3 hours ago
ANNAPOLIS, Md. —
A bill currently before Maryland's General Assembly seeks to place people and communities at the heart of environmental decision-making.
Known as the "Cherish Our Communities Act," the legislation mandates that pollution permit decisions be based on environmental justice data, which assesses the impact on public health. Currently, Maryland lacks the legal authority to make permitting decisions using this data.
The bill establishes a framework that ensures community voices are integral to decisions affecting their health. Its objective is to protect communities while providing clear guidelines for industry.
The Cherish Our Communities Act aims to prevent neighborhoods already burdened by pollution from being forced to accept additional environmental harm without safeguards and benefits. On Tuesday, a coalition of environmentalists and concerned citizens expressed their support during a rally at Lawyer's Mall in Annapolis.
"We're here today because the Cherish Bill puts communities back into decision-making. As its name beautifully suggests, it's about cherishing our communities. For far too long, communities across Maryland have endured air and groundwater pollution and have had to bear an unfair share of environmental harm," said Carlos Sanchez, a concerned citizen from South Baltimore.
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) maintains a state map identifying communities overburdened by pollution and underserved by government services. The legislation introduces new requirements for pollution permits in these areas and empowers MDE to deny permits on environmental justice grounds.
"I am a proud mother of two children, including my young son who lives with asthma and autism. Every day, I worry about the air my son breathes. Families like mine, living in neighborhoods surrounded by pollution, are paying the price with their health," said Marta Orellana from Baltimore City.
"I speak for families with children struggling with asthma, for industries and households contaminated by pollution, and for farmers whose land is saturated with nitrates to the point it is barely usable. These are not just statistics; these are my neighbors," stated Monica Brooks of the NAACP.
The bill also requires that a burden report be included with permit applications. This report provides a baseline understanding of risks, disparities, and environmental needs in affected communities.
"Let me be clear about this bill and what it represents. The Cherish Act is about fairness, transparency, and making smarter, more responsible decisions regarding our environment and health," said State Senator Benjamin Brooks (D), the bill's sponsor.
Advocates have collaborated with lawmakers for months, agreeing to concessions to make the bill more budget-friendly. The legislation has been heard in both the House and Senate, though no vote has yet been scheduled.
