The Chesapeake Bay Foundation recognized Governor Martin O’Malley on Oct. 22, for his leadership on environmental issues. O’Malley was honored at the CBF Board of Trustees meeting at the Willard Hotel.
“I am not going to tell you – nor would the Governor say – that the job is done,” said CBF President William C. Baker. “But I believe that a new day may be dawning for the Chesapeake Bay, and Governor O’Malley’s hard work and leadership have helped us get here.”
Among other accomplishments, CBF recognized O’Malley for:
BayStat: Through an Executive Order in 2007, the Governor created this rigorous accounting program for state agencies to ensure progress is being made in restoring the Bay. Recognizing the importance of coordination and frequent assessment of restoration efforts, the Obama administration incorporated the BayStat approach in the recent draft Executive Order reports on Federal Bay Restoration efforts in a program called ChesapeakeStat.
Two-year Milestones: The Governor went a step further than the other members of the Chesapeake Executive Council and committed to have all of the necessary implementation mechanisms for clean water in place by 2020, five years in front of the other watershed states, the District of Columbia and the federal government, which have committed to a 2025 deadline.
Crabs: Governor O’Malley, working with Virginia Governor Kaine, had the vision and commitment to science-based fishery management that resulted in strong crabbing rules in 2008 to address the significant decline in the Bay’s blue crab population. As a result the Baywide crab population has showed strong improvement in last winter's survey.
Oysters: Working with Governor Kaine, Governor O’Malley’s administration played a key role in the decision to prohibit the introduction of Asian oysters in the Bay. In addition he has worked to restore the native oyster population and cut through the red tape that prevented the development of an oyster aquaculture industry in Maryland.
Global warming: When the O’Malley Administration sponsored Maryland’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act it placed Maryland out in front of the efforts to curb global warming and helped put in place lasting environmental protections. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act requires the State to achieve a 25 percent reduction in statewide greenhouse gas emissions from 2006 levels by 2020.
Environmental Education / Children in Nature: The Governor has positioned Maryland as the nation’s leader on environmental education. In 2008, the Governor issued an Executive Order creating the Partnership for Children in Nature. The Governor tasked the partnership with creating an environmental literacy plan for Maryland students, increasing opportunities for structured outdoor learning in state parks, and ensuring the environmental literacy of students that graduate from Maryland schools.
“The clock is ticking for the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, and we are fortunate to have Governor O’Malley’s leadership at this critical time,” said D. Keith Campbell, Chairman of CBF’s Board of Trustees.
