MARYLAND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

In 1970, the Maryland Environmental Service was created (Chapter 240, Acts of 1970). Formerly under the Department of Natural Resources, the Service was made a public instrumentality of the State in 1993 (Chapter 196, Acts of 1993). The Service provides water supply systems and manages liquid, solid and hazardous wastes for private industry and federal, State and local governments. Operating funds for the Maryland Environmental Service are generated by fees charged for its services to private entities, and federal, State and local governments. The Service also may issue revenue bonds (Code Natural Resources Article, secs. 3-101 through 3-130).

Maryland Environmental Service, 259 Najoles Drive, Millersville, Maryland, August 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

The Service works through four main divisions: Environmental Operations; Finance; Recyling; and Technical and Environmental Services. Overseeing the Service is the Board of Directors.

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 appointed 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.

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.

MATERIALS HANDLING & SOLID WASTE
At sanitary landfills, incinerators, and resource recovery facilities, the Environmental Operations disposes of hazardous and solid waste. Environmental protection programs that are State-mandated, such as scrap tire stockpile cleanup and recovery, and used motor oil and antifreeze recycling are overseen by Environmental Operations.

In addition, this division 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. The division also operates the Montgomery County Material Recycling Facility, the Baltimore County Resource Recovery Facility, and the Western Acceptance Facility in Baltimore County.

WATER & WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
Water & Wastewater Management works 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 are operated and maintained by this division. In addition, the division operates the Wastewater Plant at the Maryland Correctional Institution-Hagerstown in Washington County.

RECYCLING

Recycling originally formed as the Tire Recycling and Organics Bagging Program. It adopted its current name in 2004.

Byproducts of recycling are marketed by the Service. Leaves and grass clippings from local landfills are composted and sold as soil conditioner. In January 2003, the Service opened a crumb rubber manufacturing facility in Halethorpe, Baltimore County. The facility converts scrap tires into rubber nuggets used by manufacturers to make consumer and industrial products, such as mats, buckets, fenceposts, insulation, and sound barriers.

TECHNICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Technical and Environmental Services was formed in 2004. It includes five divisions: Engineering Services; Environmental Dredging and Restoration; Environmental Monitoring; Maintenance; and Research and Environmental Technologies.

ENGINEERING SERVICES
Engineering Services assists 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.

ENVIRONMENTAL DREDGING & RESTORATION
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
Environmental Monitoring assists clients with storm water management and storm water pollution prevention plans. For State and local governments and the private sector, it conducts assessments and laboratory analyses of ground water.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Research and Development was formed in 2004 as Research and Environmental Technologies. In 2005, it received its present name. The division works to find new technologies to solve environmental problems.