Statement from Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown Applauding Regional Partnerships to Solve Water Issues in Northeast Maryland

 

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 17, 2009) – Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown released the following statement today applauding local leaders’ efforts to work collaboratively to provide safe, efficient and sustainable access to water in northeast Maryland:

“Because of our strong partnerships across every level of government – state, county and local – I am pleased to announce that we have developed a long-term, formal agreement to developing sustainable water access to northeast Maryland for years to come.

“Governor O’Malley and I know that strong, regional partnerships are the best way to increase the reliability of our water systems, to provide businesses with the water that is required for economic growth and to ensure that the character of our neighbors defines our development.

“I applaud all the leaders who came to the table during this process and embraced our One Maryland approach to government.”

On Friday, Brown convened a follow-up meeting to November’s Intergovernmental Northeast Water Summit. Leaders from Baltimore, Cecil and Harford Counties, Baltimore City and municipalities in Cecil and Harford Counties participated, including Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon, Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, Harford County Executive David Craig, Cecil County Commissioner Wayne Tome and Aberdeen Mayor Michael Bennett.

Following Friday’s follow up meeting, all the leaders signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU). The MOU documents an agreement by the parties to participate in a coordinated regional effort to develop the water supply in northeast Maryland in a manner that is consistent with the principles of SmartGrowth. The MOU further assures citizens and local businesses that the jurisdictions will work together to ensure that their water system is reliable and that resources are being used efficiently.

The MOU is the most recent and most significant accomplishment in Brown’s efforts to develop a cooperative agreement to provide efficient delivery of water to the growing communities around northeast Maryland. Other accomplishments include:

  • The completion of two federally-supported studies to quantify water supply capacity and future demand for water systems in Harford and Cecil Counties and to identify options for financing necessary system improvements;
  • An agreement between Harford County and the City of Aberdeen to provide an additional 100,000 gallons per day to Aberdeen from County sources;
  • A Baltimore County initiative to collect information from each of the northeast jurisdictions to determine long-term water demand through 2050;
  • Discussions between Baltimore City, the Maryland Department of Environment and the multi-state Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) regarding permit modifications to increase withdrawals from the Susquehanna River; and
  • The recent expansion of the Perryville Water Plant in Cecil County.

The northeast Maryland region will experience significant population and economic growth in the coming years because of Base Realignment and Closure and additional economic development. The ongoing intergovernmental conversation about water concerns in the region is intended to ensure SmartGrowth principles and regional partnerships are fully utilized as a component of Maryland’s BRAC growth.

 

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