AGP Executive Report

Stormwater: Charles County has treated runoff from 621 of the 1,083 acres required under its state permit, and officials say it remains on track to meet the goal by December 2027. Land Use: Calvert County planners began reviewing a proposal to undo industrial zoning on 1,352 acres in Lusby, including forest beside Calvert Cliffs. Harbor Pollution: About 5,000 gallons of molasses spilled into Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, prompting fresh concern about pollution in the waterway. Chesapeake Bay: The Bay’s water quality earned its highest score yet in the latest report card, even as a report says Maryland’s $15 million manure fund cannot show the Bay has gotten cleaner. Conservation: Partners established a 181-acre preserve along the Nanticoke River, spanning Maryland and Delaware, after a 15-year effort. Local Impacts: Middle River residents say flooding, silt and pollution from an aviation-station development are affecting nearby homes.

Stormwater: Charles County has treated runoff from 621 acres—more than halfway to its 1,083-acre permit target—and says it’s on track to meet the goal by December 2027. Land Use: Calvert planners started the process to undo industrial zoning on 1,352 acres, including forest beside Calvert Cliffs. Baltimore Harbor: About 5,000 gallons of molasses spilled into the Inner Harbor. Bay Health: The Chesapeake Bay report card reached its highest score yet, but the September dead zone swelled before a nor’easter. A separate report says Maryland’s $15 million manure fund cannot show that it reduced pollution. Wildlife: Young striped bass numbers improved, but remain about half the long-term average, keeping concern over the fishery high. Conservation: A 181-acre forest-and-wetlands preserve spanning Maryland and Delaware along the Nanticoke River and Wright Creek is now permanently protected.

Nanticoke Conservation: Maryland and Delaware partners permanently protected 181 acres of forest and wetlands along the Nanticoke River and Wright Creek, linking habitat across the state line. Chesapeake Fisheries: Maryland’s young striped bass index rose to 5.5, its best reading since 2018, but remains far below the long-term average of 10.8. Bay Pollution: A new report says Maryland’s $15 million manure fund cannot show the Bay got cleaner while pollution from large livestock operations persists. Baltimore Harbor: About 5,000 gallons of molasses spilled into the Inner Harbor, raising fresh concerns about pollution in the city’s waterfront. Bay Health: The Chesapeake Bay earned its highest score yet on the report card, though other recent findings point to ongoing challenges, including September’s expanded dead zone.

Land Conservation: Maryland and Delaware partners permanently protected 181 acres of forest and wetlands along the Nanticoke River and Wright Creek, completing a 15-year effort to safeguard habitat and strengthen a Chesapeake watershed corridor. Energy and Agriculture: A Howard County solar farm is sharing its land with more than 80 grazing sheep, while Maryland’s power squeeze is drawing attention to rising demand from data centers. Fish and Water: Young striped bass numbers improved to their highest level since 2018, but remain about half the long-term average. The Chesapeake Bay’s latest water-quality report card, meanwhile, earned its highest score on record. Local Pollution: About 5,000 gallons of molasses spilled into Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. A separate report says Maryland’s $15 million manure fund cannot show that Bay pollution has declined. Clean Transportation: Prince George’s County schools may push their all-electric bus target from 2040 to 2047, citing funding and infrastructure hurdles.

Chesapeake Bay: The Bay earned a record-high 56% in its latest report card, but September monitoring found high levels of oxygen-starved water before a nor’easter. Baltimore Harbor: About 5,000 gallons of molasses spilled into the Inner Harbor from a Westway Feed Products tank; crews worked to contain and remove it. Bay Cleanup: A report says Maryland’s $15 million manure fund cannot show that the program improved the Bay’s health, raising questions about how its results are tracked.

Chesapeake Bay: The Bay earned its highest report-card score in 40 years, at 56%, with some regions improving. But a separate review says Maryland’s $15 million manure fund cannot show that it has made the Bay cleaner, and young striped bass remain in trouble. Baltimore Harbor Spill: State inspectors confirmed about 5,000 gallons of molasses entered the Inner Harbor after a storage tank overflowed. Crews used a sand berm and water boom to contain the spill and remove the molasses. Local Waterways: Rock Creek, which runs through Montgomery County and Washington, is recovering after decades of dumping and sewer problems, though pollution remains a challenge.

