AquaCon’s Proposed Industrial Salmon Farm Represents a Major Environmental Risk for Maryland

Screenshot from the AquaCon website of the proposed facility in Federalsburg.

The small yet critically important Marshyhope Creek on Maryland’s Eastern Shore has been targeted for a massive facility that poses a serious threat to its water quality and its habitats. The state’s initial attempt to permit AquaCon’s massive Federalsburg facility is grossly deficient.

The start-up Norwegian company’s promises about sustainable indoor salmon farming and the economic benefits it would bring to Maryland have not panned out elsewhere in this industry.

Instead, the nascent indoor salmon farming industry has been plagued by mass die-offs of fish, lackluster consumer support, and in one case a catastrophic fire that destroyed an industrial salmon production facility in Demark.

Despite the industry’s problems, AquaCon is now proposing a 25-acre indoor salmon farm near Federalsburg, and a draft discharge permit for it has been issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment. As scientists and environmental advocates who have reviewed the proposed permit, we find it to be concerning and deficient. If AquaCon is allowed to operate under this permit, there are numerous risks to Eastern Shore ecosystems and the Chesapeake Bay.

Anyone concerned with this proposal should attend the in-person public hearing 5 to 8 p.m., Aug. 10 at Federalsburg Town Hall. MDE plans to accept written comments until close of business August 17.

AquaCon is proposing to produce about 35 million pounds of salmon per year at this facility in a series of tanks. Within these tanks, the water would be filtered and recycled to limit the wastewater that leaves the plant.

Yet AquaCon still proposes to dump 2.3 million gallons of wastewater into Marshyhope Creek each day. This amount of polluted water could overwhelm the narrow and mostly shallow tidal creek.

Federally and state designated as critical habitat, the Marshyhope is the smallest known river in the United States that’s home to the endangered Atlantic sturgeon. It’s also the only river in Maryland where the species is known to spawn. MDE has not addressed concerns expressed by Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources and scientists from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science about how the pollution and coldwater discharges from the industrial salmon farm would affect Atlantic sturgeon.

This project represents the first experiment of its kind where fecal wastes, well exceeding those of the entire human population of Caroline County, are self-contained under a single roof.

Neither AquaCon nor MDE has provided assurances that the proposed technology, which has only been tested in small production units, will work to filter the feces from millions of large salmon grown in tanks. Maryland’s Eastern Shore already faces a severe overabundance of animal processing wastes.

In the U.S., there's only one industrial salmon farm in operation that’s of a similar scale as what’s being proposed by AquaCon—a plant in Miami operated by Atlantic Sapphire. That plant, which first began producing salmon in 2020, suffered mass die-offs of salmon in 2020 and 2021 that killed more than 600,000 fish—equivalent to about 1,300 cattle being wasted. In September 2021, Atlantic Sapphire’s pilot plant in Demark, where it was testing technology to raise salmon indoors caught fire and destroyed the facility. The fire created a cloud of smoke that covered neighboring communities and caused a nearby waterway to turn red. Authorities warned citizens in the area not to enter the water due to excessive amounts of iron chloride spilling into the water next to the plant.

Despite these catastrophic events, MDE’s proposed permit does not address what AquaCon would be required to do in the event of loss of power, water supply interruptions, fish die-offs, debilitating storms, or devastating fire. Even if AquaCon were required to obtain a bond to cover operational failures, the environmental risks are too high to be mitigated by this kind of compensation.

The Marshyhope is already impaired by primary Bay pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus, yet MDE’s permit doesn’t detail how the plant could ensure it doesn’t exceed the limits the agency sets for these pollutants.

The permit doesn’t address how stormwater runoff would be treated from the plant, which would be one of the largest buildings in the state—about the size of six Super Walmarts. An inch of rainfall on this facility could produce up to 750,000 gallons of runoff, which would create flooding and pollution risks.

AquaCon is also proposing to withdraw 2.3 million gallons of water per day from underground aquifers, yet MDE has failed to address whether groundwater supplies and existing uses can accommodate this level of withdrawal, or could cause nearby land to sink, as has happened elsewhere.

What MDE did do is compare this new permit with one issued in Belfast, Maine for a different indoor salmon farm. However, the comparison is less than apt. In Maine, the facility would drain into Penobscot Bay, a much larger, deeper, and colder body of water, whereas the Marshyhope at the proposed discharge location is only about 100 feet wide and wadable at low tide. And while Maine did grant a discharge permit for the facility, the plant has not been built so there’s no way to tell if the permit is appropriate or being met.

The indoor-raised salmon industry has struggled with an off-taste due to high levels of the microbe geosmin being present in the salmon tanks. In Maryland, AquaCon is proposing to “purge” that geosmin from their fish straight into the Marshyhope. The effects of doing that to the fish already living in this sensitive waterway – from temperature and salinity imbalances, to chemical contamination, to excessive nutrient loads – are mostly unknown.

Taken together, the risks posed by this speculative business proposition are great. If Maryland is really interested in enabling farm raised salmon production on the Shore, state regulators need to do more to protect surrounding communities, guarantee pollution in local waterways won’t get worse, and find a site that doesn’t directly threaten the endangered Atlantic sturgeon.



Alan Girard, Eastern Shore Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Dr. Bradley Stevens, Professor Emeritus of Marine Science, University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Dr. David Secor, Professor, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory

Fred Pomeroy, President, Dorchester Citizens for Planned Growth

Jay Martin, President, Friends of the Nanticoke River

Dr. Judith Stribling, Faculty Emerita, Salisbury University

Madeleine Adams, President, Wicomico Environmental Trust

Matt Pluta, Director of Riverkeeper Programs, ShoreRivers

Nick Carter, Retired Fisheries Biologist, MD Department of Natural Resources

Restoration Projects Enhance Kent County Parks, Protect Area Waterways

A ShoreRivers restoration project at Galena Community Park will reduce stormwater runoff and beautify the park, while protecting Dyer Creek, one of the most impaired tributaries of the Sassafras River.

In fall 2022, ShoreRivers will lead restoration projects in two Kent County, MD public parks that will reduce sediments and nutrients that pollute the Sassafras River. These projects are supported by a $970,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Trust Fund specifically dedicated to Eastern Shore High Priority Areas.

