Dishing the Dam Dirt, Dealing with Sediment at the Conowingo Dam

A 14-mile reservoir behind the Conowingo Dam in northern Maryland stops two-thirds of the Susquehanna River’s sediment from flowing into the Chesapeake Bay. But the reservoir is expected to reach capacity within 20 years, and all of the sediment will get through.

State, Feds Say Charles County Development Plan Would Endanger Natural Resources

State and local governments disagree about what to do about development plans in Charles County, an area rich in natural resources and economic potential, with its proximity to Washington and strong military presence.

Offshore Wind Passes in Senate, Gov. O’Malley’s Signature Next

Gov. Martin O’Malley’s offshore wind energy bill was approved by the Senate Friday. The legislation will funnel ratepayer subsidies toward the construction of a wind power farm 10 to 30 miles off the coast of Ocean City.

Offshore Wind Farm Nears Success in Senate

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., pushed Gov. Martin O’Malley’s offshore wind energy bill closer to passage Thursday, with several amendments pending and several having already failed. A final vote could come Friday or Monday.

Shark Fin Soup Might Leave the Menu

A bill in both the House and Senate would make it illegal, with some exceptions, to distribute, possess, sell or trade shark fins in Maryland, effectively making it illegal to sell shark fin soup in the state.

Maryland Restaurant Caters to Food Allergies

Maureen Burke marks every item on her menu with a color-coded stamp that identifies potential allergens, and her kitchen is divided into two parts, real cheese and fake cheese. She is doing with her restaurant, One Dish Cuisine, what a bill in both the House and Senate would ask all Maryland restaurants to do: Understand food allergies.

One Step Closer to Offshore Wind Farms in Maryland

The Maryland House of Delegates preliminarily approved Gov. Martin O’Malley’s offshore wind energy bill Wednesday, and will take a final vote soon. A similar bill is in the Senate.

A “Perfect Storm” for Oysters in Harris Creek

Oysters are restoring themselves naturally in the Eastern Shore’s Harris Creek, thanks in part to good weather conditions last year. Harris Creek is also the site of the Oyster Recovery Partnership’s tributary-wide effort to restore oysters in the Chesapeake Bay.

Maryland Legislators Will Debate a Temporary Ban on Fracking

Members of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network gathered outside the Maryland State House Wednesday to advocate for a proposed moratorium on hydraulic fracturing.

Legislators Push to Make Soft-Shell Crab State Sandwich

Both the Maryland House and Senate heard a bill Thursday that would make the soft-shell crab sandwich Maryland’s state sandwich. Legislators say it will be economically beneficial for watermen.