Yesterday, Ben Grumbles, who was under fire for not paying attention to the growing pollution problems at Back River Waste Water Treatment Plant, resigned as Maryland’s secretary of environment.
Robin L. Grammer Jr. (R -Middle River), a Delegate, said, “I’m glad there’s accountability.” He had called for Gov. Larry Hogan should remove Grumbles.
Following reports of massive discharges of semitreated sewage from a Baltimore City-operated plant into Back River in March, the legislators requested that they be granted permission.
Grammer told T that Maryland Department of the Environment will hopefully return to the straight and narrow, something that hasn’t happened in the past several years.He BrewGrumbles had admitted that he knew of high levels of bacteria at the facility back in 2019.
Fairfield’s Patapsco treatment facility on Asiatic Avenue has experienced a similar decline in water quality standards. Last summer, exposedBlue Water Baltimore
MDEs can inspect their own reports Have detailedBack River equipment that was broken and treatment tanks that were clogged with floating solids and vegetation, Grumbles acknowledged that this had made the facility vulnerable to contamination. Unexpected failure.
Vegetation seen at Back River in a biological plant during a state inspection on March 22, 2022. BELOW: Orange-brown gunk suspended from the effluent of the plants outflow pipe into Back River. (MDE Mark Reutter)
Grumbles are replaced by a Deputy
Hogan announced that Horacio Tambada, deputy secretary to Grumbles, would be the agency’s new chief, and Suzanne Dorsey (assistant secretary) will take the slot of deputy.
Grammer stated that Tabladas top priorities will be dealing With Back River, the largest treatment facility in the country, which was brought under state control via the quasi-public Maryland Environmental Service.
The new management has been given the task of developing a compliance plan for this facility. Expect bi-weekly progress reports to be issued starting June 6.
It is imperative to improve community relations. Grammer stated that the agency cannot keep environmental groups and people living near the plant at arm’s length.
Hogan announced that Grumbles will be leaving the Environmental Council of the States as executive director in a press release.
Hogan stated that Grumbles leadership has made great strides in achieving our Chesapeake Bay restoration goal, reduced childhood lead poisoning, and implemented one the most aggressive and balanced climate programs nationwide.
Dramatic nosedive
Harry E. Hunsicker III is a top aide. ResignAs chief of water pollution compliance for March
Hunsicker resigned shortly after five environmental organizations published a joint report stating that water pollution enforcement had taken a significant step. Dramatic nosediveUnder the Hogan administration.
The report revealed that MDE had identified 70% fewer pollutants violations than under Martin OMalley’s governorship. It took 67% fewer enforcement actions, inspected 30% fewer locations, and collected 47% fewer monetary fines.
From the Chesapeake Accountability Project.
Grumbles’ regulatory approach was criticized in the report. Non-compliant holders of state water permits could submit material stating that corrective actions had been taken without any verification. MDEs problems were further exacerbated by its increased dependence on local jurisdictions to enforce environmental cleanup legislation.
Grumbles stated that the agency was hampered by a large number retirements and unfilled posts, particularly the drinking water safety officer.
Responding to a federal government report DocumentationDue to a shortage of water inspectors, Brian Frosh, Maryland Attorney General, called Grumbles and Hogan last Dec. to address the problem to avoid public health crises similar to the one in Flint, Michigan.
Recent BrewStories on Back River and MDE:
Baltimore’s poor management was the root cause of recently discovered sewage outflows into Bay (9/1/21)
This is what the wastewater smells and looks at the Back River sewage treatment plant. (4/19/22).
A COMPLETE INDEX BrewCoverage for Back River sewage and DPW is provided Here.
