The following article was submitted by Sixth District Delegate Bob Long about the Trump Administration responding to concerns about the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Last week, I received correspondence from the Trump Administration and EPA Region 3 thanking me for reaching out about Back River. As we all know, this is a critical issue that has impacted our environment, public health, and quality of life.
In recent months, many of you have reached out to my office with serious concerns about the condition of the plant, the repeated violations of environmental standards, and the impact these failures are having not just on our local waterways, but on the broader Chesapeake Bay watershed.
I have been working diligently behind the scenes to ensure that your voices are heard at every level of government.
This past week, I received a formal response from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Trump administration regarding the Back River Plant’s condition and operational deficiencies. They are closely monitoring the situation.
We will be working with MDE moving forward to ensure the plant is operating in a safe and lawful manner.
Just a few days ago Mayor Scott formally requested an extension of 16 years (to 2046), to fix Baltimore City’s failing sewer system. To me, this is an admission that the current rate of repairs is not nearly enough. This does not mean that our citizens should have to wait an extra 16 years for this problem to be solved.
Just this past week, there was a large plume of muck visible at the Inner Harbor. A major fish kill ensued; it has been reported that nearly 24,000 fish were killed due to the runoff from nearby thunderstorms.
It is clear that the overflowing sewage is at least partially responsible for the terrible water quality we continue to see that affects people and the environment around us.
Over a half a billion dollars of taxpayer money was invested in holding tanks to be used in the event of a torrential storm to hold the sewage from Baltimore City due to the leaking sewer system being inundated with rainwater.
During a severe torrential rain event, the tanks are to hold any overflow of sewage which would be treated at a later time. In theory, this should have stopped any overflow into the Chesapeake Bay.
Our children deserve a bay they can enjoy without the fear of swimming in literal feces.
This issue is incredibly important to me, and I will continue to fight for us. Hopefully, I have another update soon.
