Post by Steve Sutton on Jun 4, 2010 20:44:12 GMT -5
Secretary John Griffin and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley at Oyster Restoration
Announcement on May 21st.
Dear Friends,
Governor Martin O'Malley recently announced the new StreamHealth website, a great
tool for citizens to actually see how streams are faring in their neighborhoods.
Most Marylanders live within 15 miles of a stream.
The site offers an interactive map allowing citizens to view the health of streams
and watersheds based on data collected and assessed by the Maryland Biological Stream
Survey. StreamHealth was created through the joint effort of the Maryland Department
of Natural Resources, Maryland Environmental Service, Towson University and the
Department of Information Technology.
The website also encourages and offers everyone an opportunity to learn how to help
create healthier streams and inevitably restore our treasured resource, the Chesapeake
Bay.
Oysters are also critical to the Bay's recovery. The economic impact an expanded
oyster aquaculture industry will provide for Maryland families is a priority for
the State. Governor O'Malley's Oyster Restoration and Aquaculture Development Plan
will expand oyster sanctuaries and aquaculture leasing areas for their ecological
and economic benefits.
The State held more than 150 meetings, during which we made numerous adjustments
to our proposal to address the concerns of our stakeholders while maintaining the
integrity of the Governor's plan.
The plan, once approved, will significantly increase our network of oyster sanctuaries
from 9 percent to 25 percent. We are working on opening thousands of acres to leasing
for oyster aquaculture as well as areas off limits to leasing allowing for continued
support of a more targeted, sustainable and scientifically managed public oyster
fishery.
With the citizens of Maryland, our stakeholders and elected officials all united
in taking action and rebuilding our oyster population, we will be able to foster
environmental change and create hundreds of jobs. The overall economic impact an
expanded aquaculture industry, sanctuary network and scientifically managed based
public fishery could include millions of dollars for the State.
These efforts will allow the people of Maryland to join us in our continued agenda
of creating a healthy Bay today and for future generations. I invite you to visit
www.streamhealth.maryland.gov to see what you can do!
Announcement on May 21st.
Dear Friends,
Governor Martin O'Malley recently announced the new StreamHealth website, a great
tool for citizens to actually see how streams are faring in their neighborhoods.
Most Marylanders live within 15 miles of a stream.
The site offers an interactive map allowing citizens to view the health of streams
and watersheds based on data collected and assessed by the Maryland Biological Stream
Survey. StreamHealth was created through the joint effort of the Maryland Department
of Natural Resources, Maryland Environmental Service, Towson University and the
Department of Information Technology.
The website also encourages and offers everyone an opportunity to learn how to help
create healthier streams and inevitably restore our treasured resource, the Chesapeake
Bay.
Oysters are also critical to the Bay's recovery. The economic impact an expanded
oyster aquaculture industry will provide for Maryland families is a priority for
the State. Governor O'Malley's Oyster Restoration and Aquaculture Development Plan
will expand oyster sanctuaries and aquaculture leasing areas for their ecological
and economic benefits.
The State held more than 150 meetings, during which we made numerous adjustments
to our proposal to address the concerns of our stakeholders while maintaining the
integrity of the Governor's plan.
The plan, once approved, will significantly increase our network of oyster sanctuaries
from 9 percent to 25 percent. We are working on opening thousands of acres to leasing
for oyster aquaculture as well as areas off limits to leasing allowing for continued
support of a more targeted, sustainable and scientifically managed public oyster
fishery.
With the citizens of Maryland, our stakeholders and elected officials all united
in taking action and rebuilding our oyster population, we will be able to foster
environmental change and create hundreds of jobs. The overall economic impact an
expanded aquaculture industry, sanctuary network and scientifically managed based
public fishery could include millions of dollars for the State.
These efforts will allow the people of Maryland to join us in our continued agenda
of creating a healthy Bay today and for future generations. I invite you to visit
www.streamhealth.maryland.gov to see what you can do!