The first will reduce nuisance flooding, runoff volume, and impervious surface at the Town of Galena Community Park. ShoreRivers will build five bioswales, or vegetated ditches, strategically located to capture and treat stormwater runoff. They will also install three native plant “islands” with shade trees in the park’s parking lot to further reduce runoff, and cool and beautify the entrance to the park. This project will reduce stormwater runoff from adjacent commercial and residential development before it flows into Dyer Creek, one of the most impaired tributaries of the Sassafras River.

ShoreRivers is partnering with Kent County to restore ecological and habitat function in Turner’s Creek Park on a headwaters tributary of Turners Creek. This project will restore a dynamic stream and wetland system with native vegetation and habitat.

 For the second project, ShoreRivers is partnering with Kent County to restore ecological and habitat function in Turner’s Creek Park of approximately 2,200 linear feet of forested perennial stream on a headwaters tributary of Turners Creek. The stream receives drainage from 139 acres of agricultural fields, and has deep, highly eroded slopes, incised channels, and a disconnected floodplain dominated by invasive species. When complete, this project will restore a dynamic stream and wetland system with native vegetation and habitat. Improvements in stormwater storage and increased opportunities for nutrient processing and reduction will create a more resilient landscape.

ShoreRivers is a leader in designing, funding, and managing major restoration projects like these. Since 2015, ShoreRivers has installed 231 projects on agricultural, public, and private properties in the mid to upper Eastern Shore, which prevent more than 144,000 pounds of nitrogen, 16,000 pounds of phosphorus, and 4,800 tons of sediments from polluting waterways each year.

These projects represent over $18.6 million in government and private funding invested in our communities for cleaner water. See photos and videos of other projects at shorerivers.org/restoration.

Toxic Algal Blooms Threaten Health of People & Pets ShoreRivers Provides Monitoring & Education

Harmful algal blooms can pose significant risk to pets, young children, and anyone coming in contact with the water.  

Every summer, news articles show up around the country about toxic blue-green algal blooms. When people and pets get sick or die from exposure to toxic blooms, it makes headlines. The Eastern Shore is no exception: in the summer of 2020, the Sassafras River experienced its largest, most toxic, and longest-lasting algal bloom on record, rendering much of the river un-swimmable for 12 weeks during the height of water recreation season. The toxin concentrations during this bloom were 300-500 times higher than the State’s threshold of risk and were responsible for the death of at least one dog and several cases of people getting sick.

In response, ShoreRivers, in partnership with local health agencies, has developed a program to proactively monitor algal blooms and alert the public of potential health concerns. Additionally, this summer, the Sassafras Riverkeeper will be hosting workshops with local veterinarians and pet owners to educate them on how to keep pets safe. A virtual workshop will be held on August 16 in the evening, with an in-person social event to follow later in August. Visit ShoreRivers.org/events for details, and follow the Sassafras Riverkeeper on social media for the latest updates. This work is supported by a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust.

The three main types of algae exposure are inhaling aerosolized particles in the air, skin contact from wading/swimming, or ingestion of water. The degree of severity varies, with inhalation usually being the least severe, and ingestion being the most severe, but this varies depending on an individual’s health and immune system. Pets are so sensitive to algae that it doesn't take much of any of these types of exposure to be serious.

“Harmful algal blooms are a serious threat to our ability to enjoy our rivers,” said Sassafras Riverkeeper Zack Kelleher. “ShoreRivers’ monitoring and outreach efforts around these blooms are so critical, especially as we see these blooms increase in frequency and intensity. As a pet owner myself,” he added, “I’m thrilled we’ve received funding to raise awareness about this issue and keep local community members and pets safer each summer.”

Algae occur naturally in waterways, but increased levels of nutrients from human activities and higher water temperatures caused by climate change cause algae to bloom more often and more frequently. Over the past few years, ShoreRivers’ data show higher concentrations of toxin-producing species like Microcystis and blooms that start earlier and last longer than previously observed.

These blooms are fueled by excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus running off into local rivers and streams. Agricultural and lawn fertilizers, leaking septic systems, non-native ornamental plantings, tree removal, and other human activity contribute to these increases in bloom frequency and toxicity. Exposure to these toxins can be fatal to pets within just 12 hours of exposure. Unfortunately, most pet owners and veterinarians don’t know the symptoms of algal poisoning.

The ShoreRivers Harmful Algal Bloom program will educate pet owners and veterinarians throughout the mid and upper Eastern Shore about the causes of blooms, the negative health impacts on pets and livestock, and actions people can take to reduce the excess nutrient loading and runoff that triggers major blooms. ShoreRivers will partner with local veterinarians to distribute essential information about the health risks and how to respond when a pet has potentially been exposed to algal toxins.

Local pet owners or interested community members wanting to learn more, please contact Sassafras Riverkeeper Zack Kelleher at zkelleher@shorerivers.org.

ShoreRivers is pleased to bring significant state and federal resources into the region to support integral work for healthy rivers on behalf of our communities. Follow the progress of these projects: @shorerivers on Facebook; @shoreriversorg on Instagram; or subscribe to the monthly e-newsletter.

Miles-Wye Riverkeeper Announces Operation Build-a-Reef: Eastern Bay

ShoreRivers announces an effort to plant 30 million oysters in Eastern Bay with the support of Oyster Recovery Partnership and their planting vessel, the Robert Lee.

ShoreRivers, Oyster Recovery Partnership, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have set an ambitious goal to plant 100 million juvenile oysters in Eastern Bay by the end of 2023. DNR has committed to fund the initial planting of 70 million oysters and ShoreRivers has raised the stakes—and the impact—by committing to plant an additional 30 million oysters.

Please CLICK HERE to learn more about Operation Build-a-Reef: Eastern Bay and donate to the effort.  

The waterways of Eastern Bay, including the Miles and Wye Rivers, suffer from excess nitrogen and sediment pollution. Increasing oyster populations will not only result in cleaner water, it will also increase crucial habitat. “There used to be enough oysters in the Chesapeake Bay to filter the entire volume of water in just one week. We are grateful for partners like ShoreRivers because together we can work hard to restore oysters and their critical ecosystem functions so that the Bay may again thrive," explains Ward Slacum, Executive Director of Oyster Recovery Partnership. By providing hiding places for small fish and juvenile blue crabs, as well as a stable foundation to help protect shorelines, planting 100 million new oysters will have a major impact on the health of Eastern Bay.

 Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) is the nonprofit expert in Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration, planting more than 9 billion oysters on 3,000 acres of reef since their founding in 1994. ORP will be providing the oyster spat and conducting all plantings in Eastern Bay for Operation Build-a-Reef. The first reef chosen for restoration is located off Tilghman Point, Claiborne, and the first planting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 12. A subsequent planting will be held the week of July 25 and more plantings will be held throughout the summer. Community members are invited to watch the plantings by boat.

