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EPA Regional Administrator Tours Stormwater and Land Conservation Projects on Maryland’s Eastern Shore

Release Date: 07/31/2013
Contact Information: David Sternberg, 215-814-5548, [email protected]

(PHILADELPHIA - July 31, 2013) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin today toured several projects on the Maryland Eastern Shore designed to control stormwater pollution, conserve land, and improve communities. Stormwater runoff is a leading cause of impairment to local waters and the Chesapeake Bay.

“In the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the story of the water is written on the land, and what we do on our streets influences the quality of our local rivers and streams and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay,” said Garvin. “EPA appreciates innovation by local partners in developing solutions for protecting and restoring waters, helping to mitigate climate change, promoting sustainability, and improving the economy and quality of life in their communities.”

Garvin was joined by leaders of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC), local officials and others during the tour and discussion of projects in Oxford, Easton and Cambridge, Md.
The projects included:

Oxford Stormwater Strategy - A partnership of the Town of Oxford, the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and ESLC is helping support community mapping, diagnosis, and planning to address the town’s growing flooding and sea level rise issues.

Cambridge Gateway - The City of Cambridge and ESLC are developing designs for the U.S. Route 50 and Maryland Avenue intersection incorporating environmental best practices for reducing stormwater runoff, providing tree canopy and native vegetation, and improving accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.

Eastern Shore Conservation Center ESLC is working to transform a vacant Easton warehouse into a green building that will bring new vitality to the South Washington Street Corridor.

Easton Point ESLC and the Town of Easton, with funding from the Town Creek Foundation, are turning an 11-acre brownfield site into Easton’s only waterfront park.