Second Annual "Bay in Crisis: Saving the Chesapeake" Symposium, Nov. 14
November 6, 2008
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
The University of Baltimore School of Law will host its second annual symposium "The Bay in Crisis: Saving the Chesapeake Bay," on Friday, Nov. 14. This year, the daylong event, beginning at 10 a.m. in the School of Law's Moot Court Room, 1415 Maryland Ave., will focus on the impact of agricultural runoff on Chesapeake Bay water quality. Cong. John Sarbanes will open the symposium, while Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler is scheduled to speak at 1 p.m. The event is free and open to the public; pre-registration is required (details listed below).
This year's symposium topic is especially cogent in the broadening debate over environmental sustainability and economics. The comprehensive Farm Bill, enacted by Congress this past June, provides a landmark $188 million to agricultural producers who wish to voluntarily implement and enhance conservation measures in the Bay watershed. Starting later this year, the Environmental Protection Agency will begin to require concentrated animal feeding operations to have nutrient management plans in place for control of the animal waste generated by their operations. The plans will be part of the farms' Clean Water Act permit applications and permit requirements.
Similarly, the Maryland Department of the Environment has proposed that large poultry operations in the state be required to obtain discharge permits that would require stricter practices for managing poultry litter, while providing for greater regulatory oversight of their nutrient management programs.
University of Baltimore School of Law Dean Phillip J. Closius said the school is committed to bringing together policy makers, lawyers and the public to discuss the issues central to preserving the Bay.
"As the nation becomes increasingly aware of the need to preserve our natural resources, ensuring the cleanliness of our water will become an even bigger concern for the public, policy makers and lawyers," Closius said. "Protection of the Chesapeake Bay is and will be essential for securing Maryland's future and improving the quality of life of its residents."
Invited panelists include a number of representatives from Maryland's agricultural industry, as well as representatives from state and federal regulatory agencies and environmental watchdog groups. School of Law alumni who are scheduled to participate include Maryland Secretary of the Environment Shari T. Wilson, J.D. '87, as well as Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission Executive Director Ren Serey, J.D. '89.
University of Baltimore School of Law Professor Steven Davison, who is coordinating the event, said that proper farm management is a key component of restoring and protecting the Chesapeake.
"Runoff into the Bay's tributaries and into the Bay itself from poultry, hog, dairy and crop farms in Maryland and other states results in algae blooms that prevent sunlight from reaching the Bay's submerged aquatic vegetation and reduce the amounts of SAV and oxygen in the Bay's waters that are needed to sustain its fish and shellfish," Davison said. "With so many of our alumni significantly involved in Maryland's efforts to restore and protect the Chesapeake, the School of Law is the perfect venue to further explore this problem and its solutions."
For more information or to register for the symposium, call 410.837.6797 or visit the School of Law's Web site, http://law.ubalt.edu/chesapeake. The event is free, but pre-registration is strongly suggested due to limited seating.
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the School of Law, the Yale Gordon College of Liberal Arts and the Merrick School of Business.