Maryland Leaders Sign Agreement to Protect Coastal Bays
Image courtesy MD Coastal Bays
An updated Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the Maryland Coastal Bays Program was signed this week in Ocean City by local, state and federal leaders. The agreement renews commitments among agencies, municipalities and organizations to protect and restore the ecological health of one of the nation’s most treasured estuaries. The signing took place outside the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum at the end of the Boardwalk overlooking the Ocean City Inlet.
Additional information from MD Coastal Bays:
The document affirms:
“Maryland’s Coastal Bays are a treasured natural resource and should be managed and protected for current and future generations … Cooperation and commitments between federal, state, and local governments, and other partner organizations is essential to meet the goals of the Maryland Coastal Bays Program and implement the Comprehensive Conservation & Management Plan.”
Signatories included Maryland Gov. Wes Moore; Secretary Josh Kurtz, Maryland Department of Natural Resources; Secretary Serena McIlwain, Maryland Department of the Environment; Secretary Rebecca Flora, Maryland Department of Planning; Secretary Kevin Atticks, Maryland Department of Agriculture, Assateague National Seashore Superintendent, Hugh Hawthorn, Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall; Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan; Worcester County Commissioners President Ted Elder; Ocean Pines Association President Stuart Lakernick; Judy O’Neil, Chair of MCBP’s Science and Technical Advisory Committee; Steve Taylor, President of the MCBP Board; and Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 3 office.
Gov. Moore praised the unique collaboration on display.
“It does take our amazing local leadership … It does take our state leaders, it does take federal leadership, it does take nonprofit leadership, it does take the private sector – it does take everyday private citizens who understand that this is one of the greatest heirlooms we’ve got,” Moore said.
Moore said he was thankful his administration was able to sign the Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act, adding, “But we’re also really proud to be able to add a final signature” to the agreement with MCBP.
State Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, who has long advocated for equal recognition of the coastal bays alongside the Chesapeake, said the moment marked a milestone.
“One of the reasons I am so thrilled about the official signing of this comprehensive conservation and management plan is that it elevates our Maryland Coastal Bays as a shared priority at the local, state and federal level,” she said. “I have spent a lot of time as a member of the Senate Education, Energy and Environment Committee educating my colleagues that we also – in addition to supporting the Chesapeake Bay – should be supporting the Maryland Coastal Bays. So, it’s thrilling that we are here together.”
Worcester County Commissioners President Ted Elder offered praise and optimism, and thanked MCBP for protecting the local watershed.
“We’ve got a great agreement here, and I look forward in the future to working with everybody to keep our bays pristine and improve on our marshlands,” he said.
Josh Kurtz, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, said the CCMP reflects a forward-looking and science-based strategy.
“This is the strength of partnership. And empirical data shows us that what we’re doing is working,” he said, pointing to recent water quality report cards showing improvements.
“We’re seeing warmer waters, which makes it difficult to achieve the goals we want. We’re seeing more erosion [and] shrinking islands,” he continued. “But this plan takes that into consideration, and it looks into that future and helps us really build for what we want to see – which is a coastal bays that provide robust economic opportunity for all of our local communities, provides incredible places for all Marylanders and really everybody on the Eastern Shore to be able to get here and experience this incredible place.”
Kurtz also praised MCBP leadership.
“What an incredible job you all have done,” he said. “We really appreciate what you’ve done with us on the Watershed Act. I can’t get over how well this partnership is working – and I just see this as a model for everything that we do.”
Gov. Moore said “the Coastal Bays are like an heirloom that’s been handed down from prior generations. We didn’t create it, but we are responsible for its care and should honor what it means to us”
MCBP Board President Steve Taylor underscored the organization’s strong sense of responsibility in safeguarding the health of the Coastal Bay ecosystems.
MCBP Executive Director Kevin Smith expressed his thanks to all of the partners and supporters who came out on a very hot afternoon to reaffirm their commitment to keeping the bays healthy and robust.
“This only happens when we work together and this tremendous show of support and commitment ensures a healthy and productive future for our treasured coastal bays,” Smith said.
The Maryland Coastal Bays Program is one of just 28 National Estuary Programs designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to protect and restore estuaries of national significance. The updated CCMP represents a renewed commitment to science-driven, community-based action to improve water quality, habitat, and quality of life across the watershed.
For more information about the Maryland Coastal Bays Program, visit www.mdcoastalbays.org.