Alison Prost, Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) Vice President for Environmental Protection and Restoration, commended the selection of Adam Ortiz to be the new EPA Region III Administrator.
Adam Ortiz is currently the Director of the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection. Prior to that he was the Director of the Department of Environment for Prince George’s County, Maryland. From 2005 to 2011, he was a three-term Mayor of Edmonston, Maryland.
Mr. Ortiz has been a master at finding creative solutions to the sometimes-intractable problems of urban and suburban polluted runoff. He has demonstrated that what is good for the environment is even better for the community. With climate change resulting in more frequent and intense storms, he has championed and implemented programs that reduce flooding, decrease pollution, and improve the quality of life in local communities.
Following the announcement, Ms. Prost issued this statement.
“Success of the federal/state Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint hinges on states and local governments meeting their pollution-reduction goals.
“Adam Ortiz well understands the challenges local jurisdictions are facing and has demonstrated success in putting local pollution-reduction plans into action. For those reasons, Mr. Ortiz is an excellent choice for EPA Region III Administrator.
“This is a critical moment for EPA and the Chesapeake Bay. While most jurisdictions have plans to achieve their pollution-reduction goals, Pennsylvania does not. Mr. Ortiz must use his experience and creativity to turn plans into action by marshalling the federal resources needed while also using EPA’s authorities to hold them accountable. He must also help to restore the transparency necessary to determine where jurisdictions are succeeding, as well as where they are falling short.
“The success of the saving the Bay, what could be one of the world’s greatest environmental success stories, hangs in the balance. We look forward to working with Mr. Ortiz to finish the job.”
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Washington, D.C. Communications & Media Relations Manager, CBF
[email protected]
202-793-4485
