Environment

My Beliefs

  • The Chesapeake Bay is one of Maryland’s most important natural resources

  • We can achieve a balance between protecting the environment and promoting agricultural, commercial and residential development

  • Promoting aquaculture is an effective way to help clean the bay while encouraging economic development in St Mary’s County

My Accomplishments

  • Renewed and doubled Maryland's oyster shell recycling tax credit--boosted supply of shells avaliable for expanding oyster shoals that filter out pollutants in the bay

  • Drove passage of new Agritourism law giving farmers more flexibility in using their land--increased economic opportunity while preserving St Mary's rural nature

  • Fixed flawed bill that would have prevented most Chesapeake Bay conservation efforts--pushed through a corrective amendment on house floor

My Plans

  • Continue working with other Maryland Oyster Advisory Commission members to restore oyster habitats while ensuring watermen's future livelihood

  • Improve aquaculture permitting process to ensure proper balance between providing opportunity to aquaculture farmer while preserving shoreline property owners' rights

  • Support efforts to dredge behind the Conowingo Dam to reduce the flow of pollutants into the bay