Latest News

Call for Oyster Moratorium Fails to Sway Watermen, Officials

gregmasters1 — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:53:41 +0000

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By GREG MASTERS

Capital News Service

ANNAPOLIS - The Chesapeake Bay's oyster population has plummeted since the late 1960s, when Willy Dean, a Maryland waterman since the age of 17, would go hand tonging with his father and "load the boat with oysters."

"The catch is way, way down from what it was back then," Dean said.

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A Chesapeake Bay Foundation boat places hatchery-produced seed oysters on a sanctuary reef. CNS Photo by Greg Masters.

Waste-to-Energy Dirtier Than Coal-Fired Power Plants, Report Claims

rlorente — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:34:00 +0000

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By GREG MASTERS
Capital News Service

ANNAPOLIS -- A report released Thursday argues that waste-to-energy incinerators are not truly renewable, despite Maryland's waste-to-energy sector being placed in the same renewable energy class as solar and wind power.

The nonprofit Environmental Integrity Project issued the report, which claims that the state’s two major waste-to-energy incinerators produce more pollution than some coal-fired power plants.

GPS Could Be Used To Deter Chesapeake Bay Poachers

gregmasters1 — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:25:57 +0000

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ANNAPOLIS – A pilot program to install tracking devices on some commercial fishing boats in the Chesapeake Bay may go into effect next year.

The program – which will be discussed at two open houses next week along with proposed fishing regulations from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service – would be voluntary for commercial fishermen.
But vessel monitoring systems may ultimately be required to discourage illegal fishing in Maryland, said Tom O’Connell, director of DNR’s fisheries service.

Chesapeake Murky and Debris-Strewn after Recent Downpours

rlorente — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 20:57:04 +0000

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By GREG MASTERS
Capital News Service

ANNAPOLIS -- Biologists Andrew Watts and Alice Volpitta navigated the muddy, junk-strewn waters of the Chesapeake Bay, testing water quality and finding out just how much dirt and debris the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee dumped into the bay.

Stopping their small boat near the mouth of the Patapsco River recently, Watts and Volpitta, who work for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, tested water clarity by measuring the Secchi depth, or how deep a disk could be dropped before it disappeared.

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Debris washes up at Sandy Point State Park after Tropical Storm Lee. CNS Photo by Greg Masters

Hurricane Irene Purges Chesapeake Bay's Dead Zones

aflynn — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:39:06 +0000

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Long-term Improvement Unlikely

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Hurricane Irene brought destruction to the mid-Atlantic region, but it also had a positive impact on the Chesapeake Bay, stirring the waters and allowing oxygen into the vast dead zone that stretches from Baltimore to Virginia.

By SARAH MEEHAN
Capital News Service
WASHINGTON - Hurricane Irene's high winds breathed a little life into the polluted Chesapeake Bay, bringing some short-term relief to wildlife by temporarily eliminating the estuary's vast dead zone, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Sewage Spill after Hurricane Irene Limits Shellfish Harvesting in Part of Chesapeake

gregmasters1 — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 19:56:27 +0000

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By GREG MASTERS
Capital News Service

ANNAPOLIS -- Most of Maryland's portion of the Chesapeake Bay will reopen to shellfish harvesting Sunday after a weeklong closure, but waters at the mouth of the Patapsco River will stay off limits due to a ruptured pipeline that continues to spew millions of gallons of waste into the river.

Many Hatchery-Produced Oysters Illegally Harvested

mskerryd — Fri, 06 May 2011 17:38:27 +0000

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The fruit of a third of the work done by state agencies, organizations and fisheries to restore the oyster population in the Chesapeake Bay is being stolen through illegal harvesting, according to biologists who research oyster beds in the bay.

By Kerry Davis
Capital News Service

ANNAPOLIS --The fruit of a third of the work done by state agencies, organizations and fisheries to restore the oyster population in the Chesapeake Bay is being stolen through illegal harvesting, according to biologists who research oyster beds in the bay.

Others say that number is even higher, closer to 80 percent of the managed reserves and sanctuaries.

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Bill to Stop Natural Gas Drilling Fails, Along with Other Environmental Legislation

mskerryd — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 02:35:37 +0000

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A bill that would have imposed a two-year moratorium on natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation while an environmental impact study was completed stalled in the Senate this legislative session after easily passing the House.

By Kerry Davis
Capital News Service

ANNAPOLIS -- A bill that would have imposed a two-year moratorium on natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation while an environmental impact study was completed stalled in the Senate this legislative session after easily passing the House.

It is unclear how heavily the bill's failure will actually affect drilling into the Marcellus Shale formation via hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," since a hold has already been unofficially placed on drilling there.

