Your Voice is our Strongest Tool!

Late last year, Potomac Riverkeeper and others sought major changes in the way Maryland operates and enforces the Clean Water Act.

On December 7, the Waterkeepers Chesapeake of Maryland (which includes Potomac Riverkeeper) and the Waterkeeper Alliance filed a petition asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strip Maryland of its authority to administer a pollution permitting program for dischargers in the state.

We believe Maryland’s Department of the Environment has systematically failed to effectively administer and enforce the Clean Water Act's pollution permitting program, and that failure prompted our actions.

The petition, which was filed on behalf of the Waterkeepers by the University of Maryland Environmental Law Clinic, immediately received coverage in the Baltimore Sun, the Annapolis Capital, and the Washington Post.

The EPA has heard from us—and now they must hear from you! Read the information in the nearby box and tell your elected officials: “Enough is enough! NOW is the time to restore our rivers and streams!”

• Maryland has not cleaned up our rivers and streams as promised
• The Waterkeepers have appealed to the EPA to take control of these responsibilities and clean up our rivers and streams

• Write a letter to your elected officials (if you don't know what to say, view our samples):
• Write an email to your elected officials
• Write to your favorite newspaper or blog in support of our  actions
• Please email copies of any letters or emails to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Governor Martin O’Malley--(email)
100 State Circle
Annapolis, Maryland   
21401-1925

Lisa Jackson (Administrator of EPA)--( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
USEPA Headquarters
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N. W.
Mail Code: 1101A
Washington, DC 20460

Shawn Garvin (Regional EPA Administrator for Region III)--( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
USEPA REGION 3
1650 Arch Street
Mail Code: 3RA00
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029

U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski--(email)
503 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin--(email)
509 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Your U.S. House representative, your Maryland House of Delegates representatives, and your Maryland Senate representatives--(look up address and email)