Attorney general launches public meetings seeking tips on curbing bay, river pollution

Md.'s new `green' watchdog

The goal is to collect information and perform an annual "audit" of how well the state is doing on enforcing pollution laws and protecting the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

Gansler has hired a special assistant for the environment, Erin Fitzsimmons, a former regional coordinator with the Waterkeeper Alliance, an environmental group. Gansler is scheduled to take a boat tour of the Chester River with the Chester Riverkeeper tomorrow.

Michele Merkel, the current regional coordinator for the Waterkeeper Alliance, said: "It's great that the attorney general is reaching out to local communities to help him identify polluters. However, his audit will only be successful if he is able to use the information he gathers to bring polluters to justice."

Gansler campaigned on a pledge to take a more activist role on environmental issues. In November, he spoke out in favor of higher fines for agricultural polluters at a "Poultry Summit" in Salisbury organized by the Waterkeeper Alliance.

He also said Maryland should help create a waste-burning plant that could turn chicken litter into electricity. Gansler successfully lobbied the General Assembly this year to define chicken waste - which pollutes the bay - as an alternative energy source that power companies will be required to use in the future.

"The environment is my priority," Gansler said. "I'm the head lawyer in the state, and my job is to promote and advocate for good public policy."

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