 Operation Build-a-Reef: Eastern Bay is a community stewardship restoration project, where donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations support direct oyster restoration work. ORP leads the conservation of the native oyster in the Chesapeake Bay and beyond through oyster restoration, shell recycling, and sustainable fishery practices. Find out how at oysterrecovery.org. DNR leads Maryland in securing a sustainable future for our environment, society, and economy by preserving, protecting, restoring, and enhancing the state’s natural resources.

ShoreRivers Volunteers Plant River-Friendly Marina

ShoreRivers staff and interns (left to right) Kyle McKim, Maegan White, Darran White Tilghman, and Lexi Norman.

ShoreRivers’ office at the Chestertown Marina Cerino Center is now a beautiful and purposeful demonstration of river-friendly plantings. If you look closely, you can see that the native shrubs and perennials—with their showy yellow, orange, and purple flowers—are removing pollution from stormwater before it flows to the Chester River. All of the gutter downspouts have been rerouted into a large pipe that runs under the deck and empties into a rock-lined retention basin in front of the building. There, water can slowly filter into the surrounding plantings, leaving the soil and nutrients in place.

“Instead of rain rushing across the turf grass and the impervious parking lot, picking up pollution and carrying that load straight into the Chester, we capture that rainwater and let the plants work their magic. In addition to absorbing runoff, native plants also provide critical habitat benefits and food sources that non-native landscaping cannot,” says ShoreRivers Sassafras Riverkeeper Zack Kelleher, who helped with the design and plant species selection.

Volunteers of all ages help to plant a river-friendly landscape at ShoreRivers’ office at the Chestertown Marina Cerino Center

Click here to learn more about how you can make positive change in your own backyard (or front yard, workplace, church, or school) with advice and incentives from ShoreRivers’ River-Friendly Yards program.

This innovative project was made possible by a grant from the Robert F. Schumann Foundation and the design team at South Fork Studio Landscape Architecture. Essential support and expertise were provided by Wye Gardens, Anthony’s Flowers and Landscaping, Owen Excavation, and Edge Roofing. ShoreRivers volunteers put all 320 plants in the ground at a First Friday “Dig and Drinks” event in June.

“What I love most about this project is that you immediately see the benefits to the whole ecosystem,” says ShoreRivers Director of Community Engagement Darran White Tilghman. “Our workplace is now alive with birdsong and buzzing with pollinators. It also transforms the space for humans. Whether you arrive at our town marina by boat, car, or on foot, you’ll feel welcomed into the beauty of this little landscape.”

Solstice Celebration Highlights Environmental Education

More than 300 people celebrated the Summer Solstice and donated generously to support ShoreRivers’ environmental education program led by Director of Education Suzanne Sullivan (center).

ShoreRivers received an overwhelmingly positive response from the community to the return of its Solstice Celebration under the tent on the banks of the Chester River this year. More than 300 environmental stewards gathered in support of ShoreRivers, with a specific and urgent emphasis on environmental education. Raising nearly $140,000 for science-based advocacy, restoration, and education programming, the Solstice Celebration capped a week of expeditions and experiences that reinforced the nonprofit’s mission toward environmental action.

Executive Director Isabel Hardesty called the event “a spectacular evening. It’s always uplifting to see our supporters in person and remind each other why this work is so important—our stories are all different, but the core is the same. Special thanks must be given to the Solstice Celebration Committee, numerous expedition leaders and hosts, generous auction item donors, and more than 70 sponsors. The generosity of this community continues to surprise me in the best way.” Of the total raised, $33,000 was earmarked for environmental education.

ShoreRivers’ education team delivers hands-on environmental education programming to thousands of third and ninth graders in three Eastern Shore counties as well as multiple teacher professional development trainings across the mid-Atlantic region. Funds raised during the reverse auction will support the Upper Shore Youth Environmental Action Summit as well as new, paid high school internships.

Pictured are student participants at the 2022 Upper Shore Youth Environmental Action Summit. Funds raised during the Solstice Celebration reverse auction will support next year’s summit, as well as paid high school internships.

“Our young people care deeply about their communities and the environment. They have vision for change and many are already taking action. The Summit has evolved to elevate youth voices and help them activate change in their communities by providing professional experiences and career training,” explains ShoreRivers Director of Education Suzanne Sullivan. The education programs offered by ShoreRivers integrate all pillars of the organization’s mission—science, advocacy, and restoration—into dynamic and effective student experiences.

For donors who wish to contribute to these environmental education initiatives, ShoreRivers has Community Investment Tax Credits available. Any donation of $500 or more from individuals or businesses who file taxes in Maryland are eligible for a tax credit equal to 50% of their gift. Contact Rebekah Hock with any questions at rhock@shorerivers.org or visit shorerivers.org/donate to make your gift today.  

ShoreRivers Provides Critical Services for Water Recreation

Choptank Riverkeeper Matt Pluta holds water quality samples. This summer, ShoreRivers and a team of volunteer “SwimTesters” will monitor bacteria levels at sites around the region, providing a critical public health service for communities and identifying pollution hotspots for future restoration efforts.

Every summer, ShoreRivers deploys a team of citizen scientists to monitor bacteria levels at popular swimming and boating sites to provide important human health risk information to the public. View the results every Friday from Memorial Day to Labor Day at theswimguide.org and get updates during swim season by following #SwimmableShoreRivers or your local Riverkeeper’s page on social media.

The results from the 2021 SwimTester season show that bacteria levels vary based on location, land use, and weather; making systematic, scientific analysis of local water quality vital. Major rain events are almost always connected to spikes in bacteria levels, and outgoing tides have a higher probability of carrying bacteria pollution. In fact, our testing shows that almost 50% of the samples that failed in 2021 occurred after a major rain event on an outgoing tide. Meaning, a swimming spot is more likely to contain bacteria levels over the EPA’s threshold for safe swimming on an outgoing tide after a rain event—important information to know!

This public service provided by ShoreRivers truly is a community effort: this summer, 54 SwimTesters will monitor 40 sites on the Choptank, Miles, Wye, Chester, and Sassafras Rivers, Eastern Bay, and the Bayside Creeks. Generous site sponsors—including towns, marinas, homeowner’s associations, and familie—help cover the sampling costs of $640 per site for one season. The Cornell Douglas Foundation provided funding to purchase state-of-the-art bacteria processing equipment and is supporting ShoreRivers’ efforts to reach more diverse communities, including translating bacteria information into Spanish. Thank you to everyone who is a part of this important effort!