Solar Growth: Maryland’s installed solar capacity has climbed from 258 megawatts to 1,000, while new state rules aim to open solar access to more residents. Bay Pollution: A report says Maryland’s $15 million manure fund cannot show that it has cleaned up the Chesapeake Bay, even as pollution concerns persist. Chesapeake Health: The watershed earned its highest grade in four decades, but monitoring found substantial low-oxygen water in the Bay before September’s nor’easter. Offshore Wind: The Trump administration is seeking to reopen approval for the 1.7-gigawatt Maryland Offshore Wind project near Ocean City, adding to its broader campaign against East Coast wind farms. Local Impacts: Middle River residents say silt and flooding from an aviation-station project are damaging their homes. Stormwater Plans: Howard County will take public comments Oct. 28 on upgrades to the Willowood 235 stormwater pond in Elkridge.

Offshore Wind: The Trump administration is again seeking to reopen approval for Maryland’s proposed offshore wind farm near Ocean City, putting its 2.2-gigawatt project at risk. Farm Pollution: A new audit alleges Maryland’s $15 million manure technology fund has not shown measurable reductions in Bay pollution, while funded projects may have worsened air quality near Eastern Shore chicken farms. Chesapeake Bay: The Bay earned its best health score in 20 years, but September monitoring found extensive low-oxygen water, and young striped bass remain in trouble. Local Watersheds: Howard County will hold an Oct. 28 community meeting on upgrades to an Elkridge stormwater pond, with construction planned for 2027.

Middle River Development: Neighbors say construction at the Aviation Station site is sending floodwater and silt into their homes and toward the Bay. The site has a history of industrial contamination, and residents and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation sued over pollution concerns. Baltimore Lead Cleanup: The city spent $20,000 removing lead paint chips from three bridges, but flakes remain near the Jones Falls Trail and waterway. Chesapeake Bay: Hypoxia swelled in the Bay before September’s nor’easter, while the watershed earned a C+, its best score in four decades. Maryland’s striped bass reproduction also remains below average for an eighth straight year. Farm Pollution: A report alleges Maryland’s fund for manure from large livestock operations spends taxpayer money while pollution persists. Clean Energy: A new $1.36 million state-backed loan will help develop seven community-solar projects across five Maryland counties, expected to serve up to 1,000 households and cut participating customers’ bills by 20%.

Baltimore Lead Cleanup: The city spent $20,000 removing toxic paint chips beneath three bridges, but debris remains near the Jones Falls and along the trail. Chesapeake Dead Zone: September monitoring found 1.02 cubic miles of oxygen-starved water in Maryland’s Bay, nearly double the long-term average and among the largest readings on record. Bay Health: The watershed earned a C-plus, its highest score in four decades, though the dead-zone surge and struggling young rockfish show persistent concerns. Farm Pollution: A new report says Maryland’s manure-waste technology fund has produced little proof of pollution reductions despite years of public spending; most of the state’s large livestock operations are in the Bay watershed. Clean Energy: A $1.36 million state-backed loan will help build seven community solar projects expected to serve up to 1,000 households, with at least 51% of capacity reserved for low- and moderate-income subscribers.

Chesapeake Fisheries: Maryland’s young striped bass index rose to its best level since 2018, but remained well below average for the eighth straight year, raising concern that weak reproduction may be the new normal. Power-Line Dispute: A federal appeals court upheld survey access to private properties for a proposed 67-mile transmission line through Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick counties, despite landowners’ objections and pending state review; some affected properties have forest or wetland protections. Bay Conditions: Maryland monitoring found substantial low-oxygen conditions in the Chesapeake before September’s nor’easter. Separate reports point to progress, with the watershed earning a C+, its highest grade in four decades, though concerns remain. Local Pollution: Back River neighbors continue to report foul odors near Baltimore’s wastewater plant. The state cited the city for nuisance odors, while the city disputes that inspections showed the smell reached surrounding areas. Sustainable Farming: University of Maryland researchers are studying aquaponics, which combines fish farming and soilless growing and could help produce food with far less water, especially in urban areas. Menhaden: Maryland lawmakers are urging tighter limits on Chesapeake Bay menhaden fishing, a key issue for the Bay’s food web.

