We knew that coming off of last session’s historic environmental victories like the Watershed Protection & Restoration Act, the Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act, and eliminating Arsenic from chicken feed among others, that the 2013 session would be one of defending past success and moving ahead at least gradually towards new success. We fought long and hard to protect those victories and achieve new successes. And, powered by Clean Water Action members, we did.

Protecting our Water Resources

A Pesticides Database Moves Forward

A four year campaign to create a statewide comprehensive database for tracking thousands of pesticides that are released into Maryland’s environment made a great leap forward through the passage of Senate Bill 675/House Bill 775 (both passed).

Thanks to members, staff and allies, Clean Water Action enjoyed three significant victories on the final day of the 2013 legislative session in Annapolis, with exciting action on various fronts in the final hours leading up to midnight, when the legislature adjourns for the year.

With your help we:

• Passed HB 775 to create a study group to develop a statewide pesticides database
• Stopped an amended HB 508, which would have delayed implentation of a stormwater fee
• Stopped SB 799, which would have encouraged more trash incineration
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Pesticides pose the greatest risk to infants and children. Exposure during pregnancy and childhood has been linked to certain childhood cancers and other health conditions, including impaired cognitive function and behavioral problems. Just a few weeks ago, in response to growing scientific evidence, the American Academy of Pediatrics formally recognized this by issuing its first policy statement aimed at minimizing pesticide exposure in children.

Now we need State legislators to recognize this and pass the Pesticides Information and Reporting Act.