MARYLAND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

In 1970, the Maryland Environmental Service was created (Chapter 240, Acts of 1970). Formerly under the Department of Natural Resources, the Service was made a public instrumentality of the State in 1993 (Chapter 196, Acts of 1993). The Service provides water supply systems and manages liquid, solid and hazardous wastes for private industry and federal, State and local governments. Operating funds for the Maryland Environmental Service are generated by fees charged for its services to private entities, and federal, State and local governments. The Service also may issue revenue bonds (Code Natural Resources Article, secs. 3-101 through 3-130).

The Service works through four main divisions: Environmental Operations; Finance; Recyling; and Technical and Environmental Services. Overseeing the Service is the Board of Directors.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A nine-member Board of Directors governs the Service. The Board Director and five members are appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. With the Governor's approval, a Deputy Director, Secretary, and Treasurer are appointed by the Director. Nonofficer members serve four-year terms (Code Natural Resources Article, sec. 3-103).

ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATIONS

Environmental Operations began as Environmental Services and Waste Management, and reorganized under its present name in 2004.

At sanitary landfills, incinerators, and resource recovery facilities, the Environmental Operations disposes of hazardous and solid waste. Environmental protection programs that are State-mandated, such as scrap tire stockpile cleanup and recovery, and used motor oil and antifreeze recycling are overseen by Environmental Operations. In addition, this division conducts yard waste and composting projects.

To meet the energy needs of the Eastern Correctional Institution, the division also operates a co-generation facility which burns wood chips for steam, hot water, and electricity.

RECYCLING

Recycling originally formed as the Tire Recycling and Organics Bagging Program. It adopted its current name in 2004.

Byproducts of recycling are marketed by the Service. Leaves and grass clippings from local landfills are composted and sold as soil conditioner. Since January 2002, a pelletized chicken litter product has been bagged and sold by the Service as organic fertilizer. In January 2003, the Service opened a crumb rubber manufacturing facility in Halethorpe, Baltimore County. The facility converts scrap tires into rubber nuggets used by manufacturers to make consumer and industrial products, such as mats, buckets, fenceposts, insulation, and sound barriers.

TECHNICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Technical and Environmental Services originated as Water and Wastewater Programs. It reformed under its present name in 2004.

Technical and Environmental Services works to ensure a safe drinking-water supply and minimize the environmental impact of residential and industrial wastewater discharge. County, municipal and private facilities, as well as all State plants at correctional institutions, health facilities, rest areas, and parks are operated and maintained by this division. Wastewater sludge and dredged material from waterways also are managed by the division.

The water and wastewater treatment plant at the Eastern Correctional Institution in Somerset County are operated and maintained by this division. In addition, the division operates the Biological Nutrient Removal Plant at the Maryland Correctional Institution-Hagerstown in Washington County.

Over 200 water and wastewater treatment facilities are run by Technical and Environmental Services as are waste disposal and recycling facilities, such as the Mid-Shore Regional Landfill in Talbot County; the Hawkins Point Hazardous Waste Landfill, and the Hart-Miller Island Dredged-Material Containment Facility in Baltimore County; the Yard Debris Composting Facility in Montgomery County; and the Regional Yard Debris Composting Facility in Prince George's County. The division also operates the Montgomery County Material Recycling Facility, the Baltimore County Resource Recovery Facility, and the Western Acceptance Facility in Baltimore County.