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PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Scott MacKenzie (smackenzie@thecastlegrp.com)
The Castle Group
617-337-9514
Local Companies Partner with Federal and State Agencies to Protect and Restore Maryland’s Essential Wetlands
Proposed Restoration Projects to Mark Launch of Maryland Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership
(Queenstown, Md.) Oct. 24, 2008 – Local businesses, corporate and government officials, and environmental leaders gathered today at the Queenstown Harbor Golf Course to mark the inception of the Maryland chapter of the Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership (CWRP) and to announce the proposed restoration of numerous environmental habitats in Maryland, including the eroding shoreline of the Chester River.
The significant shoreline restoration project, located at Hail Point on the Chester River, home of the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, is one of six proposed environmental restoration projects planned by the MD chapter of the CWRP. Other proposed project locations include the North Point State park, the shoreline of the Nanticoke River and Isle of Wight Wildlife Management Area.
The CWRP is an innovative private-public initiative aimed at preserving, restoring, and protecting aquatic habitats. The MD chapter of the CWRP is comprised of representatives from the local business community, including The Brick Companies and Constellation Energy, that will join federal and state agencies, non-profit organizations and academia, to initiate crucial projects involving coastal and inland waterways and ecosystem educational programs.
Senior government officials providing remarks included Frank W. Dawson III, Assistant Secretary of Aquatic Resources of Maryland Department of Natural Resources; Stephen L. Pattison, Assistant Secretary of Maryland Department of the Environment; Ben Grumbles, Assistant Administrator, Office of Water, U.S. EPA: Don Welsh, Regional Administrator, U.S. EPA Region 3; and Wendi Weber, Deputy Regional Director, Northeast Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. After the ceremony, attendees joined U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel on a boat tour to witness firsthand the eroding shoreline at Hail Point.
Charlie Birney, managing director, The Brick Companies and chair, MD CWRP stated, “Restoration projects, such as the shoreline project at Hail Point, provide local companies the opportunity to positively impact the communities in which they operate. Restoring and protecting Maryland’s natural resources are vital to our society, environmental heritage and economy, and we are committed to spearheading this effort.”
“Constellation Energy continues to focus aggressively on its responsibility to be a good steward of the environment,” said Paul J. Allen, chief environmental officer and senior vice president, Constellation Energy. “Our company is honored to partner with CWRP as vice chair of the Maryland chapter, which is committed to finding innovative ways to restore, improve and protect the state’s wetlands.”
The CWRP is supported by the Coastal America Partnership, which is comprised of all federal agencies with statutory responsibilities for coastal resources or with operational activities that affect the coastal environment.
Virginia Tippie, Director, Coastal America commented, “By combining the resources of all partners committed to this effort, we are able to positively effect substantial and necessary changes in our environment. Coastal America is thrilled to work with the newly formed Maryland chapter of the CWRP to protect our ocean and coastal systems.”
About the Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership
The Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership (CWRP) is an innovative public-private partnership between 17 federal agencies, numerous state agencies, private businesses, conservation organizations and academia to protect, enhance and restore critical aquatic habitats. Nationwide, more than 300 corporate partners have contributed time, materials and money to facilitate selected aquatic habitat restoration projects. Since its inception in 1999, the CWRP has preserved, restored, enhanced and protected more than 20,000 acres of wetlands and 7,000 stream miles.
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