coastal review of US Wind’s Maryland project back to DNREC, requiring a new public notice and a closer check of the application. The ruling does not reject the project. Water Supply: La Plata recently came close to the threshold for conservation alerts. A proposed ordinance would let the town act when water production nears its permitted capacity or the state declares a drought emergency.

Flood Risk and Equity: Turner Station, a low-lying, historically Black Maryland community, faces worsening floods as rising seas and development send more stormwater downhill. A new UMBC lab, backed by a $1 million congressional earmark, aims to help vulnerable neighborhoods prepare. Chesapeake Cleanup: A Talbot County firm received $126,000 to hire watermen to remove abandoned crab pots that can trap wildlife and damage fishing gear. Restoration: Federal grants are bringing $39 million to Chesapeake watershed water-quality and habitat projects, while Baltimore’s Middle Branch restoration has completed $35 million in work and started another $36 million project. Wildlife Habitat: Maryland’s DNR named winners of its annual nature photo contest, which drew more than 1,000 entries.

Inner Harbor: The National Aquarium has unveiled 12 youth-created visions of a healthier harbor, after apprentices studied its restoration history and science. Clean Energy: Montgomery County voters are set to decide on a 30-year solar lease at Gude Landfill, with questions raised about whether the deal offers a fair price. At the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, six new cottages for visiting scientists generate twice the energy they use. Chesapeake Restoration: The watershed has received $39 million in federal grants for water quality and habitat projects. Separately, Maryland’s latest oyster report says populations are growing in sanctuaries and harvest areas. Baltimore’s Waterfront: The Middle Branch restoration initiative has completed $35 million in work and begun another $36 million project. Water Costs: A national analysis found Maryland water bills rose about twice as fast as household incomes over the past decade, adding to affordability concerns.

Water Costs: A national analysis found water bills rose 62% over the past decade; in Maryland, increases ran about twice as fast as household incomes. Chesapeake Restoration: The watershed is set to receive $39 million in federal grants for water-quality and habitat projects. Wildlife: A Maryland couple has turned their 116-acre farm into a protected haven, now home to otters, beavers and dozens of bird species. Pollution Concerns: Maryland is demanding answers as a fuel leak persists at Joint Base Andrews, while South Baltimore residents face conflicting decisions over an incinerator. River Health: New tests found the Potomac healthy after January’s sewer-line collapse. Energy and Roads: A UMBC poll found nearly 80% of likely Maryland voters oppose new data centers; state advocates also say roads can be kept safe without salting waterways.

Local Clean Energy: Takoma Park’s fall grant cycle opens Oct. 12, offering small businesses and community groups up to $30,000 for electrification and energy-efficiency upgrades, with about $250,000 available. Wildlife & Land: A Kent County couple has permanently conserved their 116-acre farm, restoring woods, meadows and wetlands that now shelter otters, beavers and migratory birds while protecting Tavern Creek. Chesapeake Restoration: The watershed is set to receive $39 million in federal grants for 83 conservation and restoration projects, alongside $53 million in matching funds. Maryland Forests: A new state directive encourages agencies to use Maryland-grown wood in public construction, aiming to support sustainable forestry and rural jobs. River Health: Tests found the Potomac River healthy six months after a sewer-line collapse. Bay Life: A state report says Maryland’s oyster population is growing in both sanctuaries and harvest areas.

Chesapeake Restoration: A new $39 million in federal grants will support 83 water-quality, habitat and resilience projects across the Bay watershed, with another $53 million in matching funds. Working Forests: Gov. Wes Moore’s order directs state agencies to find more opportunities to use Maryland-grown wood in public construction, supporting local forestry and conservation. Frederick County is also expanding incentives for landowners to plant forests. Baltimore Waterfront: The Middle Branch initiative has completed $35 million in restoration and resilience work and begun another $36 million project. Bay Wildlife: Maryland’s oyster population is growing in sanctuaries and harvest areas, according to a new state report; meanwhile, a county has expanded its Abingdon estuary preserve. River Health: New tests found the Potomac River healthy after January’s sewer-line collapse. A separate fish kill in Basin Run is under investigation.

