February Advocacy Updates
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February Advocacy Updates

January was a big month for local climate advocacy. Mayor Scott announced a goal for Baltimore City to become carbon neutral by 2045, and there were City Council hearings on three bills in Councilman Mark Conway’s climate package. Maryland’s legislative session also kicked off on January 12th, during which state legislators will consider dozens of…

A Year in Review: 2021 Water Wins 
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A Year in Review: 2021 Water Wins 

It’s been a whirlwind of a year on all fronts, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. We’ve navigated through many challenges, welcomed new staff members to our BWB family, and we’re working every day to hold polluters accountable. So, what has your Baltimore Waterkeeper team been up to?   Growing our Team of Water Protectors  Our…

New Mayor, New Momentum 

This winter, I had the honor of serving on Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s Transition Committee on Environment and Sustainability. This committee was comprised of leaders from across Baltimore working on issues related to solid waste reduction, climate change mitigation, renewable energy, healthy food access and water – drinking water, waste water, stormwater, and the health of our waterways.   It was an intense, and…

Take Action! Protect Our Urban Tree Canopy
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Take Action! Protect Our Urban Tree Canopy

If you follow our work at Blue Water Baltimore, you know that we are all about trees. Why? Trees clean our air and water, reduce flooding, lower temperatures and energy bills, improve public health and social cohesion, and beautify our neighborhoods.  Planting trees is a critical part of our work to restore the health of…

Our Priorities This 2020 Legislative Session

Our Priorities This 2020 Legislative Session

As you’ve probably heard, Maryland is currently in the midst of our annual Legislative Session. Our state’s General Assembly is meeting from January 8th – April 6th in Annapolis to discuss, debate, and advance legislation for the year to come. During the 2020 Legislative Session, Blue Water Baltimore is supporting two priority bills that would…

Baltimore’s Bag Ban: What Will It Do? What’s Next?
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Baltimore’s Bag Ban: What Will It Do? What’s Next?

Eight attempts at a Baltimore plastic bag ban have come and gone since 2006. Today, nine times proved to be the charm.  This morning, Mayor Jack Young signed the Comprehensive Bag Reduction Bill into law. The signing drew dozens of advocates, city officials, press, and community members together.  In Baltimore, plastic bags are everywhere. They…

Action Alert: Speak Up and Rally Against Sewage Backups
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Action Alert: Speak Up and Rally Against Sewage Backups

Sewage doesn’t belong in our streets – or our homes.  Speak out against sewage backups into buildings in Baltimore City. Join us at Baltimore City Council’s upcoming hearing on sewage backups and a pre-hearing rally! Wednesday November 13, 2019 4pm: Rally at War Memorial Plaza (will also be livestreamed on our Facebook page) 5pm to…

Baltimore Water Watch: Presenting Our 2018 Water Quality Scores
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Baltimore Water Watch: Presenting Our 2018 Water Quality Scores

How’s the Water, Hon? Blue Water Baltimore is thrilled to announce the launch of our new water quality mapping platform: www.baltimorewaterwatch.org!  We worked with the experts at Chesapeake Commons for our new innovative approach to data visualization.  For the first time ever, we are able share in-depth information about the specific measurements of water health…

Victory! Court Rules in Favor of Blue Water Baltimore and requires EPA to act on Stormwater Pollution
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Victory! Court Rules in Favor of Blue Water Baltimore and requires EPA to act on Stormwater Pollution

A federal district court in Maryland ruled last week that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wrongfully denied our petition to regulate stormwater runoff from commercial, industrial, and institutional sites in the Back River watershed. Blue Water Baltimore and its allies took this fight against dangerous stormwater discharges to court so that polluters who contribute…