AGP Executive Report

Mercury Response: A possible mercury spill in Lutherville (8600 block of Tower Bridge Way) sent six people to hospitals for evaluation and decontamination; MDE and the Baltimore County Department of Health responded, and the cause is under investigation. Chesapeake Bay Fishing Rules: Maryland DNR is lifting the August striped bass targeting ban on Aug. 31, ending a closure meant to protect younger resident fish; violations could bring up to $2,000 fines. Packaging Pollution Policy: A federal judge upheld Oregon’s extended producer responsibility packaging law, a major win for states using producer fees to fund recycling and waste cleanup—an approach Maryland already has on the books. Climate & Wildlife Risk: Scientists warn that reopening shipping lanes after the Strait of Hormuz disruption could spread invasive marine species worldwide, with a study led by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. Local Housing & Community: Maryland Housing Secretary Jake Day will speak Sept. 4 in Easton on expanding affordable housing and community development.

Mercury Emergency in Lutherville: A possible mercury spill on Tower Bridge Way sent six people to hospitals for evaluation and decontamination, with Maryland Department of the Environment and Baltimore County health officials monitoring the scene while the cause is investigated. Chesapeake Conservation Legacy: A former private hunting preserve tied to aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin has become Martin National Wildlife Refuge, protecting Chesapeake Bay marshes and habitat for migratory birds. Tribal Recognition Effort: The Conestoga-Susquehannock community is pushing for state recognition, with acting historian Michael Mantooth documenting a continuous connection to the region despite claims that their history ended in 1763. Farm Impacts from Spring Cold Snap: Apple picking in the D.C. region is expected to be limited after a mid-April frost devastated crops, with Maryland reporting major losses across multiple counties. Data Center Backlash in Maryland: Residents and local officials are weighing moratoriums and bans as concerns grow over water use, diesel pollution, and grid strain tied to data center development. Packaging Pollution Policy: A federal judge upheld Oregon’s plastic Extended Producer Responsibility law, a decision that could shape how similar EPR fights play out in states including Maryland. Wildlife Festival Spotlight: Easton’s Waterfowl Festival returns Nov. 13–15, 2026, celebrating 55 years with a new Sporting Heritage Pavilion.

Hazard Response: Six people were hospitalized after a possible mercury spill in Lutherville (Baltimore County), with Maryland Department of Environment and county health officials monitoring the 8600 block of Tower Bridge Way while the cause is investigated. Pollution & Waste Policy: A federal judge upheld Oregon’s producer-pay recycling law, a major win for “extended producer responsibility” efforts that Maryland and other states are pursuing to shift plastic waste costs to manufacturers. Public Health & Climate Risk: Scientists are tracking how warming waters may expand the range of Naegleria fowleri, the “brain-eating amoeba,” with recent cases renewing attention on where the organism can thrive in warm freshwater. Local Water & Flood Resilience: Cambridge is advancing a “Make Cambridge Resilient” plan to protect its Choptank River waterfront, including a flood wall and engineered marsh/wetlands to absorb excess water as flooding risk rises. Data Centers & Community Pressure: A Baltimore-area hearing highlighted residents’ concerns about data centers driving pollution and traffic, as opposition grows across the Chesapeake region. Wildlife Protection: Ocean Pines is exploring a pollinator garden near North Gate Pond, aiming to boost habitat and community stewardship. WMATA Training: WMATA is seeking public comment on a new training center in Prince George’s County that would consolidate transit training into a purpose-built facility.

Data Centers & Local Pollution: Baltimore’s Planning Commission held a heated hearing on Council Bill 26-0174, which would set new rules for data centers as the city’s moratorium nears its end, including health equity self-assessments tied to pollution, drinking water, noise, and traffic. Immigration Enforcement & Community Impact: In Salisbury, Haitian residents described how ICE raids and TPS terminations are reshaping daily life and safety, with families calling for changes to enforcement. Food Safety: Federal officials closed the multistate Requeson listeria investigation tied to a Mechanicsville, Maryland recall, reporting 15 illnesses and noting the latest case began after the recall expansion. Public Health: A rabid bat was found on UMES’s campus; officials urged reporting sick wildlife and taking exposure precautions. Chesapeake Bay Fisheries: Public comments are open on proposed Chesapeake Bay menhaden limits, including a proposal that could cut the industrial harvest cap in half. Eastern Shore Water Quality Monitoring: Shorerivers earned a top-tier bacteria monitoring certification through state and Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative recognition. Land Use & “Green” Burial Debate: Earth Funeral secured zoning approval for composting human remains on the Eastern Shore, with neighbors and officials raising environmental and ethical questions. Transportation & Environment: MDOT is restarting environmental analysis and preliminary design for widening Route 90 into Ocean City. Power Reliability: A look at Maryland’s worst summer power outage areas points to the hardest-hit parts of BGE’s service territory.