Volunteer SwimTesters collect water samples weekly, which are then processed according to standard scientific protocols in ShoreRivers in-house labs. The program follows EPA’s standard protocols for collecting and analyzing samples and uses a pass/fail system to determine if bacteria levels are safe or unsafe for swimming.

Multiple years of consistent bacteria monitoring have highlighted those sites that frequently show elevated levels of bacteria, potentially indicating a chronic source of bacteria pollution. Potential chronic sources of bacteria include failing septic systems, overflows or leaks from wastewater treatment plants, waste from animal farms, or manure fertilizer. Acute sources of bacteria pollution include overflows from wastewater treatment plants and pet or wild animal waste.

Additionally, the 2022 Pumpout Boat season on the Miles and Wye Rivers begins on Memorial Day weekend. The ShoreRivers Pumpout Boat is a FREE SERVICE offered on the Miles and Wye Rivers operating from May to mid-October. With your help, this boat will help prevent more than 20,000 gallons of concentrated marine waste from entering our waters annually. To schedule a pump-out, contact Captain Jim Freeman at 410-829-4352, on VHF Channel 9, email POBCaptJim@gmail.com, or visit ShoreRivers.org/programs/pumpout-boat.

Join Us for the Summer Solstice Celebration!

ShoreRivers staff members help run the rousing Solstice Celebration Live Auction. Pictured (left to right) are Director of Development Rebekah Hock, Executive Director Isabel Hardesty, Ag & Outreach Coordinator Laura Wood, and Director of Agriculture & Restoration Tim Rosen

Last year, in the midst of the pandemic, ShoreRivers pivoted its annual Summer Solstice Celebration to instead feature small-group outdoor expeditions led by experts presenting particular aspects of our local ecosystem. Back by popular demand, ShoreRivers will again host a slate of exciting and experiential outings, as well as the beloved big-tent party on the banks of the Chester River! Register online now for your choice of a dozen expeditions and to get your tickets for the Solstice Celebration. Expeditions will be held throughout the region from June 14-24 and the Celebration will be held at the Washington College boathouse on June 25.

ShoreRivers Executive Director Isabel Hardesty puts the event in context: “For many, the solstice indicates the official start to summer and warmer months when so many people flock to the river. By connecting with partners—regional experts in their fields, local celebrities, and entrepreneurs—we are able to provide uniquely memorable experiences that illustrate the need for healthy, accessible waterways. And it’s especially meaningful that we can celebrate the river together this year!”

Expedition offerings include a full moon paddle out of San Domingo Creek with Riverkeeper Matt Pluta, an evening tour and navigation lesson on board the River Packet with Bob Ingersoll, and a fabulous afternoon and evening of cycling followed by a wine tasting and rustic dinner in the barn at Crow Vineyard. Find details about these and more online.

The week will culminate in a grand celebration on Saturday, June 25, at Washington College’s Hodson Boathouse in Chestertown. Each $100 ticket includes: open bar with beer, wine, and a signature cocktail; hors d’oeuvres and a full buffet dinner; live music; and a beautiful setting along the Chester River. The celebration begins at 6:00 pm and continues through dusk with a rousing live auction where guests will bid on exceptional artwork, enticing destinations, and even a sail with Gary Jobson, America’s pre-eminent Ambassador for Sailing and Ted Turner’s tactician aboard the winning America’s Cup yacht Courageous.

All funds raised during this event will go directly to support ShoreRivers’ work for clean rivers.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Help ShoreRivers achieve their clean water goals by becoming a sponsor for the Solstice Celebration, and joining a cadre of committed environmental stewards.

For tickets and more information, visit the events webpage or contact Freya Farley at 443.385.0511 ext 210 or ffarley@shorerivers.org.

Ending Public Access at Gibson’s Grant Sets Dangerous Precedent

On April 26, 2022, the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners voted to terminate the public easement to a pier at Gibson’s Grant on Kent Island, ending public water access at the pier. Closing public access is not in the best interest of our county’s residents, and it will set a dangerous precedent for future development projects if contingencies, like this public access point, can be reversed.

It is common practice in planning and zoning departments to require proposed developments to set aside land for public parks or conservation easements. This helps create a balance of private and public property, of developed lands and natural spaces—ensuring that people from all socioeconomic backgrounds have access to our shared natural resources. The public pier at Gibson’s Grant was a contingency for the approval of the development and as such should have remained intact. Access to our waterways should not be restricted to waterfront homeowners. There needs to be adequate access for all communities to reach our rivers.

The request to terminate came from the Gibson’s Grant Homeowners Association (HOA), closing off fishing access to the many community members who used the pier, primarily for sustenance fishing. The feedback I have heard is that the HOA members were unhappy with the increased number of visitors to the pier. Sparked by the pandemic, statewide park visitation jumped by tens of thousands in 2020 and 2021 compared to 2019, and these numbers remain high. People are using our natural resources more, and this is a good thing: visiting parks and waterways fuels a love of our environment and inspires stewardship.

We should be celebrating this increase in enjoyment of our outdoor spaces, not reducing the public’s access. ShoreRivers opposes the recent termination of the public access easement at Gibson’s Grant, and would like to know specifically how the Commissioners plan to address the community’s need for increased public access in the future.

The Gibson’s Grant termination request first appeared on the Commissioners’ agenda as “new business” for the April 26 meeting. On the night of the meeting, there was no presentation or appeal made by the HOA, nor were there any questions or debate from the Commissioners before they voted to terminate the easement. At the last moment, the agenda item was moved from its advertised 6:15 PM time slot to the very beginning of the meeting. It seems clear that the decision to approve this petition happened behind closed doors well before the public Commissioners’ meeting.  In 2020, a similar petition was submitted by the HOA and was denied by the Planning Commission, so why now did the Commissioners vote to end public access unanimously and without deliberation?

Public access to Queen Anne’s County’s natural resources, including its waterways, is intrinsic to promoting commerce, tourism, and quality of life for every resident. Access also fosters a deeper respect for natural resources that lie at the heart of the Queen Anne’s Community Vision of “being a great place to live.” During the public comment phases of the recent Comprehensive Plan revision, a 2-year process spearheaded by the consulting firm Wallace Montgomery, it became clear that public access and land preservation for recreational opportunities are the overwhelming priority for County residents. 75.9% of community participants ranked the natural environment and open space preservation as priority considerations related to future development (2022 Comp Plan draft. Environmental Resources, Figure 5.3, PlanQAC2021).