Back River Odors: Maryland’s environment agency issued Baltimore a nuisance-odor violation after inspections found smells at the wastewater plant. The city disputes the citation, while nearby residents say the odors are persistent. Chesapeake Bay: September hypoxia covered 1.02 cubic miles of the Bay—nearly twice the historical average and the 40th-highest reading in 42 years. Sampling before and after a nor’easter complicates comparisons. Fish and Fisheries: Maryland’s striped bass reproduction index rose to 5.5, its best result since 2018 but still below average for an eighth straight year. Meanwhile, lawmakers are pressing for cuts to menhaden fishing in the Bay. Bay Health: Recent report cards show the watershed earned a C+, its highest score in four decades, and the Bay received its best grade in 20 years, though concerns remain. Waterfront Plans: Baltimore County is gathering public ideas for an 85-acre site on Seneca Creek, with options ranging from nature areas to recreation facilities.

Chesapeake Health: The Bay earned a C+, its highest score in 40 years, with the Lower Bay reaching a record B+. But Maryland’s Lower Western Shore scored a D−, and researchers say continued progress depends on restoration work. Menhaden Protection: Maryland lawmakers are urging the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to cut Chesapeake Bay fishing quotas, citing concerns about menhaden declines and osprey populations. Bay Wildlife: Chesapeake DolphinWatch has grown to more than 20,000 users and 12,000 reported sightings. Researchers are using the data to study where dolphins go—and how many visit the Bay. Water Quality: Oakland’s troubled Broadford water plant is back online after weeks of discolored water linked to elevated iron and manganese in the source lake and treatment problems. Climate and Agriculture: A warm March followed by a hard April freeze devastated Maryland vineyards, with some growers losing most of their grapes and replanting.

Chesapeake Bay: The watershed earned a C+, its highest grade in 40 years, as long-term trends improve. But Maryland’s lower western shore scored a D-. Coastal Watch: A developing nor’easter could bring coastal flooding and strong winds to the Chesapeake Bay and Ocean City early this week; the storm’s path and impacts remain uncertain. Energy and Water: BGE’s CEO says Maryland relies on power from neighboring states as data center demand grows. In Baltimore, delayed dredging at Lake Montebello could affect the quality of blended river-reservoir water. Shoreline Projects: Maryland is testing a new “QuickReef” approach to erosion, while St. Mary’s County secured a planning grant for an electric ferry.

Coastal Weather: A developing nor’easter could bring coastal flooding, strong winds and rough surf to Ocean City and the Chesapeake early next week, though its track remains uncertain. Energy: BGE CEO Tamla Olivier says Maryland’s reliance on electricity from neighboring states, rising bills and growing data-center demand raise questions about the state’s energy future. Chesapeake Bay: The Bay earned a C+—its highest health score in 20 years—as Maryland and Virginia leaders called for continued protection efforts. Shoreline Resilience: Maryland’s first QuickReef project is testing a faster, lower-cost approach to erosion, while a new St. Mary’s planning grant will advance an electric ferry proposal. Clean Buildings: The Maryland Department of the Environment and Maryland Clean Energy Center have partnered to offer building owners financing tools for decarbonization.

Baltimore Harbor: The National Aquarium and Baltimore Youth Arts unveiled an interactive exhibit imagining a healthier Inner Harbor a century from now. Water Quality: Delayed dredging at Lake Montebello could affect the quality of water blended from the reservoir and river. The Chesapeake Bay earned a C+, its best health score in 40 years, though leaders say protection work must continue. Pollution: Cow manure was blamed for killing 11,000 fish in a Maryland stream. Clean Energy: Maryland’s environment department and Clean Energy Center are offering building owners financing to cut emissions. Conservation Grants: Keep Maryland Beautiful has about $349,000 available for education, stewardship and conservation projects; applications are due Dec. 1. Stormwater: Baltimore County launched an online groundwater records portal and updated its stormwater rules.