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 instrument of the State in 1993 (Chapter 196, Acts of 1993).

The Maryland Environmental Service provides water supply systems and manages liquid, solid and hazardous wastes for private industry and local governments. The Service engineers, operates, and maintains water supply and wastewater treatment plants. It designs, constructs, services, and finances these facilities. Hazardous and solid waste are handled by sanitary landfills, incinerators, and resource recovery facilities managed by the Service. Wastewater sludge and dredged material from waterways also are managed by the Service. In addition, the Service conducts yard waste and composting projects, marketing the products that result.

The Service operates over 100 water and wastewater treatment facilities, as well 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; and the Regional Yard Debris Composting Facility in Prince George's County. Operating funds for the Maryland Envrionmental Service are generated by fees charged for its services to State agencies, local governments, and private entities. The Service may also issue revenue bonds.

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. A Deputy Director, Secretary, and Treasurer are appointed by the Director with the Governor's approval. Nonofficer members serve four-year terms (Code Natural Resources Article, secs. 3-101 through 3-132).

Maryland Independent Agencies


Maryland Manual On-Line

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