We implore the Commissioners of Queen Anne’s County to work for a county vision in which development does not impair the quality of life enjoyed by all, and sets the example for a community that protects the expectations and opportunities of all of its members. Public access to nature brings invaluable rewards to human health and community life. If access also brings challenges, we can and must address those challenges, not restrict the right to that access.

Click here to find out more about our work on public access and public health information on our rivers.

Annie Richards
Chester Riverkeeper

ShoreRivers@Troika Gallery—A Collaborative Show Celebrating Eastern Shore Waterways

“Shore Clouds” by Kirk McBride

Troika Gallery is proud to announce the opening of a collaborative show, ShoreRivers@Troika Gallery on Earth Day, April 22, 2022. The new exhibit features select Troika artists depicting the waterways of the Eastern Shore, with a portion of sales (through May 31) supporting the clean water advocacy, restoration, and education work of ShoreRivers.

“Blue Heron” by Tanya Carmody

“Having never joined forces with a nonprofit of this caliber,” said Troika Gallery owner, Laura Era, “Troika hopes that this symbiotic relationship will prove beneficial for both of us. We are expecting an enthusiastic turnout to support this worthy cause. We all love the beautiful Eastern Shore and want to keep its waters clean as we work, travel, play, and—even, as artists—are inspired to paint it.”

“Back of the Boatyard” by Lynne Lockhart

“We know that so often art can inspire action,” said ShoreRivers Director of Development Rebekah Hock. “For this reason, ShoreRivers is so pleased to partner with Troika Gallery on this special exhibit of works that evoke the distinctive character of our precious watersheds. We hope the exhibition will serve as an important reminder that our waterways are beautiful, but also vulnerable and worthy of a commitment to their conservation.”

“Sound Getaway” by Sara Jane Doberstein

An opening reception, including Q & A with ShoreRivers staff, will take place from
5-7 pm. Choptank Riverkeeper Matt Pluta will speak about the risks to water quality in the area and the many ways each of us can play a part in ensuring healthy, fishable, swimmable waterways. Light refreshments will be served.

Presenting “The Finest of Fine Art” in historic downtown Easton since 1997, Troika Gallery is the longest-operating gallery on the Eastern Shore. Whether an art collector, art lover, or art browser, Troika Gallery has the friendly ambiance that has cultivated loyal followers. Professional artist and owner Laura Era and Gallery Manager Peg Fitzgerald welcome your visit to browse the collections.

Troika Gallery located at 9 South Harrison Street, is open Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11 am until 6 pm, and Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday by appointment. For more information about Troika Gallery, call 410.770.9190 or visit troikagallery.com. Learn more about ShoreRivers at shorerivers.org.

CLICK HERE to view an interview by Talbot Spy with ShoreRivers Director of Development Rebakah Hock and Troika Gallery owner Laura Era.

ShoreRivers Hosts Social & Environmental Justice Community Convening

The first Social and Environmental Justice cohort, pictured (left to right) are Jenny Houghton, Adkins Arboretum; Ingrid Diaz Lopez, Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center; Suzette Turner, GLOW; Leslie Adelman, Adkins Arboretum; Betty Jarman, Men for Change; Loge Knight, His Hope Ministries; Deborah Short & Tyesha Greene, BAAM; Darran White Tilghman, ShoreRivers/co-facilitator; Stanford Ricks, Men for Change; Desiree Jefferson, His Hope Ministries; Larisa Prezioso, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy; Isabel Hardesty, ShoreRivers Executive Director; Darius Johnson, ACE Mentor Program; Ty Bolden & Jasmine Robinson, Minary's Dream Alliance; Doncella Wilson, event facilitator and co-founder of Minary's Dream Alliance. Not pictured but in attendance: Mairin Corasaniti & Amy Narimatsu, ShoreRivers; David Ricks, Sr., Men for Change; and Joanna Ogburn, Envision the Choptank.

ShoreRivers recently hosted its first Social and Environmental Justice Community Convening, bringing together a variety of organizations working on issues including environmental health, youth development, immigration, and justice. In a day filled with music, food, and good conversation, 11 organizations learned about one another, identified shared values, and brainstormed ways to collaborate to build the future Eastern Shore we want to live in together. Relationships built at this Convening will help ShoreRivers better understand community needs, activate River-Friendly Yards native planting projects, and collaborate on grant proposals to bring more resources to achieve our shared goals of healthy communities and waterways.

This interactive event was facilitated by Doncella Wilson, licensed social worker and co-founder of Minary's Dream Alliance, a visionary nonprofit for youth and families. Representatives attended from Adkins Arboretum, Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, Building African American Minds (BAAM), Men for Change, His Hope Ministries, ShoreRivers, Girls Learning Our Worth (GLOW), Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, Envision the Choptank, Minary’s Dream Alliance, and Architects, Engineers, and Construction (ACE) Mentor Program. With deep experience in trauma-informed care, Wilson led the group as they explored the connection between social and environmental justice and shared their stories, values, vision, and needs.

The event was made possible by a grant from The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment.

ShoreRivers believes that diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in our staff, board, supporters, and programs are critical to achieving our mission of clean water. We believe that access to waterways fuels environmental stewardship; inclusion of diverse communities is essential to long term success; and diverse representation in our membership, staff, and board makes us stronger.

ShoreRivers Recaps Zombies, Chemicals & Climate Wins This Session

The Valley Proteins rendering facility in Linkwood, MD discharges into the Transquaking River and operates in significant noncompliance on a “zombie” discharge permit. The passage of HB649 will require MDE to hold them accountable.   

The 2022 Maryland Legislative Session, which adjourned on April 11, was a huge success for cleaner water and healthier rivers. In collaboration with the broader environmental community, ShoreRivers weighed in on over 30 bills. In particular, the bill on “zombie” discharge permits (HB649) will result in significant changes to the way the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) monitors facilities for their discharge into waterways. The passing of this legislation came after a multiyear effort by ShoreRivers’ Riverkeepers and a broader coalition of environmental organizations advocating that MDE end the practice of administratively continuing expired discharge permits.

The bill comes on the heels of the discovery of significant, ongoing pollution violations by the Valley Proteins rendering facility in Linkwood, Maryland. ShoreRivers provided the aerial images that spurred MDE into action.

