Moore’s Bay cleanup plan graded as ‘incomplete’; policymakers can close digital divide

Grade for Moore’s Chesapeake Bay plan would be ‘incomplete’

The headline on a recent Baltimore Banner commentary by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Josh Kurtz reads: “Gov.-elect Moore has right plan for Chesapeake Bay; restoring hope is first step.” The full commentary ignores four environmentally sound and cost-effective initiatives that could lead to measurable and sustainable success in restoring and maintaining the health of the Bay.

The first is final approval by the Board of Public Works of funding for dredging recyclable oyster shells from the Man-O-War Shoal in the Bay. This initiative to help restore the bay’s natural oyster population has been stalled for more than 25 years. If approved, the dredging will enhance an ongoing rebound of the bay’s oyster population and increase the capacity of the oyster population to reduce the impact of pollution naturally and effectively by filtering the bay’s waters.

This plan has been thoroughly reviewed and approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, as well as independent third-party research organizations. All have concluded this limited dredging proposal will not harm the Man-O-War Shoal or the Bay.

The second issue that requires action is resolution of untreated wastewater dumping at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant in Baltimore. Previous actions by the Hogan administration on this matter are simply not enough. Gov.-elect Moore and his team need to develop and implement a long-term solution.

The third issue is dredging the enormous amounts of silt and sediment trapped behind the Conowingo Dam that results in pollution flowing into the Bay following heavy rains and snowfalls in the Susquehanna River watershed above the dam.

Lastly, Maryland needs to ensure every organization that receives grant monies for bay cleanup efforts is monitored closely for regulatory compliance, timely performance and measurable results. Virginia provides a case study on how to do that.

Now is the time for Gov.-elect Moore and his team to seek an answer to the following question: Are there proper oversight and accountability requirements in place or needed in Maryland for all bay restoration efforts? Everyone interested in the bay and its watershed deserves answers to this question and action on the initiatives outlined above.

Captain Rob Newberry, Crumpton

Captain Rob Newberry is chair of the Delmarva Fisheries Association Inc.

Funding, innovative construction critical to closing digital divide

The Abell Foundation estimates that 23% of households in Maryland lack a broadband subscription. Newly available state and federal funding will be critical for addressing this digital divide. And now, as policymakers across the country consider how to ensure their communities have online access, they should also be thinking about how to stretch every dollar.

While planning and funding expanded broadband infrastructure are important steps, the most onerous undertaking of this process will be the actual construction of more robust communication networks. The White House recently announced the Dig Once initiative, which is the interagency coordination between the departments of Ccommerce, Transportation and Energy on the planning, design and construction to prevent multiple excavations for broadband, transportation, and electrification projects. Clearly, this is going to be a massive effort that will require both coordination and the latest construction techniques to allow for the most effective infrastructure build-out possible.

As broadband expansion efforts come to fruition, our elected officials must adopt policies that allow for the utilization of innovative construction methods that will maximize this funding to both bridge the digital divide and keep Maryland competitive by laying the foundation for next-generation networks, like 5G.

At Crown Castle, we are keenly aware of the requirements to ensure communication networks are robust and resilient. To ensure a quick and cost-effective process, local and state officials in Maryland must allow for the use of innovative construction techniques, such as microtrenching, to install the fiber needed for these networks. Microtrenching uses a narrow cut in the roadway to install fiber. Once the fiber is installed at the bottom of the trench, it is backfilled and sealed. The entire process takes only hours, can be completed without road closures, and once filled, is barely noticeable.

Microtrenching is a proven method that is already being utilized as a faster, safer, and environmentally friendly way to expand connectivity. California enacted legislation to put microtrenching to use for more efficient broadband deployment and communities across the country are embracing solutions to enhance fiber networks quickly and safely. Nationwide, millions of miles of fiber will be installed over the next few years. With the use of solutions such as microtrenching, we can help bridge the digital divide faster.

Carly Didden, Columbia

Carly Didden is responsible for Maryland and D.C. government affairs at Crown Castle

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