Way Downstream
Maryland has signed on to the Climate Registry, a 30-state pact to measure, track and reduce greenhouse emissions. States already signed on — including big players like California, Florida and New York — represent some 70 percent of the U.S. population. Envisioned as the central nervous system for tracking greenhouse gases in the U.S., the Registry will unify the states in curbing climate change. Starting in January 2008, the tally of actual tons emitted begins …
In Maryland, online eBay bidders are a new source of state wealth. Comptroller Peter Franchot continues a program begun by former comptroller William Donald Schafer to turn abandoned safe deposit items into cash for the state’s general fund. Since the auctions started in July 2006, the state has sold 640 items for $100,000. The highest priced item — a gold brooch — sold for more than $12,000. Safe deposit boxes, bank accounts, wages, insurance benefits are considered abandoned if unclaimed for more than three years. See what’s up for sale now at www.marylandtaxes.com …
In Anne Arundel County, businesses can clean up their acts with no interest. Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation offers zero-interest loans up to $35,000 for exterior and interior improvements, including landscaping, signage, lighting and professional architectural design services. The pilot phase targets Glen Burnie, Pasadena, Brooklyn Park and West Street in Annapolis. But there’s only enough in that pot for seven to 10 loans. Christina Wiegand: 410-222-7410 …
On Maryland roads, Baysiders had better stay close to home. The new Road Rage survey that came out this week had D.C. drivers fifth worst and Baltimore drivers 15th worst. The survey by the car club AutoVantage ranked the rudeness of drivers in 25 metropolitan areas. Worst was Miami, followed by New York and Boston. If it’s polite motorists you desire, head to Portland, Ore. or, closer to home, Pittsburgh …
On Maryland farms, Maryland Department of Agriculture is planning to begin its annual collection of empty hazardous pesticide containers at seven locations on 28 days from June through September. The collection keeps pesticide residue out of soil and water and saves landfill space. Over 15 years, 500,000 plastic pesticide containers have yielded 200 tons of recyclable plastic flakes. Rob Hofstetter: 410-841-5710; www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/recycle.pdf …
Our Creature Feature comes from Virginia, where ongoing fish kills in the Shenandoah River have created a mystery that scientists in our region have yet to solve. By most accounts, the river’s prized bass and sunfish have simply lost their immunity and therefore their capacity to withstand disease of any sort.
As a result, they’re dying of various conditions from organ failure to parasites to fungus. Two years ago, 80 percent of the Shenandoah’s smallmouth bass and redbreast sunfish perished. This year thousands of fish are floating to the surface dead. We hope that researchers figure it out in a hurry and not only because the Shenadoah flows into the Chesapeake …