"For years we've been dealing with significant pollution from the oldest ‘zombie’ permit in the state—Valley Proteins—which has also been in significant violation of a discharge permit that expired over 15 years ago. The state's lack of oversight and control of the situation represents a regulatory failure," said ShoreRivers Director of Riverkeeper Programs Matt Pluta. “This could have been prevented if MDE were operating with the resources and framework now required through this legislation.”

There are currently 30 facilities on the Eastern Shore operating on “zombie” permits, which means they are using outdated technology and potentially polluting our waterways. This new law will result in required monthly randomized inspections for facilities in significant noncompliance with their water quality permits and bring facilities failing to report required pollution monitoring data into compliance. Additionally, the bill requires MDE to significantly increase staffing in order to address the backlog of administratively continued discharge permits by 2026. The bill passed with bipartisan support; Senator Paul Pinsky and Delegate Sara Love were the lead sponsors.

“The legislative and political strategy led by partners at ShoreRivers, Chesapeake Legal Alliance, Waterkeepers Chesapeake, and Chesapeake Bay Foundation helped pass HB649 at a monumental time as the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act this year,” says Pluta. “The discharge permits addressed in this bill are governed under the Act’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System program, which is one of our strongest tools for controlling pollution from facilities discharging to local waterways.”

“Our work during session gives us the ability to create system-wide and meaningful change to better protect our local rivers against major issues that impact water quality. Despite another challenging session due to COVID, the environmental community has some real wins to celebrate this year,” says ShoreRivers Milesl-Wye Riverkeeper Elle Bassett.

ShoreRivers participates in a state-wide coalition of environmental organizations advocating at the General Assembly, called the Citizens Campaign for the Environment. This year, the group prioritized three bills: the elimination of PFAS chemicals, a package of climate bills, and passing the Environmental Human Rights Amendment.

PFAS Chemicals: The group successfully passed a bill to restrict the use of PFAS—chemicals emerging as a health issue in drinking water—in fire-fighting foams, rugs and carpets, and some food packaging through the George “Walter” Taylor Act. Reducing the use of PFAS chemicals in Maryland will prevent further contamination of all of our water sources.

Climate Package: There was a significant emphasis on climate during this year’s legislative session, and the Senate’s Climate Solutions Now bill was passed with amendments. This progress supports Maryland’s efforts to be a climate leader and mitigate the impacts of climate change that we’re already seeing, especially in coastal communities on the Eastern Shore.

Maryland Environmental Human Rights Amendment: This bill, which would have created an enforceable right to a healthful environment did not successfully cross over during this session despite a strong showing of grassroots support.

CLICK HERE for more information about ShoreRivers’ advocacy work.

CBT Grants Awarded for Wetland Restoration Projects & Streams Assessment

Wetland-floodplain restoration concept

This spring, ShoreRivers will be designing wetland restoration projects located on three different farms in the Chester River watershed, and will assess stream restoration opportunities throughout its region on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. This work is made possible through four grants from Chesapeake Bay Trust totaling more than $321,000, and will result in significant reductions of nutrient and sediment pollution to our waterways.

ShoreRivers has prioritized three farms—one each on the lower, middle, and upper Chester River—on which to design headwater wetland and floodplain restoration projects. These projects will employ a “treatment train” method to maximize nutrient and sediment removal as well as habitat uplift. The approach on each farm will target the interface between the agricultural production area and the “natural areas” downstream through use of existing swale areas, grassed waterways, ditches, and marginal crop ground. Restored areas will 1) slow water in storm events that cause downstream degradation of critical stream and wetland habitat, 2) treat runoff and captured groundwater through innovative and highly efficient treatment practices, and 3) restore downstream habitat to maximize the ecological uplift and function of natural areas.

In related work, ShoreRivers will be assessing and prioritizing stream restoration opportunities throughout its region. Streams and ditches adjacent to, in, or near agricultural activities are increasingly at risk for sediment erosion and nutrient delivery as storm events intensify in response to climate change. Degraded streams can receive large volumes of water in a short period of time, contributing to erosion and destabilization of the stream banks and delivering agriculturally-sourced nutrients to downstream estuarine rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

ShoreRivers is pleased to bring significant state and federal resources into the region to support integral work for healthy rivers on behalf of our communities. Follow the progress of these projects @shorerivers on Facebook; @shoreriversorg on Instagram; or subscribe to the monthly e-newsletter at shorerivers.org/subscribe.

ShoreRivers Supports Bill to End "Zombie" Permits & Hold Polluters Accountable

Pictured is the Valley Proteins rendering facility in Linkwood, MD. The facility’s permit expired in 2006, and has been administratively continued since then, allowing them to retain the same permit terms for more than two decades.

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has been in the spotlight for many reasons during this legislative session, including chronic understaffing and lack of enforcement. In January, the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs committee invited Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles to provide an overview of the Department’s shortcomings and plans to improve staffing and enforcement. This briefing emphasized the need across many divisions at MDE for an increase in qualified staff to inspect facilities and conduct permit renewal processes.

Accountability and enforcement are keystone issues for ShoreRivers, and one component that we’ve focused on for the past few years is administratively continued permits, commonly known as zombie permits. When a wastewater discharge permit has expired, as long as a permittee has submitted their application to renew, MDE will extend the permit so the facility can operate on their existing terms indefinitely until the permit is actually reviewed. Currently, there are about 30 facilities on the Eastern Shore operating on zombie permits, carrying over outdated permit limits and in some cases allowing continued operation without the best available technologies in place.

Discharge permits are issued for five-year terms, but in some cases these permits are in place for decades because MDE cannot keep up with the volume of permit renewals. This becomes particularly problematic when facilities violate their permit terms for effluent limitations or reporting requirements – they’re not only operating on an outdated permit, they are also in significant noncompliance with said permit. The prime example for this on the Eastern Shore is the Valley Proteins rendering facility in Linkwood, MD. The facility’s permit expired in 2006, and has been administratively continued since then, allowing them to retain the same permit terms since 2001, or more than two decades. Extensive violations have been identified at the rendering facility, and MDE only addressed these violations because of evidence provided by ShoreRivers in December of last year.

“A facility operating in significant noncompliance of a zombie permit is the ultimate one-two punch to water quality and the entire permitting system designed to protect it. The sheer number of zombie permits and facilities operating in significant non-compliance around the state is evidence that MDE has failed to do its job and uphold its obligations under the Clean Water Act,” said ShoreRivers Director of Riverkeeper Programs Matt Pluta.