Data Centers & Affordability: Maryland’s climate fight is colliding with hyperscale growth as a new report warns soaring PJM power costs and grid strain could derail the state’s emissions targets, while Local Governance: Frederick County is holding public open houses to explain how it oversees data center development. Community Pushback: A coalition of 64 Maryland groups is urging Gov. Wes Moore and lawmakers to impose a moratorium on new hyperscale data centers. Transportation Emissions: Maryland announced $28.5M to electrify school buses and expand EV charging, aiming to cut greenhouse gases and help with fuel costs. Water Safety: Baltimore County is mailing guidance so residents can check what their water service lines are made of under the Lead and Copper Rule, with free inspections and replacements where needed. Chesapeake Watershed Monitoring: Shorerivers earned top-tier recognition for bacteria monitoring, boosting research and water-quality work on the Eastern Shore. Wildlife & Agriculture: Dorchester County farmers are pressing for action as sika deer damage crops, with losses estimated at tens of millions statewide. Coastal Infrastructure: Baltimore’s Harbor Connector is getting nearly $11M for hybrid ferries to make harbor travel cleaner and more accessible.

Rabies Alert on UMES Campus: Somerset County health officials say a rabid bat was found at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, with guidance to avoid contact and vaccinate pets. Wildlife & Bay Life: A Maryland guide explains how to spot American sturgeon in Chesapeake waters and why their presence can signal healthier rivers. Transportation & Clean Transit: Baltimore’s Harbor Connector is getting nearly $11 million to replace three diesel ferries with hybrid vessels and expand accessibility. Bridge Rebuild Watch: Maryland Transportation Authority says the Key Bridge replacement remains on schedule, with crews finishing foundation work and preparing demolition steps. Local Water Safety: Maryland’s Eastern Shore farmers push for more help with deer crop damage, saying permits and support don’t match the losses. Community Food Strain: Talbot County hunger coverage highlights how housing costs and rising need are stretching local food pantries. State Fair Weekend: The Maryland State Fair opens in Lutherville-Timonium, with DNR activities and lots of family-friendly agriculture. Data Centers Debate: A union warns it won’t back anti–data center candidates as counties consider moratoriums.

Bridge Rebuild Watch: Maryland Transportation Authority says the Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement is still on schedule and within budget, with crews nearly done driving deep foundation piles and adding vessel protection piles; next up is finishing access trestles and starting demolition and sediment removal. Wildlife & Public Health: Somerset County health officials found a rabid bat on the University of Maryland Eastern Shore campus, urging residents to avoid contact with sick wildlife and keep pets vaccinated. Rabies Alerts: The same week also brought rabid raccoon reports in Princess Anne, reinforcing Maryland’s push for quick reporting and pet vaccination. Chesapeake Bay Transportation: Baltimore’s Harbor Connector is getting nearly $11 million in federal funding to replace three diesel ferries with hybrid vessels and add a fourth, improving accessibility for riders with mobility devices. Energy & Data Centers: PJM filed proposals that could reshape how large data centers buy power, including a special auction approach; Maryland stakeholders are split on whether it will curb costs or shift burdens. Agriculture Regulation: Maryland expanded eligibility for five-year nutrient management plan extensions for qualifying low-risk operations, aiming to cut paperwork while protecting soil health and Chesapeake Bay water quality. Plastic Pollution: A new global cleanup report highlights plastic bottles and caps as the most common pollutants found worldwide.

Data Centers & Air Rules: The EPA is moving to scrap public notice for certain data center pollution permits, letting states decide whether communities get a say—sparking fresh backlash as AI-driven power demand grows. Western Maryland Conservation: Savage Highlands State Park opens Aug. 28 in Garrett County, adding yurts, campsites, and trail access to the 55,000-acre Savage River State Forest. Chesapeake Bay Wildlife: Menhaden—small forage fish—are highlighted as a key link in the Bay’s food web, supporting predators from striped bass to ospreys. Public Health & Mosquito Control: Maryland’s Department of Agriculture plans unscheduled mosquito spraying in Prince George’s County’s Lake Arbor area after 9 p.m. Aug. 26 (weather backup Aug. 27). Rabies Alerts: A raccoon in Somerset County tested positive for rabies, and residents are urged to avoid contact and keep pets vaccinated. Assateague Safety: A petition is pushing for a 15 mph speed limit on Assateague Island roads after horse deaths tied to vehicle collisions.