Wildlife: Maryland is using trained detection dogs to help recover and return poached turtles; wood turtles are endangered and vulnerable to illegal trade. Water Quality: New tests found the Potomac healthy six months after a sewer-line collapse, while Maryland’s oyster population is growing, according to a state report. Baltimore Pollution: Maryland’s environment department canceled a plan for independent testing of ash from the BRESCO incinerator, as South Baltimore residents face conflicting decisions about the facility. Back River advocates are urging residents to attend a Nov. 10 public meeting. Chesapeake Conservation: The watershed received $39 million in federal grants for water quality and habitat work, and a Maryland county expanded its estuary preserve. Drought & Resilience: Baltimore began blending Susquehanna River water into its supply amid drought, and a new opinion piece urges Maryland to protect waterways from road salt. Land Protection: A Maryland family turned a 116-acre farm into a protected wildlife haven; Frederick County is also offering landowners incentives to plant forests.

Wildlife: Maryland officials are using trained dogs to help combat illegal turtle trafficking and return poached wood turtles to the wild; the native species is endangered. Extreme Heat: Maryland recorded 61 heat-related deaths this season, a state high, alongside a record 1,657 emergency calls. Back River: Residents are urged to attend a Nov. 10 public meeting on wastewater plant operations, upgrades and environmental protections. Incinerator Oversight: South Baltimore residents face conflicting decisions over the BRESCO incinerator, while Maryland’s environmental agency abruptly canceled a plan for independent testing of its ash. Water & Bay: Drought has prompted Baltimore to blend Susquehanna River water into tap supplies. Separately, $39 million in federal grants will support Chesapeake watershed water-quality and habitat projects. Clean Energy: Maryland is among states allowing plug-in balcony solar panels, a simpler route for households to generate renewable power.

Wastewater Watch: Baltimore’s Back River Community Action Group is urging residents to attend a Nov. 10 public meeting on treatment-plant operations, upgrades and environmental protections. Residents can ask questions and report odors; the group has also pushed for live alerts about bypass events. Road Salt and Rivers: A new Maryland-focused call to limit road salt warns that winter maintenance can threaten waterways. Potomac Update: Expanded testing found river conditions within normal ranges after January’s major sewer spill, with no current signs of lasting harm. Waste Reduction: A new Baltimore-area hub will recycle medical plastics and other healthcare materials, including through a partnership with Johns Hopkins Health System. Bay and Shoreline: Maryland’s latest report finds oyster populations growing in sanctuaries and harvest areas, while restoration work along Baltimore’s Middle Branch has completed $35 million in projects and begun another $36 million effort. Development Debate: Nearly 80% of Maryland likely voters oppose new data centers, according to a UMBC poll, amid concerns about their local impacts.

South Baltimore Air: Residents are pressing Maryland regulators not to renew the permit for the city’s largest trash incinerator, even as Baltimore County approved a contract that could keep another major burner operating for years. A separate medical-waste incinerator is set to stop burning under a state settlement. Land Conservation: Harford County added 22 acres of vernal pools and oak forest to the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center preserve, protecting land once slated for development near tidal waters. Chesapeake Bay: Maryland’s latest survey finds oyster populations have grown in sanctuaries and public harvest areas over five years. Meanwhile, Atlantic Coast regulators are weighing a sharp cut to industrial menhaden catches, amid concerns about the fish’s role in the food web, including support for ospreys and striped bass. Water Watch: State officials are investigating a fish kill on Basin Run in Cecil County, where residents counted about 11,000 dead fish. Drought Response: Baltimore is blending Susquehanna River water into its tap supply as drought conditions strain water sources; some residents may notice a change in taste.