Legislative Audit Details $71,000 Theft by DNR Employee

mskerryd — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 21:33:47 +0000

A legislative audit released last week uncovered about $71,000 of likely fraudulent purchase card charges by an unnamed Department of Natural Resources employee.

The audit, found here, was released on April 1. The Department of Legislative Services started its audit in February 2010 when the DNR alerted the agency and the state Attorney General's Office to the potential employee theft.

No Offshore Wind Bill for O'Malley

mskerryd — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:59:51 +0000

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Gov. Martin O'Malley's key piece of green legislation this session was effectively killed for the year after being held for study in the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday.

By Kerry Davis
Capital News Service

ANNAPOLIS - Gov. Martin O'Malley's key piece of green legislation this session was effectively killed for the year after being held for study in the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday.

The wind energy bill would have contractually obligated utility companies to purchase energy from offshore wind production companies for 25 years. The wind turbines would have been built after the bill's passage, about 12 miles offshore of Ocean City.

A Master Ship Restorer Explains His Craft

mskerryd — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:10:19 +0000

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Slideshow

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Mike Vlahovich is a master wooden boat restorer who has worked on the same skipjack for more than four years. Skipjacks are the state boat of Maryland and have dwindled down to a remaining fleet of about 30.

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State Senate Bill Would Add Natural Resources Police Officers

mskerryd — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 19:18:38 +0000

ANNAPOLIS-- A bill that attempts to increase staffing levels in the Natural Resources Police department is ready for a final vote in the Senate.

Sen. Roy Dyson, D-St. Mary's, is the sponsor of SB937, which would mandate that the state employ at least 435 Natural Resources officers by 2021. The force is currently down to an allocation of 247 officers from 440 in 1990.

A Boatload of Poaching Legislation in the House and Senate

mskerryd — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 04:00:00 +0000

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By Kerry Davis
Capital News Service

ANNAPOLIS -- A bevy of poaching bills is making its way through the House and Senate, highlighting divisions among lawmakers who are trying to address poaching problems in different ways.

Hope Still Alive for O’Malley’s Offshore Wind Legislation

mskerryd — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 20:54:32 +0000

ANNAPOLIS — Despite concerns that momentum behind the governor’s offshore wind energy bill is fading, Delegate Dereck Davis, D-Prince George’s, said Friday that the bill has more than a fighting chance to pass this session.

The governor’s signature energy initiative has faced opposition from legislators concerned about the project’s costs to the state and consumers.

O'Malley Rallies for Offshore Wind as Likelihood of Passage Wanes

mskerryd — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 22:54:36 +0000

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Gov. Martin O'Malley rallied about 40 supporters of offshore wind energy on Wednesday, urging them to join him in one last chant that they hope will reach the ears of key committee legislators in Annapolis - "Pass the Bill!"

By Kerry Davis

Capital News Service

ANNAPOLIS -- Gov. Martin O'Malley rallied about 40 supporters of offshore wind energy on Wednesday, urging them to join him in one last chant that they hope will reach the ears of key committee legislators in Annapolis - "Pass the Bill!"

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Marcellus Shale Drilling Moratorium Poised For House Passage

mskerryd — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 04:00:00 +0000

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Legislation to create a temporary moratorium on natural gas drilling in Western Maryland's Marcellus Shale deposits appears poised for passage in the House of Delegates.

By David Saleh Rauf

Capital News Service

ANNAPOLIS - Legislation to create a temporary moratorium on natural gas drilling in Western Maryland's Marcellus Shale deposits appears poised for passage in the House of Delegates.

The full House gave the bill preliminary approval Tuesday after the chamber rejected five amendments and an attempt to shelve debate by the proposal's staunchest opponent, Delegate Wendell Beitzel, R-Garrett.

Natural Resources Police Fight Poaching With All-Night Stakeouts

rlorente — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 05:00:00 +0000

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Overnight on the Chesapeake Bay

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This year's fishing season has seen the largest rockfish poaching bust in more than 20 years. Officers found nearly 13 tons of illegally caught fish over the next few weeks, sometimes working 18-hour days to haul in nets.

By KERRY DAVIS
Capital News Service
Friday, March 4, 2011

EASTERN SHORE -- It's just after 12:30 a.m. on a recent weeknight and Natural Resources Police Cpl. Roy Rafter, 48, is driving on the Eastern Shore to a stakeout near an oyster bed that he's heard is being illegally raided at night.

The plan is for Officer Drew Wilson to drive an unmarked vehicle and drop off Rafter within view of the oyster sanctuary. They don't use their regular police trucks for fear of being spotted in small communities where they're not terribly popular with some folks.