Mosquito Control Alert (Prince George’s): Maryland Department of Agriculture will run unscheduled, ultra-low volume permethrin spraying in the Lake Arbor area on Aug. 26 after 9 p.m., with Aug. 27 as a backup, and residents are urged to avoid outdoor activity during treatment. Wildlife & Rabies Watch (Somerset/Princess Anne): Somerset County Health Department confirmed a raccoon tested positive for rabies near West Post Office Road and advised residents to avoid contact with wild animals and keep pets vaccinated. Public Safety Funding (Hate Crimes Grants): Gov. Moore announced $10 million in FY27 Protection Against Hate Crimes grants for 116 organizations across 16 counties and Baltimore City to harden facilities and improve emergency readiness. Conservation & Land Protection (Washington County): A 47.79-acre farm in Smithsburg was permanently preserved through the state’s Program Open Space–Stateside easement program, adding to Washington County’s growing protected acreage. Local Environment Policy (Annapolis City Dock): Annapolis says its City Dock resiliency project is ahead of schedule, shrinking the construction footprint sooner, with a main reopening targeted for summer 2027. Drone Rules (Maryland): A guide highlights how Maryland drone flying depends on FAA airspace rules plus local and property restrictions, warning pilots not to assume a familiar spot is always legal. Rabies Reopenings (Cunningham Falls): Maryland DNR reopened Hunting Creek Lake access after monitoring found no additional rabid beavers following two attacks. Community Wildlife Messaging (Worcester): Worcester County Animal Control urged residents to reduce wildlife conflicts by securing trash, feeding pets indoors, and limiting easy access to homes.

Data Centers in Maryland: A new explainer looks at how hyperscale data centers are spreading across the state—and why local governments are increasingly pushing back with moratoriums and bans as power and water demands rise. Coastal Flooding Risk: Satellite findings suggest sea level rise impacts could be worse than expected in some Maryland-like bays, because tides can swing by nearly a meter across short distances—meaning neighboring communities may face very different flooding and saltwater intrusion. Rabies & Wildlife Safety: Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County reopened Hunting Creek Lake after two rabid beaver attacks; separate guidance also followed a rabid groundhog alert in Harford County. Local Conservation: Eastern Shore Land Conservancy permanently protected 231+ acres in Kent County with a conservation easement, including farmland, forest habitat, and creek buffers. Community & Environment Policy: Maryland educators are warning that proposed federal Head Start rollbacks could weaken staffing rules that affect classroom sizes for young children. Offshore Wind Setback: Offshore wind projects are struggling under federal headwinds, with payouts to surrender development rights wiping out major potential capacity.

Artificial Reef Update: Delaware sank a retired 180-foot menhaden vessel off the coast as part of its Del-Jersey-Land Reef program, after EPA and Coast Guard sign-off following remediation. Eastern Shore Conservation: Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and the Galt family permanently protected 231 acres in Kent County with a REPI-backed conservation easement, preserving cropland, forest habitat, and creek buffers. Wildlife Health Alert: Harford County warned residents after a groundhog tested positive for rabies in Jarrettsville, urging leash use, rabies shots, and no feeding or handling of wildlife. State Park Reopening: Maryland DNR reopened Hunting Creek Lake access at Cunningham Falls State Park after monitoring found no evidence of rabid beavers, while another beaver-related closure at Seneca Creek State Park remains under investigation. Local Climate Politics: The Maryland chapter of the Sierra Club shifted its Montgomery County executive backing from Evan Glass to Will Jawando, citing pollution and extreme heat impacts. Worcester County Land Use Fight: Worcester’s zoning board approved a human-composting conservation site plan in Snow Hill, drawing resident pushback over farmland and the project’s location.

Data Centers & Power: Kentucky’s Public Service Commission approved a retail electric service deal for TeraWulf’s Justified Data Campus, clearing up to 482 MW and shifting project costs and risks to the customer. Rural Health Funding: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is touting $80 million to expand rural primary care, mental health, and dental services, funded through a federal rural health program created by Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill. Inner Harbor Park Upgrade: Baltimore’s Rash Field Park is pushing toward a summer opening for its second phase of a $35 million waterfront makeover, adding shade, fitness, courts, a beach, and a nature walk. Clean Air Policy Fight: Virginia’s push to ban gas-powered leaf blowers is moving ahead even after Maryland lawmakers blocked local bans—highlighting how state rules shape local pollution control. Wildlife & Rabies Alerts: Maryland reported additional rabid animals after beaver attacks in Charles County, renewing public guidance on what to do if you encounter wildlife. State Parks Access: Maryland DNR is opening Savage Highlands State Park Aug. 28, expanding outdoor access in Garrett County with cabins, yurts, and trails. Heat Safety for Youth: A national call is growing for stronger heat illness emergency plans for student athletes as extreme heat continues to threaten kids’ health.

