CITY OF ANNAPOLIS
160 Duke of Gloucester St.
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Media Contact: Mitchelle Stephenson, 410-972-7724, mwstephenson@annapolis.gov;
Roz Hamlett, 410-279-4748 roz.hamlett@aacounty.org
**MEDIA ADVISORY**
No Discharge Zone Press Conference
WHO: Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley
Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman
WHAT: No Discharge Zone Signing and Announcement
WHERE: Susan Campbell Park, City Dock, Annapolis
WHEN: October 18, 2019, 12:30 p.m.
WHY: Mayor Gavin Buckley, of Annapolis, with Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, will sign the EPA and Maryland Department of the Environment application to create a No Discharge Zone (NDZ) in an area that includes the Annapolis Harbor and all waterways that feed the Chesapeake Bay that begin in Anne Arundel County (including the Severn River, Magothy River, South River, and West/Rhode Rivers).
In a No Discharge Zone, boats with a hold are not permitted to discharge either treated or untreated boat sewage. By keeping human waste out of area waterways, it will help to clean up waterways in an area that runs from Gibson Island to Deale.
When Rhode Island instituted a No Discharge Zone at Great Salt Pond, officials were able to reopen shellfish beds that had been closed from high bacteria levels for over a decade. In Avalon Harbor, California, bacteria counts dropped from 16,000 to 23 organisms per 100 milliliter by a strong enforcement effort after their NDZ was adopted.
The Annapolis Harbormaster’s Pumpout boat will be on-site to demonstrate the service. Maps of pump-out stations in Anne Arundel County will be available.
Also confirmed for attendance:
Alderman Fred Paone
Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson
Kurt Riegel, Severn River Commission
David Barker, Severn River Association
Tom Guay, Severn River Association