In response to environmental and other emer-
gencies, the Program coordinates planning and
action by local, State and federal governments in
cooperation with the private sector. Four divisions
carry out Program responsibilities: Emergency Op-
erations, Multi-Media Analysis, Natural Hazard
Mitigation and Emergency Planning, and Nuclear
Emergency.

ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT
PROGRAM
Mary Jo Garreis, Administrator
(410) 631-3618

The Environmental Risk Assessment Program
started in 1985 as the Division of Standards and
Certification within the Water Management Ad-
ministration. In 1990, it was renamed the Water
Quality Program; in 1991, the Water Quality Op-
eration Program; and, in 1992, the Standards and
Shellfish Sanitation Program. The Program re-
gained its former name, the Water Quality Pro-
gram, in 1992. It was transferred to the Technical
and Regulatory Services Administration in 1995 as
the Environmental Risk Assessment Program.

The Program protects public health by certify-
ing the quality of water for the safe harvest of
oysters and clams and establishing water quality
standards for State waters. The Program monitors
shellfish and fish tissues for contaminants, and stud-
ies water quality. To evaluate and reduce whole
effluent toxicity, the Program oversees tests at mu-
nicipal and industrial facilities and develops and
promulgates regulations to protect the quality of
surface and ground water. The Program operates
through three divisions: Biomonitoring, Shellfish
Certification, and Toxics Assessment.

FIELD OPERATIONS PROGRAM
Morris L. Hennessey, Administrator
(410) 974-3238

The Field Operations Program began as the
Water Quality Monitoring Program. Under the
Water Management Administration, it was restruc-
tured in 1990 and became part of the Chesapeake
Bay and Watershed Management Administration in
1992. In 1994, it was renamed the Monitoring
Program. As the Field Operations Program, it
transferred to the Technical and Regulatory Serv-
ices Administration in 1995.

The Program provides field support, on-site
observations, water quality assessments, and data
for the Water Management Administration and
other Department units. The Program has two
divisions: Compliance Monitoring, and Special In-
vestigations and Site Assessment.

WASTE MANAGEMENT
ADMINISTRATION

Richard W. Collins, Director
Robin D. Grove, Deputy Director

2500 Broening Highway
Baltimore, MD 21224 (410) 631-3304

Functions of the Waste Management Admini-
stration originated in 1912 with the Bureau of
Sanitary Engineering in the Department of Health.
In 1951, the Bureau became the Division of Sani-
tary Engineering under the Department's Bureau
of Environmental Hygiene. Certain functions of
the Division in 1966 were assigned to the Division
of Solid Waste Disposal under the Bureau of Re-
sources Protection. As the Division of Solid Wastes,
the Division was placed under the Environmental
Health Administration, when the Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene was formed in 1969.
The Division was renamed the Division of Solid
Waste Control by 1973 and assigned to Commu-
nity Health Programs by 1977. Also under the
Environmental Health Administration by 1977 was
the Toxic Substances Control Program. Elements
of these programs were combined by 1980 as the
Waste Management and Enforcement Program of
the Environmental Health Administration. The
Program was reorganized as the Waste Manage-
ment Administration by 1982, became part of the
Department of the Environment in 1987, and was
renamed the Hazardous and Solid Waste Manage-
ment Administration in 1988 (Chapter 306, Acts
of 1987). It received its current name in 1992.
The Waste Management Administration pro-
vides for the safe collection and disposal of solid
wastes. It regulates and inspects industrial facilities
that treat wastewater, and controls the transport,
storage, and disposal of hazardous substances.
Industrial wastes and designated hazardous sub-
stances may not be discharged or disposed of with-
out a permit from the Waste Management
Administration. The Administration conducts in-
spections to assure compliance with the conditions
of permits, certifications, and licenses that have
been issued and investigates reported water and
pollution violations. Under the federal Resource
Conservation and Recovery Planning Act of 1976,
it is the State agency designated to regulate hazard
ous substances (P.L. 94-580). The Recycling Serv-
ices Division within the Solid Waste Program leads
State recycling initiatives.
Under the Administration are five programs:
Environmental Restoration and Redevelopment,
Hazardous Waste, Oil Control, Regulatory and
Technical Assistance, and Solid Waste.