Water Quality: Maryland officials are investigating a major fish kill in Cecil County’s Basin Run, where residents say about 11,000 fish died. The inquiry includes a farm operator already under state scrutiny. Coastal Resilience: DNR’s Roots to Resilience program visited Somerset County, where farmers are dealing with saltwater intrusion and other effects of a changing climate. Data Center Impacts: A new UMBC poll found more than three-quarters of Marylanders oppose new data centers in the state, amid concerns about power use and environmental effects. Baltimore Restoration: More than $35 million in Middle Branch waterfront restoration is complete, with another $36 million project starting. Water Supply: Drought has prompted Baltimore to blend Susquehanna River water into its tap supply; some residents may notice a taste change. Energy Shift: US Wind has dropped plans for a turbine factory at Sparrows Point, where the site is now slated for submarine manufacturing.**

Fuel Leak: Maryland regulators say jet fuel is still reaching Piscataway Creek from Joint Base Andrews more than six months after a spill of about 32,000 gallons. The base says it is containing and recovering fuel that washes into the creek during rain. Forest Restoration: Frederick County is offering eligible landowners up to $9,000 per acre to establish permanent forests, with five years of free maintenance. Applications for Creek ReLeaf are open through Dec. 31. Chesapeake Bay: A new $39 million in federal grants will support 83 watershed projects, including work to improve water quality, restore habitat and reduce polluted runoff. Drinking Water: Drought has prompted Baltimore to blend Susquehanna River water into its tap supply; some residents may notice a change in taste. Clean Energy: Baltimore County has opened its first net-zero school, Deer Park Elementary in Owings Mills, designed to produce as much energy as it uses through solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling, and other features.

Forest Restoration: Frederick County is accepting applications for Creek ReLeaf, which can pay landowners up to $9,000 per acre to plant permanent forests and maintain them for five years. A new state grant will help expand the program, which has planted more than 650 acres since 2017. Chesapeake Bay: Federal agencies awarded $39 million for 83 watershed projects, from habitat restoration to polluted-runoff reduction, with another $53 million in matching funds. Water Supply: Drought has prompted Baltimore to blend Susquehanna River water into its tap supply; some residents may notice a change in taste. Cleaner Buildings: Baltimore County opened Deer Park Elementary, its first net-zero school, with rooftop solar and geothermal heating and cooling. Pollution and Conservation: Maryland fined a developer over pollution in a Gunpowder River tributary, while the Board of Public Works approved $12.7 million for parks, recreation and land conservation across Baltimore City and 10 counties.

Water Supply: Drought has led Baltimore to blend Susquehanna River water into taps serving eastern Baltimore City and much of Baltimore County. Officials say the treated water is safe, though some residents may notice changes in taste, odor or color. Bay Protection: A new conservation easement protects 208 acres in St. Mary’s County, including forested streams that filter runoff before it reaches the Chesapeake Bay and habitat for the endangered dwarf wedgemussel. Clean Energy: A $1.36 million state-backed bridge loan will help build seven community solar projects across five Maryland counties, expected to serve up to 1,000 households and cut subscribers’ bills by 20%. Pollution Oversight: Maryland’s environment agency abruptly canceled a planned independent sampling of ash from Baltimore’s BRESCO incinerator, renewing residents’ concerns about the waste trucked to a city landfill. Chesapeake Wildlife: Federal officials say conservation work has helped Chesapeake logperch populations recover enough to avoid Endangered Species Act protections, though monitoring will continue. Climate Lawsuits: The Supreme Court is weighing an oil industry bid to block climate-damage suits before trial; Baltimore is among the cities that have sued.

Water Affordability: A new Food & Water Watch analysis finds U.S. household drinking water bills rose 62% over the past decade—faster than inflation and grocery prices—and Maryland is among states where water costs climbed about twice as fast as household incomes, with for-profit systems charging far more than public utilities. Local Governance: Front Royal, Virginia’s Town Council is weighing changes to its Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability, including expanding membership and shifting meeting times, after concerns the committee’s advisory role has been “stifled.” Wildlife Safety: Maryland DNR warns black bears are ramping up feeding ahead of hibernation, with more road crossings and greater attraction to human food sources like bird feeders, pet food, and accessible trash. Chesapeake Bay Planning: An Eastern Shore Land Conservancy poll says 63% of Mid-Shore likely voters support a new Chesapeake Bay Bridge, with strong backing for protecting farmland and open space as part of any plan. Data Centers & Water/Power: Maryland’s new data center accountability task force is set to track large projects via a public dashboard and weigh environmental impact, including projected water and energy use. Waste & Pollution: Maryland officials announced a settlement requiring Curtis Bay Energy to stop operating its medical waste incinerator for good, after criminal charges and repeated violations.