![[photo, Maryland Environmental Service, 259 Najoles Road, Millersville, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/25ind/images/1198-1-859.jpg)
On July 1, 1970, the Maryland Environmental Service was created as an independent agency (Chapter 240, Acts of 1970). It joined the Department of Natural Resources in 1972, and later separated from the Department to become a public instrumentality of the State in 1993 (Chapter 196, Acts of 1993).
Maryland Environmental Service, 259 Najoles Road, Millersville, Maryland, August 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
The Service works through three main divisions: Environmental Operations; Technical and Environmental Services; and Water and Wastewater Services. Overseeing the Service is the Board of Directors.
State-mandated programs for environmental protection, such as scrap-tire stockpile cleanup and recovery, and used motor oil and antifreeze recycling, are overseen by Environmental Operations. This office also conducts yard waste and composting projects, such as the Mid-Shore Regional Landfill in Talbot County, the Yard Debris Composting Facility in Montgomery County, and the Regional Yard Debris Composting Facility in Prince George's County. Moreover, the office runs the Montgomery County Material Recycling Facility, the Baltimore County Resource Recovery Facility, and the Western Acceptance Facility in Baltimore County.
Byproducts of recycling are marketed by the Service. Leaves and grass clippings from local landfills are composted and sold as organic soil conditioner.
Environmental Operations is responsible for two divisions: Project Management, and Solid Waste Operations.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT DIVISION
SOLID WASTE OPERATIONS DIVISION
ENVIRONMENTAL DREDGING & RESTORATION
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING
Consulting services also are provided by Environmental Monitoring for renewable energy projects, using biomass, wind, solar, geothermal and other green technologies. To promote energy efficiency and conservation, the division conducts energy audits and recommends suitable technologies to reduce energy consumption.
WATER & WASTEWATER ENGINEERING
This division works with private clients and local, State and federal government agencies to manage capital improvement projects at water and wastewater treatment facilities, and water distribution and sewer collection systems. In addition, the division investigates and designs solutions for plant operation problems. To municipalities, the division provides technical assistance in applying for and administering federal and State environmental protection grants and loans.
WATER & WASTEWATER OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE
Core duties of Water and Wastewater Operations and Maintenance are to ensure a safe drinking-water supply and minimize the environmental impact of residential and industrial wastewater discharge. County, municipal and private facilities, as well as all State plants at correctional institutions, health facilities, rest areas, and parks are operated and maintained by this division. Wastewater sludge and dredged material from waterways also are managed by the division.
The water and wastewater treatment plant at the Eastern Correctional Institution in Somerset County is run and maintained by this division. In addition, the division manages the Wastewater Plant at the Maryland Correctional Institution-Hagerstown in Washington County.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A nine-member Board of Directors governs the Service. The Board Director and five members are appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. With the Governor's approval, a Deputy Director, Secretary, and Treasurer are named by the Director. Nonofficer members serve four-year terms (Code Natural Resources Article, sec. 3-103).
ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATIONS
Environmental Operations began as Environmental Services and Waste Management, and reorganized under its present name in 2004.
Under Environmental Operations, the Project Management Division started as Solid Waste Engineering, and reformed under its present name in 2011.
Solid Waste Operations began as Materials Handling and Solid Waste and reformed under its present name in 2007. Solid Waste Operations disposes of solid waste for Maryland communities through transfer stations, landfills, and recycling.
EASTERN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION CO-GENERATION PLANT
To meet the energy needs of the Eastern Correctional Institution in Somerset County, Environmental Operations runs a co-generation facility which burns wood chips for steam, hot water, and electricity.
TECHNICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Technical and Environmental Services formed in 2004. It oversees two divisions: Environmental Dredging and Restoration, and Environmental Monitoring.
Environmental Dredging and Restoration provides dredged materials management services, including planning, design, and environmental studies. It assesses dredging needs and placement options and assists in obtaining permits for tributary dredging projects. To help rebuild oyster and fishing reefs in the Chesapeake Bay, the division is introducing man-made reef systems. The division operates and maintains the Hart-Miller Dredged-Material Containment Facility in Baltimore County, as well as the Poplar Island restoration project in Talbot County.
Environmental Monitoring assists clients with storm water management and storm water pollution prevention plans. For State and local governments and the private sector, it monitors ground water through environmental assessments and laboratory analyses. To prevent the runoff of toxic chemicals into nearby streams and tributaries, the division manages the de-icing fluid collection, storage and disposal system at Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport.
WATER & WASTEWATER SERVICES
Organized in 2005, Water and Wastewater Services is responsible for Water and Wastewater Engineering, and Water and Wastewater Operations and Maintenance.
Water and Wastewater Engineering originated as Engineering Services in 2004 under Technical and Environmental Services. In 2005, it reformed as Water and Wastewater Engineering and transferred to Water and Wastewater Services.
Water and Wastewater Operations and Maintenance began under Environmental Operations as Water and Wastewater Management in 2004, and transferred to Water and Wastewater Services in 2005. The division was renamed Water and Wastewater Operations in 2007 and received its present name in 2011.
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