Advocacy

WYPR’s John Lee and Baltimore Sun’s Natalie Jones Cover Baltimore County Councilman Pat Young’s Proposed Data Center Moratorium

On January 5th, 2026 Baltimore County Councilman Pat Young proposed Bill 3-26 which would put a one-year freeze on data center construction in Baltimore County in response to residents’ concerns over a proposed 42-acre, 150-megawatt data center in Woodlawn. According to John Lee’s article in WYPR, The Catonsville Democrat’s legislation, which he introduced Monday night, …

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Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® Submits Public Comment on Proposed Revisions to Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act.

A proposed rule by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on November 21, 2025 seeks to revise portions of section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Section 4 describes the process in which a species is determined to be “threatened” or “endangered” under the guidelines of the of the Endangered …

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Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States” Public Comment Period Open: Please Comment on WOTUS by January 5, 2026

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released updated definitions for what constitutes Waters of the United States (WOTUS) on November 17th, 2025. The comment period on the proposed definition change ends January 5th, 2026. Updated language reduces the scope of federal jurisdiction over Clean Water Act permitting by defining terms like “relatively permanent,” “continuous surface …

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Waters of the United States (WOTUS) 2025 Definition Update

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released updated definitions for what constitutes Waters of the United States (WOTUS) on November 17th, 2025. Updated language reduces the scope of federal jurisdiction over Clean Water Act permitting by defining terms like “relatively permanent,” “continuous surface connection,” and “tributary” to reduce protections for seasonal or intermittent waterways. From …

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Update: Maryland’s 20-SW-A Stormwater Discharge Permit

In 2022, Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® joined Blue Water Baltimore and others in filing suit against the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), arguing that the state’s General Permit for industrial stormwater discharges failed to adequately protect water quality. As a result of this advocacy, MDE voluntarily withdrew the permit to allow for additional public input. However, after a lengthy …

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