Not only do zombie permits in significant noncompliance result in degraded rather than improved water quality, as we’re seeing in the Transquaking River into which Valley Proteins discharges, but administratively extending these permits for many years deprives the public of the opportunity to comment. Public comment is part of the permit renewal process and is a foundational aspect of the Clean Water Act. Since these permits are not being updated in a timely manner, residents in the watershed where these zombie permits exist do not have an opportunity to publicly voice their concerns.

Legislation has been introduced this session to address staffing at MDE, the backlog of zombie permits, and facilities in significant noncompliance with their discharge permits. Specifically, the bill will require the agency to request sufficient positions to carry out their responsibilities and to fully address the backlog of zombie permits by 2026. Additionally, monthly inspections will be required for any facility in significant noncompliance with their permit. There are over 100 operations on the Eastern Shore in significant noncompliance, leaving our waterways vulnerable to excess pollution.

The bill (SB492/HB649) went before both the assigned House and Senate committees in late February, with robust support from clean water advocates across the state. Pluta testified in support of the bill during the Senate hearing alongside fellow Waterkeepers. “This legislation will bring MDE back up to the standard we expect and deserve in order to protect water quality and the communities that depend on it.”

To learn more about ShoreRivers’ work on enforcement and zombie permits, please contact Director of Riverkeeper Programs and Choptank Riverkeeper Matt Pluta at mpluta@shorerivers.org. To write to your state legislator in support, please visit shorerivers.org/advocacy.

ShoreRivers Concludes First-Ever Watershed Assessment of Bayside Creeks, Kent County

ShoreRivers recently completed a yearlong assessment of the Bayside Creeks watershed, comprising Still Pond, Churn, Worton, and Fairlee Creeks in western Kent County. This was the first time a comprehensive assessment has been conducted for these four waterways, culminating in the Bayside Creeks Watershed Assessment and Action Plan.

The goals of the assessment were twofold: identify sources and quantities of nutrients and sediment loads impacting these creeks and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay; and create a management plan with a prioritized list of actions that ShoreRivers, Kent County, and other watershed partners can use as a blueprint to help reduce inputs and improve water quality. The resulting management plan includes an assessment of existing water quality data, point source discharge permit analysis, a targeted load reduction strategy, a cost-benefit analysis of potential retrofits used to prioritize projects, several concept designs for high priority projects, a list of possible funding sources, an implementation timeline, and a geographic information system (GIS) analysis of land use, site conditions, and restoration opportunities.

“The results of this assessment provide a thorough analysis of current conditions on these four creeks and will help guide our communication and restoration priorities for years to come,” said Sassafras Riverkeeper Zack Kelleher. “These waterways and communities haven’t had a seat at the table until recently, and now we have a comprehensive plan to move forward with engaging these communities and restoring these waterways.”

The Bayside Creeks watershed is roughly 37,803 acres and falls between the Sassafras River and Chester River watersheds. It has previously been left out of many restoration efforts and water quality monitoring because it was not represented by a watershed organization. ShoreRivers incorporated the Bayside Creeks region into its territory in 2019, and has been working to increase restoration, education, and water quality monitoring efforts in these four creeks since then. This specific watershed-based plan is vital for these creeks due to their historic underrepresentation in water quality improvement efforts and to establish a baseline for future restoration and outreach work.

The Bayside Creeks watershed land use is similar to the nearby Sassafras and Chester watersheds—approximately 56% agriculture, 28% forest, 7% developed, and 9% wetlands. These creeks suffer from the same problems that affect the Sassafras, Chester, and most Eastern Shore waterways, including high phosphorus loading, wetland loss, erosion, and algal blooms.

However, the Bayside Creeks provide a stark contrast to many agriculturally-dominated watersheds. Conservation best management practices have been implemented at a scale that is not often seen, addressing nutrient and sediment loading both at the source and through transport. Grassed waterways are the norm rather than the exception and most stream segments are well buffered with mature forest or grasses. Farm ponds and wetlands are numerous and, in most instances, work in tandem with grassed waterways to provide a "treatment train" to slow down erosion, provide storage for stormwater, and treat nutrients. Analysis was completed using water quality data, GIS analysis, and ground-truthing with site visits.

ShoreRivers has developed concept plans for the restoration of three specific streams. The organization is actively pursuing funding to design and implement these plans in the next couple of years. CLICK HERE to view concept designs (page takes some time to load).

“I’m looking forward to working with landowners and neighborhood groups to bring more resources to the Bayside Creeks watershed and increase stakeholder engagement in our restoration efforts for these creeks,” said Kelleher.

Thanks to the Chesapeake Bay Trust Watershed Assistance Grant Program, which provided $49,903 to conduct this assessment. ShoreRivers is pleased to bring significant state and federal resources into the region to support integral work for healthy rivers on behalf of our communities. Follow the progress of these projects at @shorerivers on Facebook; @shoreriversorg on Instagram; or by subscribing to monthly e-newsletters.

CLICK HERE to view the full Bayside Creeks Watershed Assessment and Action Plan.

For more information on the assessment and management plan, contact Sassafras Riverkeeper Zack Kelleher at zkelleher@shorerivers.org.

ShoreRivers Shares 2022 Legislative Priorities

ShoreRivers’ Director of Riverkeeper Programs Matt Pluta speaking at a past environmental legislative summit in Annapolis.

Now that the Maryland General Assembly has reconvened for the 444th Legislative Session, ShoreRivers’ advocacy efforts are in full swing. Our advocacy work is fundamental to creating system-wide change to protect our rivers against the major issues that impact local water quality.

ShoreRivers, in partnership with the broader environmental community, will prioritize three bills this session: 1) a comprehensive climate package that will improve Maryland’s resilience and adaptation to climate change; 2) the PFAS Protection Act to protect Maryland residents from harmful chemicals in our waters; and 3) the Maryland Environmental Human Rights Amendment, which will provide another mechanism for environmental protections under the state’s constitution.

As we face greater challenges on the Eastern Shore resulting from climate change, we must accelerate the implementation of climate-resilient nutrient reduction practices by increasing funding and technical support for our state and local agencies. ShoreRivers will advocate for much of the federal funding allocated to the Chesapeake Bay Program in the recent infrastructure package to go toward implementation of conservation practices, particularly on agricultural lands throughout our watersheds.

