Take Action for Clean Water in Morgan Creek!
Maryland Department of the Environment
Morgan Creek is a treasured waterway for many in our community, providing a place for boating, fishing, and enjoying nature. Unfortunately, it also suffers from significant nutrient impairments from stormwater runoff, outdated septic systems, and shoreline erosion — and contains concerning levels of PFAS “forever chemicals” according to testing done in partnership with Waterkeeper Alliance in 2023. ShoreRivers’ monitoring also shows that Morgan Creek consistently records the lowest-performing bacteria site in the Chester River, year after year.
Eastman Specialties’ discharge permit allows for the facility to contribute nutrients and solids to an already impaired waterbody and chemicals that, when not properly regulated, pose significant threats to the riverine ecosystems and our communities’ health.
Please help us tell the Maryland Department of the Environment that the Chester River and Morgan Creek deserve better. When companies discharge pollution into our waterways, the community has a right to demand accountability, to ensure that our waterways and our groundwater are protected for us now and in the future. Together, we can ensure the Chester River, and its tributaries, get the protections they deserve.
Please note: Your signature on this petition signals support for high level comments, as listed in the letter below. ShoreRivers is working to build specific and detailed comments, in partnership with Chesapeake Legal Alliance, to send in conjunction with this letter no later than October 6, 2025.
Sponsored by
To:
Maryland Department of the Environment
From:
[Your Name]
We, the undersigned community members, join ShoreRivers in calling for stronger protections in the renewal of Eastman Specialties Corporation’s state discharge permit (25DP0014 / NPDES Permit MD0000345). Eastman operates a facility on Morgan Creek in Chestertown, a treasured tributary of the Chester River that already suffers from serious nutrient impairments and consistently records some of the poorest bacteria results in our watershed.
Unfortunately, Eastman has a documented history of significant non-compliance — exceeding pollution limits and failing to report its discharges on time. This pattern of violations raises major concerns about the company’s ability to operate responsibly without stronger oversight.
We urge MDE to strengthen this permit by requiring:
• A clear compliance schedule to address Eastman’s history of violations,
• A more rigorous Quality Assurance/Quality Control plan to ensure accurate monitoring and reporting,
• Transparent details and oversight of groundwater monitoring and sludge disposal, and
• Mandatory PFAS monitoring and disclosure, since Morgan Creek already shows elevated PFAS levels and Eastman’s industry is listed as a likely PFAS discharger by the EPA.
The Chester River is central to our community’s health, economy, and quality of life. Morgan Creek deserves meaningful protections, and we believe this permit renewal is a vital opportunity for MDE to hold Eastman accountable and ensure cleaner water for future generations.