O'Malley Touts Offshore Wind Farms

rlorente — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 05:00:00 +0000

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By KERRY DAVIS
Capital News Service
Thursday, March 3, 2011

ANNAPOLIS -- Gov. Martin O'Malley told legislators in the House Economic Matters Committee Thursday that offshore wind energy would create jobs and help the environment.

House Bill 1054 would contractually obligate utility companies to purchase some energy from offshore wind production companies for at least 20 years once wind turbines are built. If passed, local steel workers and energy companies are hoping to build the windmills in the Atlantic Ocean, about 12 miles offshore of Ocean City.

DNR Will Allow Two More Days of Rockfish Season

mskerryd — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 05:00:00 +0000

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ANNAPOLIS -- Rockfish season will re-open for two days this month beginning on Friday.

By Kerry Davis
Capital News Service

ANNAPOLIS -- Rockfish season will re-open for two days this month beginning on Friday, said Sgt. Art Windemuth, a spokesman for the Maryland Natural Resources Police.

The re-opening of rockfish season means that watermen will have only two days to try to make up for profits lost since the Department of Natural Resources closed the season at the beginning of the month due to poaching.

Lawmaker Seeks to Crack Down on "Kingpin Poachers"

mskerryd — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 05:00:00 +0000

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ANNAPOLIS -- A Maryland delegate intends to file a bill Monday that would add up to two years of jail time to a list of penalties for first-time rockfish poachers.

By Kerry Davis
Capital News Service

ANNAPOLIS -- A Maryland delegate intends to file a bill Monday that would add up to two years of jail time to a list of penalties for first-time rockfish poachers, a direct result of poaching finds by Natural Resources Police in the Chesapeake Bay this month.

Delegate Herbert McMillan, R-Annapolis, is proposing the bill after hearing about the illegal nets found in the Bay starting Feb. 1.

Natural Resources Police Serve Warrants Relating to the Rockfish Poaching Bust

mskerryd — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 22:54:29 +0000

Several Natural Resources Police officers searched a home on Tilghman Island Friday, where they served search warrants related to the 10-ton rockfish poaching bust last week.

That poaching find resulted in fisheries agencies closing gill net fishing early and offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of the fishermen responsible.

Natural Resources Police Sgt. Art Windemuth said that officers served the warrants but that the warrants were subsequently sealed by court order and he could not talk about them any further.

Natural Gas Extraction Debate Heats Up at the State House

mskerryd — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 23:20:40 +0000

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A bill that would essentially impose a hold on natural gas drilling in Western Maryland until further studies are completed will be introduced Thursday in the House of Delegates.

By Kerry Davis
Capital News Service

ANNAPOLIS -- A bill that would essentially impose a hold on natural gas drilling in Western Maryland until further studies are completed will be introduced Thursday in the House of Delegates.

It follows an opposing bill filed Friday that aims to force the Maryland Department of the Environment to approve or deny permits for a type of natural gas drilling known as hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," in Garrett County.

Gill Net Fishing Closed Early Due to 10-Ton Rockfish Poaching Bust

mskerryd — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 17:12:45 +0000

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Gill net fishing season was closed for the month and multiple agencies are offering a reward for information leading to arrests after a 10-ton rockfish poaching bust earlier this week.

By Kerry Davis
Capital News Service

ANNAPOLIS -- Gill net fishing season was closed for the month and multiple agencies are offering a reward for information leading to arrests after a 10-ton rockfish poaching bust earlier this week.

The Department of Natural Resources and other agencies announced they were closing the season Friday over concerns that the rockfish population is nearing its commercial fishing quota for the month. They also cited concerns that more illegal nets could still be found.

Natural Resources Police Haul in 10 Tons of Illegally Caught Rockfish

mskerryd — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 15:18:50 +0000

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Third Day of a Massive Poaching Find

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KENT ISLAND -- Maryland Natural Resources Police found nearly seven tons of poached rockfish in illegally anchored fishing nets on the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay Tuesday night and Wednesday, bringing the total this week to 10 tons of rockfish, authorities said.

By Kerry Davis
Capital News Service

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Cardin Law Makes Federal Government Pay Stormwater Fees

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 05:00:00 +0000

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By LAURA E. LEE
Capital News Service
Thursday, January 13, 2011

COLLEGE PARK - Local and state governments could see stormwater management fees from the federal government in "a matter of weeks," Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., said Thursday about a new law he co-sponsored.

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<p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Nancy Sutley, chair of the U.S. Council on Environmental Quality, talks to Maryland Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin Thursday about the effect water runoff has on the health of waterways like the Chesapeake Bay. Capital News Service Photo by Kerry Davis.</p> <p> </p>