Efforts to try and control Subaquatic Vegetation (SAV) growth in Deep Creek Lake have come down to legislation written by State Senator Mike McKay (SB837) and our Delegate Jim Hinebaugh (HB910).
If you are a Maryland Resident or care about Deep Creek Lake, please read on.
These bills will have hearings in Annapolis on Feb 20th and 23rd respectively. We hope to have a favorable hearing in both the Senate and House so that the bills are released from the Committee with a favorable recommendation. Each bill will then go through a second reading and, eventually, will be voted on by the entire Senate or House of Delegates to determine passage or not.
The bills will require Brookfield Renewable Power to lower the lake to a level just above the Winter Lower Rule Band level for at least 30 days during the winter each year for 3-5 years during which DNR will collect and study the results to determine if the process retards the growth of the SAV that are exposed. This historically has worked in various locations throughout the country to prevent growth by killing off the grass close to the shoreline and docks by exposing it to cold temperatures.
Brookfield refuses to do this stating the lake may not refill so legislation was drafted by the County and other stakeholders with the support of Mike and Jim. The bills may be read in full by going to mgaleg.maryland.gov and searching on the bills by the two-letter designator and number. By the way, there is no record the lake has ever failed to refill by Spring, even when it used to be lowered further than the current Lower Rule Band.
Below are the email addresses for both committee chairmen that will hold these hearings.
- HB910 – Marc.Korman@house.state.md.us Chairman, Environment & Transportation Committee, Maryland House of Delegates.
- SB837 – Brian.Feldman@senate.state.md.us Chairman, Education & Environment Committee, Maryland Senate.
Please take a few minutes (not later than Monday) to send an email of support to these chairmen regarding these bills.
