Nearly 200 Chesapeake Bay area residents are expected to attend the Maryland Tributary Strategies Program’s 12th annual meeting on Saturday, February 9, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Maryland Department of the Environment office in Montgomery Park. The event is open to the public and free of charge.
“The dedication and commitment of our volunteer Tributary Team members – some of whom have been with the program for more than a decade — is truly remarkable,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “By engaging citizens and driving local restoration efforts, they are literally providing every Marylander an opportunity to be part of the solution in our shared commitment to revive the health of the Chesapeake Bay.”
Drawing on the theme of this year’s event, Back to Basics, the day will focus on an in-depth examination of the main sources of nutrient pollution for Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and its tributaries.
“The significance of smaller waterways that feed into the Bay can not be overstated,” said Department of Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin. “By offering solutions on a local level, Maryland is making strides to fulfill our education and outreach goals as outlined in the Chesapeake 2000 Bay Agreement.”
Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Shari Wilson will kickoff the event. Following a keynote address by Deputy Secretary Dr. Bob Summers, participants will have the opportunity to participate in a choice of three smaller break-out sessions throughout the day. Highlighted sessions include: “Urban Run-Off: Not as Dirty as it was, but Dirtier than you Think”, “Communities as Partners” and “Sea level, wind and waves… Estimating sediment delivery from Chesapeake Bay shores.”
A lunchtime awards ceremony will honor the 2007 Bernie Fowler Award recipient. This individual will be awarded for his or her extraordinary dedication and commitment and valuable assets both to their Tributary Team as well as other local organizations.
For more information or to register for this free event, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/tribstrat/index.html.
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