Eliza Smith Steinmeier has been policing polluters of the Patapsco River aggressively for about a year with the Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper. She spoke with The Examiner about why the Harbor, which includes the Inner Harbor and the middle branch of the Patapsco in Baltimore City, needs her.
Why did you start the Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper?
I am an environmental lawyer by trade, and I was born and raised in Baltimore and then went to the West Coast for about 10 years.
I was representing waterkeepers against polluters [in California].
When I left California and came to Baltimore, it was a no-brainer to start a waterkeeper.
There was a Patapsco Riverkeeper … based out of Ellicott City, and it didn?t get much attention in Baltimore.
When it folded [in 2005 or 2006], there was no one protecting the Patapsco.
Most people don?t relate to the Patapsco River. They don?t realize the Harbor is the Patapsco and that the Patapsco drains into the Chesapeake Bay.
Why is a waterkeeper needed when so many other environmental groups exist?
Waterkeepers are different. We are known for using the law. We are basically in the business of busting polluters.
When I moved, there was an environmental void with regards to river protection. We are looking at the legal and regulatory mechanisms of fighting pollution.
What are the biggest problems facing the harbor?
Urban storm-water pollution and sewage are among the biggest, but we have a lot of industry on our river.
There are so few enforcement officials in the Maryland Department of the Environment, so it?s a giant unknown [about] the level of industrial pollution in this river.
They do not have the resources to go through with a fine-toothed comb to make sure there is full compliance.
Have you seen any progress?
It?s too soon to say, but … we are certainly making waves with regards to looking at these really important [construction and industrial] permits.
The MDE is listening. We have their ear, and with diligent work over the next year or so, we will see improvements with those permits.
