No Discharge Zone Discussion Scheduled For Aug. 19 In Edgewater

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Annapolis residents spoke out at an Aug. 14 meeting about the proposed no discharge zone that supporters believe will protect Anne Arundel County's waterways. Residents have the chance to discuss the proposal at the next meeting to be held in Edgewater Aug. 19 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Anne Arundel County Police Department, 35 Stepneys Lane.

A No Discharge Zone (NDZ) is an area in which both untreated and treated sewage discharges from vessels are prohibited. Discharge of untreated sewage from vessels is illegal anywhere within three miles of the United States coast. Within NDZ boundaries, vessel operators are required to retain their sewage for disposal onshore at a pumpout facility and must disable "treat and release" marine sanitation devices.

Severn River Association, with the support of Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis, has prepared a draft NDZ application for the waters of Anne Arundel County. Interested members of the public are invited to any of three public information sessions to ask questions, provide comments, and learn more about the proposal.

An additional meeting will be held Aug. 22 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Department, 161 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park.

Public comments are taken at these meetings and attached to the NDZ proposal. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Department of the Environment will review the application this fall and consider applying to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for this additional level of protection for state waters. The draft NDZ application is available on the Severn River Association website and more information about the NDZ process is available at the EPA website.