Fix Conowingo Dam; Help Clean Up Chesapeake Bay
- by: TakePart
- recipient: Maryland Governor-Elect Larry Hogan
For more than 90 years, Conowingo Dam has changed the flow of the Susquehanna River. It has blocked the migration of shad, herring, and eel. Its turbines kill millions of fish every year. It has also become a significant source of pollution as sediment pollution released from behind the dam during storms harms the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay.
The dam’s owner and operator has failed to fix the dam. But we have a chance right now to do something about that.
The federal license for Conowingo Dam has expired. The company that owns the dam must get a new one to continue to operate it. But first, Maryland must approve the dam’s water quality certification.
This gives Maryland a chance to act that won't come around again for another half century.
The Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay are regional and national treasures. We must take this opportunity to fully address the dam's impacts on fisheries and water quality.
Help TakePart and American Rivers urge Maryland's new governor, Larry Hogan, to hold the owner of the dam accountable for its impacts on water quality, fisheries, and aquatic habitat.
To: Maryland Governor-Elect Larry Hogan
Conowingo Dam's federal license is up for renewal. Maryland has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address the pollution behind the dam and bring it up to modern environmental standards while making sure the dam is able to continue generating hydroelectricity.
The dam's owner and operator has failed to address Conowingo Dam’s impacts on the environment. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has not forced it to make improvements.
Cleaning up Conowingo Dam is only one piece of the puzzle of cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay, but it's an important piece. We urge you to take advantage of this opportunity.
We want Maryland to use its authority under the Clean Water Act to address the dam’s impacts on water quality, fisheries, and aquatic habitat before relicensing it.
[Your comment here}
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
