With unanimous approval of the Board, President Sandy Sparks sent signed letters to Del. Marc Korman (D-16) and Sen. Brian Feldman (D-15) in support of the “Clean Water Justice Act of 2024” bills, HB1101/SB653, respectively. These bills strengthen Marylanders’ wetlands integrity rights in face of the recent Sackett vs. EPA Supreme Court decision weakening the Clean Water Act with respect to certain waterways across the nation. This legislation has “crossed over” both Chambers with a potential enactment date by 10/1/24. The whole of the HB letter may be read here. Note: we wrote about the Sackett Decision in the Fall 2023 issue, linked here.
The Board has also unanimously supported two other important environmental bills.
One is 2024 Maryland HB979, “Agriculture – Invasive Plant Species – Regulation (Biodiversity and Agriculture Protection Act).” This proposed legislation, which companion is SB915, would alter the regulatory approach to controlling invasive plant species, expanding the list of nonnative plants banned for sale in Maryland, and assessing plants for an invasive watch list. This legislation has “crossed over” both Chambers with a potential enactment date by 10/1/24. The whole of the HB letter may be read here.
The other is 2024 Maryland HB1358, “Natural Resources – Gwynns Falls State Park – Focus Group, Advisory Committee, and Report,” which proposes to preserve the key role of Baltimore City managing Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, its 1,200-acre western stream valley park, while sustaining this magnificent natural and recreational resource with dedicated State Open Space funds as an authorized State Park Partnership Park. The whole of this HB letter may be read here. Its companion legislation is SB1183.
Friends of The Jones Falls 