![[photo, Maryland Environmental Service, 259 Najoles Road, Millersville, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/25ind/images/1198-1-859.jpg)
On July 1, 1970, the Maryland Environmental Service was created as an independent agency (Chapter 240, Acts of 1970). It joined the Department of Natural Resources in 1972, and later separated from the Department to become a public instrumentality of the State in 1993 (Chapter 196, Acts of 1993).
The Maryland Environmental Service provides water supply systems and manages liquid, solid and hazardous wastes for private industry and federal, State and local governments. Operating funds for the Service are generated by fees charged for its services to private entities, and federal, State and local governments. The Service also may issue revenue bonds (Code Natural Resources Article, secs. 3-101 through 3-130).
Maryland Environmental Service, 259 Najoles Road, Millersville, Maryland, August 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Environmental protection programs that are State-mandated, such as scrap tire stockpile cleanup and recovery, and used motor oil and antifreeze recycling are overseen by Environmental Operations.
Environmental Operations also conducts yard waste and composting projects such as the Mid-Shore Regional Landfill in Talbot County; the Yard Debris Composting Facility in Montgomery County; and the Regional Yard Debris Composting Facility in Prince George's County. The division also operates the Montgomery County Material Recycling Facility, the Baltimore County Resource Recovery Facility, and the Western Acceptance Facility in Baltimore County.
Byproducts of recycling are marketed by the Service. Leaves and grass clippings from local landfills are composted and sold as soil conditioner. In January 2003, the Service opened a crumb rubber manufacturing facility in Halethorpe, Baltimore County. The facility converts scrap tires into rubber nuggets used by manufacturers to make consumer and industrial products, such as mats, buckets, fenceposts, insulation, and sound barriers.
EASTERN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION CO-GENERATION PLANT
MATERIALS HANDLING & SOLID WASTE
ENVIRONMENTAL DREDGING & RESTORATION
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING
WATER & WASTEWATER ENGINEERING
WATER & WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
The water and wastewater treatment plant at the Eastern Correctional Institution in Somerset County are operated and maintained by this division. In addition, the division operates the Wastewater Plant at the Maryland Correctional Institution-Hagerstown in Washington County.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A nine-member Board of Directors governs the Service. The Board Director and five members are appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. With the Governor's approval, a Deputy Director, Secretary, and Treasurer are named by the Director. Nonofficer members serve four-year terms (Code Natural Resources Article, sec. 3-103).
ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATIONS
Environmental Operations began as Environmental Services and Waste Management, and reorganized under its present name in 2004. Environmental Operations is responsible for the Eastern Correctional Institution Co-Generation Plant; Materials Handling and Solid Waste; Oil and CFC Recovery; Recycling Operations; Recycling Programs; Solid Waste Engineering; and the Tire Recycling Plant.
To meet the energy needs of the Eastern Correctional Institution in Somerset County, Environmental Operations runs a co-generation facility which burns wood chips for steam, hot water, and electricity.
At sanitary landfills, incinerators, and resource recovery facilities, the Environmental Operations disposes of hazardous and solid waste.
TECHNICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Technical and Environmental Services was formed in 2004. It includes two divisions: Environmental Dredging and Restoration, and Environmental Monitoring.
Environmental Dredging and Restoration provides dredged materials management services, including planning design, and environmental studies. It assesses dredging needs and placement options and assists in obtaining permits for tributary dredging projects. To help rebuild oyster and fishing reefs in the Chesapeake Bay, the division is introducing man-made reef systems. The division operates and maintains the Hart-Miller Dredged-Material Containment Facility in Baltimore County, as well as the Poplar Island restoration project in Talbot County.
Environmental Monitoring assists clients with storm water management and storm water pollution prevention plans. For State and local governments and the private sector, it conducts assessments and laboratory analyses of ground water.
WATER & WASTEWATER SERVICES
Organized in 2005, Water and Wastewater Services is responsible for Water and Wastewater Engineering; Water and Wastewater Maintenance; and Water and Wastewater Management.
Water and Wastewater Engineering originated as Engineering Services in 2004 under Technical and Environmental Services. In 2005, it reformed as Water and Wastewater Engineering and transferred to Water and Wastewater Services. This office assists private clients and local, State, and federal government agencies to manage capital improvement projects at water and wastewater treatment facilities, and water distribution and sewer collection systems. In addition, the division investigates and designs solutions for plant operation problems. To municipalities, the division provides technical assistance in applying for and administering federal and State environmental protection grants and loans.
Formerly under Environmental Operations, Water and Wastewater Management transferred to Water and Wastewater Services in 2005. This division works to ensure a safe drinking-water supply and minimize the environmental impact of residential and industrial wastewater discharge. County, municipal and private facilities, as well as all State plants at correctional institutions, health facilities, rest areas, and parks are operated and maintained by this division. Wastewater sludge and dredged material from waterways also are managed by the division.
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e-mail: mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us