Pass the Maryland Environmental Policy Act MEPA@50 Resolution

Senate President Bill Ferguson, Speaker Adrienne Jones and the Honorable Members of the Maryland General Assembly

In 1973, the Maryland legislature passed the Maryland Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) which unequivocally recognizes "each person's fundamental and inalienable right to a healthful environment." This policy has been part of Maryland’s codes for 50 years, yet it has been largely ignored.

2023 is the 50th anniversary of the passing of this foundational environmental legislation.

It is  time to recommit to its principles.

We know there is a pivotal connection between the health of our natural resources, including our air, water, and land, and the health of the people and the economy of Maryland.  

The Maryland Environmental Policy Act - MEPA@50 Resolution celebrates the reasons why this policy was enacted in the 1970's and encourages the community of state leaders, state agencies, and all concerned stakeholders to recommit to the principles outlined in this policy.

Our goals in 2023 are:

  • To recognize the 50th anniversary of MEPA (Maryland Environmental Policy Act)
  • To reaffirm the General Assembly’s commitment to environmental human rights
  • To promote the full implementation of MEPA

Sign this petition and join with Marylanders across this state to ask our legislators to reaffirm the values in MEPA and urge its implementation to protect each person's right to a healthful environment.

To: Senate President Bill Ferguson, Speaker Adrienne Jones and the Honorable Members of the Maryland General Assembly
From: [Your Name]

We, the people of Maryland, ask the Maryland General Assembly to reaffirm the values and purpose of the Maryland Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), and urge its full implementation on this, its fiftieth anniversary.

Whereas we recognize the singular natural beauty of our State, the quiet grandeur of the Chesapeake Bay, the majesty of the Appalachians, the verdant lands of the Piedmont, and the abundant gifts of the coastal plain of the Eastern Shore; and

Whereas, we recognize that all living things are dependent upon a healthful environment; and

Whereas, we recognize that the full expression of human dignity is incompatible with a degraded environment; and

Whereas, we recognize that a sustainable, regenerative ecosystem and climate conducive to human life are essential to support a vibrant society and economy; and

Whereas, we - like our ancestors before us - are the guardians of the earth for generations yet to come; and

Whereas 2023 is the fiftieth anniversary of the Maryland Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) which passed unanimously (minus one) in the House and Senate in 1973; and

Whereas MEPA recognizes that each person has a fundamental and inalienable right to a healthful environment; and

Whereas MEPA states that “the protection, preservation, and enhancement of the State’s diverse environment is necessary for the maintenance of public health and welfare and the continued viability of the economy of the State and is a matter of the highest public priority”; and

Whereas MEPA states that all State agencies are to conduct their affairs with an awareness that they are stewards of the air, land, water, living and historic resources, and that they have an obligation to protect the environment for the use and enjoyment of this and all future generations; and

Whereas a significant number of States, along with one-hundred and sixty-one nations of the global community, including the United States, have recognized the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment;

Therefore, we, the members of the 2023 Maryland General Assembly, hereby reaffirm the principle established in the Maryland Environmental Policy Act of 1973 that a healthful and sustainable environment is a fundamental and inalienable human right and call upon the State to rededicate itself, its agencies, and all concerned stakeholders to further the development and implementation of environmental laws, practices and policies, as called for by the Maryland Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), for the benefit of both current and future generations.