New State Park Opening: Maryland DNR will officially open Savage Highlands State Park on Aug. 28, expanding access to about 55,000 acres of Savage River State Forest near Frostburg, with cabins, yurts, and new trails after the state acquired the former Savage River Lodge. Wildlife Health Alert: Charles County health officials report a bat and a skunk tested positive for rabies in Waldorf and Port Tobacco, urging residents to avoid contact with unknown animals; a free drive-through rabies clinic is set for Oct. 18 and Nov. 15. Climate Extremes Watch: A potentially record-breaking El Niño is strengthening and could peak in 2026-27, with global agencies urging preparations for extreme weather impacts that can last years. Outdoor/Community Access: The park opening adds another gateway for hiking, biking, fishing, paddling, and hunting across Western Maryland’s public lands. Maritime Environment: The U.S. transferred two Marine Protector-class patrol boats to the Philippine Coast Guard in Baltimore, with the vessels expected to support oil-spill response and marine protection.

Maryland Outdoor Access: Savage Highlands State Park is set to officially open Aug. 28, expanding public access to more than 50,000 acres of wilderness near Frostburg in Garrett County, with cabins, yurts, and trails that connect to the Savage River State Forest. Wildlife Health Alerts: Charles County health officials report a rabid skunk in Port Tobacco and a rabid bat in Waldorf, urging residents to avoid unknown wildlife; it follows recent rabies-positive beaver attacks at Maryland state parks. Coastal & Park Advocacy: A nationwide “United by Parks Day of Action” is planned for Aug. 25, with events including Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland, pushing for stronger park protection and funding. Climate/Space Concern: NASA research suggests some Earth microbes could survive for weeks to months near the moon’s south pole under certain conditions, raising worries about unintended life transfer. Education & Policy: Anne Arundel County Public Schools revised its gender policy after a federal threat, telling parents about accommodations related to gender expression or identity.

Rabies Alerts in Charles County: A bat in Waldorf and a skunk in Port Tobacco both tested positive for rabies, following recent rabid beaver attacks at Maryland state parks. Health officials urge residents to avoid contact with unknown wildlife and to call the county health department if there was any exposure. Wildlife-Safe Practices: Maryland DNR also reiterated basic steps for encounters—keep distance, don’t approach or feed animals, protect pets, and call for help when an animal seems injured or unusually aggressive. New State Park Access: Savage Highlands State Park in Garrett County is set to open Aug. 28, expanding public access to about 50,000 acres of state forest and outdoor recreation near Frostburg. Outdoor Community at the Water: Slack Tide Yoga and Washington College’s Center for Environment & Society are launching “Yoga in the Living Landscape” at the Chester River waterfront in September and October. Invasive Species Risk Beyond Maryland: A University of Maryland-led study warns that stranded ships in the Strait of Hormuz could spread invasive marine life worldwide once traffic resumes.

Rabies Alert in Charles County: A bat in Waldorf and a skunk in Port Tobacco both tested positive for rabies, following recent beaver attacks at Maryland state parks; health officials urge residents to avoid contact with unknown wildlife and note free drive-through rabies clinics in La Plata on Oct. 18 and Nov. 15. Wildlife Encounter Guidance: Maryland DNR reminds people to keep distance, don’t approach or feed wildlife, and protect pets—especially when animals act injured, trapped, or unusually aggressive. School Turf Fight in Montgomery County: Students and the county executive oppose more artificial turf fields, arguing for environmental and health concerns as MCPS plans replacements and new installations at multiple schools. Invasive Species Risk from Shipping: A new study warns that more than 1,500 stranded vessels in the Strait of Hormuz could act like a “super-spreader” for invasive marine organisms once traffic resumes. Clean Energy in Maryland: Maryland’s Board of Public Works approved a 20-year solar power purchase agreement tied to a reclaimed coal mine in Garrett County, aiming to cut costs and emissions. Land Conservation Wins: Trust for Public Land and Maryland DNR completed projects adding 61 acres to Gunpowder Falls State Park and creating a 70-acre Swanson Creek Wildlife Management Area in Charles County.