Editor note: Mr. Foster has made the following correct to this opinion piece:
I wish to apologize to Congressman Andy Harris and to my readers in the Spy. I have just learned that my information regarding his vote on the Goodlatte Amendment was wrong and, in fact, Congressman Andy Harris actually voted against the Goodlatte Amendment.
While Congressman Harris and I may disagree on other issues, I want to commend him for his vote against the Goodlatte amendment for precisely the reasons that I listed in my article. I am also pleased to note that he does know where we live and understands that we really do need the assistance from the EPA in protecting us from upstream pollution originating in neighboring states.
Furthermore, while I am personally embarrassed that I failed to double check my sources regarding this vote, perhaps it does offer a reminder to all of us to carefully verify our sources before passing judgment.
Sincerely,
J. David Foster
Every fifth grader in Maryland’s 1st District knows that we all live (on the Right side of Maryland) near the Chesapeake Bay and downstream from the Susquehanna River that flows from New York through Pennsylvania into the Chesapeake. Unfortunately, Congressman Harris seems to have forgotten that his constituents all live downstream from two neighboring states and that the quality of the Bay and our own vital waterways are heavily dependent on the pollution control efforts made by our upstream neighbors.
How do we know that Congressman Harris has forgotten you? Because earlier this month he voted in lockstep to support of an amendment authored by Congressman Goodlatte to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from protecting you from water pollution generated upstream in New York and Pennsylvania. Now we may never know precisely why the Congressman from Virginia’s 6th District authored this amendment. However, if you look at the map above and compare Virginia’s 6th District with Maryland’s 1st, you can be sure that Congressman Goodlatte understands geography and knows precisely where his constituents live. Simply speaking, Goodlatte’s constituents, living in the mountains near West Virginia, may not need the EPA to protect them from out of state upstream water pollution but those of us living in the tidewater in Congressman Andy’s 1st district do.
Over the past several years Maryland farmers, factory owners and municipalities have all made serious efforts to control pollution and protect our waterways but much of that effort will be undone unless the people of New York and Pennsylvania also do their part. Furthermore, we have to ask ourselves whether all Marylanders will continue to work just as hard once they see that their efforts can be compromised through the negligence of state and local governments upstream.
Now look again at the map below to see where Congressman Goodlatte’ constituents in Virginia’s 6th District have their homes. Not only do none of them live anywhere near the shores of the Chesapeake but they all live in the Blue Ridge Mountains, up stream from any other state and other sources of water pollution. Obviously, Congressman Goodlatte understands geography and even understands that water, and pollution, flows down hill and most importantly, he understands how to take care of his constituents.
Ironically, just when Governor Hogan has decided to reexamine the Conowingo Dam to try and remove some of the sediment behind it, Congressman Harris has chosen to “pull the plug” on regulations that would hold New York and Pennsylvania accountable for reducing the sediment that flows into the Susquehanna River.
This is not a question of Republicans vs. Democrats or Conservatives vs. Liberals. I know that there are great people on both sides of the aisle who care about the environment and who want to protect our water. This is a question of whether Congressman Harris has studied the map and whether he knows where you, his constituents, live?
David Foster is a retired policy analyst with the Environmental Protection Agency and former Riverkeeper on the Chester River
David Lloyd says
Could not agree more with Mr. Foster! To join those who seek to prevent improvement in the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay — and other waterways — Congressman Harris should be ashamed of himself! Let’s hope that he either (1) loses his re-election bid or (2) comes close to losing it so he gets the message. Either way, our friends and neighbors need to get out and vote in November!!
Helen Chappell says
A look at the source of Harris’ campaign funding should tell anyone that he will vote the interests of the Koch Brothers and their Club for Growth, and the NRA. That he has failed so miserably on regional, environmental and social issues that affect the First District should surprise no one who follows his money trail.
Julie Imirie says
Wrong. He voted against it.
John Thompson says
I couldn’t agree more with Mr. Foster. I also find that proper “Maps” are an excellent way to communicate with not only Our Leaders, but also the Public at Large…in a way that can “simplify a complex issue” in an “unbiased” way. BTW, Maryland’s Best GIS (Geographic Information Systems) talent is on Our side of the I-95 Ditch. SEE ESRGC https://www.esrgc.org/projects/#broadband
If a “Picture” is worth a “Thousand Words” and a “Tweet” is worth “144 Characters”…A “Map” is worth “Full Motion Video” captured in “a single frame”.
Carol Voyles says
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Hope someone is listening. We simply cannot tolerate being misled any longer, particularly when the Bay is a primary source of our economic health.