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) must dedicate adequate personnel and resources in order to issue protective permits and take adequate enforcement action against pollution. As is laid out in a key piece of legislation we are supporting this session, MDE needs to conduct monthly inspections of facilities with administratively continued permits as well as facilities in significant noncompliance with their permits, and enforce meaningful penalties that disincentivize violating water pollution controls. This bill aims to fully address the backlog of administratively continued discharge permits (often referred to as “zombie” permits) over the next three years. Since the state has invested funds in upgrading the technology at many of these permitted facilities to reduce pollution loads, we should invest in our state agencies to ensure that terms of the permits are being met and that the technology is functioning as intended so we can meet our 2025 pollution reduction goals established by the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL).

Just as we implement restoration projects throughout our communities, engage volunteers in tree plantings and oyster growing, and reach thousands of students each year through our environmental education programs in local schools, our advocacy at the local, state, and federal level ensures that all of those endeavors can continue in order to achieve our water quality goals. Our laws and regulations should protect and support these local investments, and we look forward to a productive legislative session with members of the General Assembly and our fellow environmental advocates.

If you are interested in getting involved and learning more about these priority bills, tune in for the Maryland Environmental Legislative Summit on Tuesday, January 25 at 6 PM. Learn more and register here: https://bit.ly/3GpzwkI.

ShoreRivers Calls for Increased Monitoring & Enforcement for Valley Proteins Discharge Permit

An aerial view of the Valley Proteins facility in July 2021.

Nearly 80 people attended the state hearing on the renewal of Valley Proteins’ wastewater discharge permit on Tuesday, November 16, at the Linkwood Volunteer Fire Station. Just under 40 community members, including Choptank Riverkeeper Matt Pluta and ShoreRivers’ Director of Education Suzanne Sullivan, spoke out against the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) proposal to allow Valley Proteins to expand their wastewater operation to nearly four times their current discharge volume.

 The agency recently issued a tentative determination for renewal of Valley Proteins’ discharge permit that expired in 2006, which ShoreRivers believes is overdue for an upgrade. After reviewing MDE’s draft permit, ShoreRivers has identified opportunities for improvement. First, the permit should require independent, third-party monitoring of all discharge limits to ensure credible reporting. Second, Valley Proteins must come into compliance with their current discharge limits before they are allowed to expand their discharge volume. And finally, when the plant violates their permit in the future, MDE must issue fines and enforce water pollution control laws—actions the agency has not taken against previous violations.

 “Valley Proteins has been operating on a permit with outdated pollution limits while also using outdated and failing wastewater treatment technology,” said Pluta. “Worse yet, Valley Proteins has been in significant violation of those outdated permit limits, even after having ample time to upgrade and comply to the law. These egregious actions by a private, for-profit entity are polluting our river—a public resource. The company has been getting away with this for years; it’s time to put a stop to it.”

 Valley Proteins applied in 2014 to MDE to increase their daily wastewater discharge limit nearly fourfold, from an average of from 150,000 gallons per day to 575,000 gallons per day. That request was drafted three times between 2014 and 2020, but repeatedly withdrawn up until this point. “Valley Proteins isn’t able to comply with the 15-year old permit limits for 150,000 gallons per day, which does not provide any confidence that they will meet their limits at treating an even greater volume of wastewater,” said Pluta. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) database indicates the facility has had 43 exceedances of their effluent limits since January 2018.

 At MDE’s hearing for the discharge permit on November 16, dozens of community members spoke about the foul odors emanating from Valley Proteins, which are so strong they affect residents’ daily lives. “The smell in East New Market from the Valley Proteins plant is so bad that I can’t go outside fishing or canoeing on my property on certain days,” said Suzanne Sullivan, a resident of Dorchester County and ShoreRivers’ Director of Education. Another resident said there are several days in the summer months when he can’t sleep with the windows open because the smell is so bad. Others spoke of their pets and family members not going outside because of the odors. “I’ve been complaining to MDE for three years about the odor from Valley Proteins, and now sometimes they hang up on me when I call or they don’t answer,” said Franco Primavesi, a resident within two and half miles of Valley Proteins’ facility.

 Community members have until December 15 to submit comments to MDE on the tentative determination for this wastewater discharge permit. If you are impacted by Valley Proteins’ air emissions or water pollution, concerned about expanding their production capacity, or troubled by MDE’s lack of enforcement and accountability on this matter, please contact MDE with your concerns by email at Michael.richardson@maryland.gov.

ShoreRivers Welcomes and Thanks Board Leadership

Katherine Wiacek Rosemary Ramsey Granillo Nancy Cordes

ShoreRivers is pleased to announce three new members of its Governing Board: Katherine Wiacek, Rosemary Ramsey Granillo, and Nancy Cordes. As a grassroots nonprofit organization, the hard work and support of board members is imperative to the organization’s efforts for healthier rivers on the Eastern Shore. These welcome additions will fill openings as ShoreRivers founding board members Peter Welling, Anna Wolgast, and Trey Hill conclude their terms at the end of this year. ShoreRivers extends deep gratitude for the wise counsel, encouragement, and vision of these exceptional community members.

Wiacek is a managing director at Hines real estate company in Washington, DC, and is a second-generation board member. She enjoys spending time at her family home on Harris Creek in the Choptank River watershed.

Granillo is the director of the Kent County Local Management Board and a Chestertown resident. Like Wiacek, she too is a second-generation board member, succeeding her mother Marcy Dunn Ramsey, former chair of the Chester River Association.

Cordes is the chief White House correspondent for CBS News, and has a home on the Wye River. A long-time Eastern Shore enthusiast, Cordes hosted the 2021 State of the Rivers event online for ShoreRivers this past May.

These three voices will bring new expertise and connections to ShoreRivers, strengthening the organization’s robust science-based advocacy, restoration, and education efforts. 

At the turn of the year, ShoreRivers will welcome the new executive board leadership of Dan Hayes (Chair), William Anderson (Vice Chair), Scott Budden (Treasurer), Meta Boyd (Secretary), and Brennan Starkey (At-Large member). Starkey, president of Starkey Farms Company in Galena, has ably led the organization as its Chair for the past four years. In November, at his final board meeting as chair, Starkey reflected on his service with the comment, “ShoreRivers is strong and I leave it in good hands. What more could I want?”

In addition to the Governing Board, ShoreRivers appreciates open dialogue with dedicated community member volunteers through its four Watershed Advisory Boards. Find out more about ShoreRivers’ leaders at shorerivers.org/leadership.