Hoyer and Discovery Village Working to Save the Bay
SHADYSIDE, MD - Congressman Steny Hoyer joined the founder of Discovery Village, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and 30 4th grade students from Shadyside Elementary School to dedicate land on the Discovery Village property that will be restored as a natural vegetated shoreline. The natural shoreline includes the creation of a terrapin nesting beach and marsh islands for the numerous wildlife habitats.
Congressman Hoyer played an integral role in helping Discovery Village complete the extensive requirements to obtain a permit to proceed with the restoration. Their application was approved earlier this year. Following are the remarks Congressman Hoyer gave at the ceremony, as prepared for delivery.
"Today marks another step forward in our efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay to the way it was years ago. With this living shoreline we establish a nesting bed for terrapins, anchor native aquatic vegetation and bring the area back to its natural setting.
"As all of you know, the numerous projects being done here at Discovery Village will have a vast impact on this area and provide a tremendous resource for young people throughout the region to learn about the importance of protecting and saving our environment.
"This year marks the 31st anniversary of Senator Mathias's Chesapeake tour. On June 22, 1973, Senator Charles Mathias began a five-day, 450-mile tour of the Chesapeake Bay, listening to over 150 scientists, business leaders, conservationists, farmers, and watermen.
"This tour generated a number of legislative and executive actions, which led to an unprecedented comprehensive study of the Chesapeake Bay by the EPA. The study prompted the creation of the modern Chesapeake Bay Program and the Chesapeake Bay Commission in 1983.
"The past 30 years have given us cause for celebration - the Chesapeake is the best-studied estuary in the world, scientists have been able to define challenges confronting the Bay, as well as pinpoint some solutions to reverse the current decline.
"We have witnessed a decrease in pollution; however, we are not meeting our goals. Nutrients - nitrogen and phosphorus - remain our biggest hurdle. Sewer overflow and agriculture are critical to controlling these sediments and we need to rededicate ourselves on the federal, state, and local level in order to remove the Bay from the EPA's impaired water list.
"The Bay should be recognized as a national treasure and put on the same level as the Florida Everglades. Federal agencies must better fund, coordinate, and prioritize protection and restoration efforts.
"And each of us must do our part to learn about the Bay, protect its tributaries and shores and work to keep it clean. Much of the Bay's future depends on the choices made every day by the millions of people who live within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
"What each of us does on the land - including the use of automobiles, fertilizers, pesticides, electricity, and even water - effects streams, rivers, and ultimately, the Bay. We must foster a link between people and the environment for the long-term health of the Bay.
"And while we all recognize the recreation and economical value of these beautiful waters, if conservation, education and preservation are not taught, we endanger North America's largest estuary and rob future generations of this wondrous body of water."
Congressman Hoyer helped dedicate the new shoreline and joined in a tree planting ceremony with Adam Hewison, Founder of Discovery Village; Kevin Smith, Watershed Restoration Specialist, Maryland Department of Natural Resources; Principal Linda Waldman and 30 4th grade students from the Shadyside Elementary School; Bea Poulin, and County Community Services Representative for Anne Arundel County.