The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is a statutory member of
the Maryland Military Installation Council and a key facilitator of the
strong working relationship with the DoD on matters of environmental concern
to the state and military communities. MDE works closely with installations
on state environmental priorities and regulates installations with existing
laws and policies that address potential environmental impacts associated with
military activities. MDE plays a key supporting role in implementing the recommendations
of the
2019 Statewide Joint Land Use Response Implementation Strategy to facilitate
community and military compatibility.
MDE works closely with military installations under specific agreements that
foster military input with state environmental priorities. An example of this
can be seen in the Chesapeake Bay Restoration, in which installations work with
the surrounding community to help the state reach its Bay Watershed Implementation
goals. As noted below, MDE has an array of laws, rules, and policies that address
potential environmental impacts associated with military operations. To help
facilitate understanding state regulatory requirements, MDE meets regularly
with environmental managers from the DoD under an Intergovernmental
Service Agreement (IGSA).
MDE works closely with military installations under specific agreements that
foster military input with state environmental priorities. An example of this
can be seen in the Chesapeake Bay Restoration, in which installations work with
the surrounding community to help the state reach its Bay Watershed Implementation
goals. As noted below, MDE has an array of laws, rules, and policies that address
potential environmental impacts associated with military operations. To help
facilitate understanding state regulatory requirements, MDE meets regularly
with environmental managers from the Department of Defense under an intergovernmental
partnership agreement (IGSA).
In addition, MDE is one of seven state agencies that take part in the review
of
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) applications for Air Quality, Water Quality/Quantity,
Noise/Vibration, Dust/Smoke/Steams
permitting approval of utility-scale renewable energy projects (along with the DNR, Maryland Energy Administration, Planning, Maryland Department of Transportation, and Commerce).
MDE is also a part of the
Federal Offshore Siting Process for Renewable Energy projects. Compatible
permitting and siting of renewable energy projects are key to maintaining and
protecting the military mission and operational areas in the state.
Compatibility Factors relevant to the Department of the Environment: Air Quality, Water Quality/Quantity,
Noise/Vibration, Dust/Smoke/Steams
Relevant Programs and Plans
MD Environment Code Ann. § 3-401 (2020): Environmental Noise Standards,
Sound Level Limits, and Noise Control Rules and Regulations - Adoption.
Under this statute, MDE is guided to “adopt environmental noise standards,
sound level limits, and noise control rules and regulations as necessary
to protect public health, welfare, and property.”
MDE's
Land Restoration Program (LRP) focuses on cleaning up uncontrolled hazardous waste sites throughout the state. The efforts of the LRP serve to protect public health and the environment at sites historically contaminated by hazardous wastes, many of which are military installations. Cleanup activities mitigate immediate uncontrolled discharges, ensure that contaminated soil does not pose a risk to public health and the environment, address groundwater contamination that may affect drinking water supply or otherwise pose a threat to public health or the environment.
Many military installations are LRP project sites.
Fort Detrick,
Aberdeen Proving Ground, the
Coast Guard Yard,
NAS Patuxent River, and
Fort Meade are examples of military installations in Maryland with LRP projects, to name a few. Use the
MDE – LRP Map to explore other LRP projects and fact sheets. MDE also has made
LRP fact sheets available by county.
MDE's climate change program supports military installation resiliency
through a variety of statewide initiatives, including the
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and the
Commission on Climate Change. Challenges of climate change are not solely
confined to a specific community or military installation. It is important
for installations to collaborate with the surrounding community to meet
the goals of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act that lays out standards
for reduction of statewide greenhouse gas emissions. Refer to the
2030 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act Plan to learn more about Maryland's
approach to greenhouse gas reduction.
MDE works with the EPA and military
bases to assess, remediate, and monitor PFAs released as a result of base
activities. A 2018 report released by the DoD identified four sites in Maryland
with PFA contamination in groundwater: the former Fort Meade Tipton Airfield;
Naval Research Lab Chesapeake Beach Detachment; the former Navy Bayhead
Annex in Annapolis; and the former Naval Research Lab in White Oak. Since
that time, four additional military installations have been identified,
including Aberdeen Proving Ground, NAS Patuxent River, Joint Base Andrews,
and the former Brandywine Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office. As
a result, preliminary assessments are also being conducted at the remaining
military installations throughout the state. Learn more about each case
and what is currently being done at MDE's resource: Maryland and PFAs (Military
Bases).
