In a fundraiser in Queenstown, Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler, who has made enforcement of environmental laws a priority, contended that Maryland has plenty of environmental laws designed to protect the Bay, many written decades ago during the tenure of his mentor, Governor Harry Hughes. Gansler said it’s not the lack of laws, but lack of enforcement that’s responsible for the Bay’s precarious health.
As evidence of his focus on enforcement, he noted one recent settlement with Constellation Energy, Inc.– the largest ever in the state. Some of the settlement money is going to mitigation in various guises, including a $50,000 Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP)award to Baltimore’s Waterkeeper, who has turned the money over to a collaborative effort to create a prototype floating wetland in Baltimore Harbor.
Gansler also told the group of democratic faithful, including former Governor Hughes and former Senator Joe Tydings, that even though he does not yet have a Republican opponent, he knows the upcoming races will be “tough.” He lauded those who are willing to “step up” to the challenge of running for office, giving the nod to Art Hock of Kent County, who attended the Wednesday evening gathering on the banks of the Wye River. Hock, a Democrat, hopes to win the 36th District seat of longtime incumbent, Delegate Mary Roe Walkup (R. Kent County), who has been a staunch supporter of environmental legislation and initiatives. Jay Jacobs (R. Kent County), mayor of Rock Hall, is hoping to retain the seat for the Republican party.
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