Thanks to the hard work of the City of Laurel and its Environmental Affairs Committee, the City of Laurel was recertified as a Sustainable Maryland Certified City in 2021.

 

Mission Statement

The Environmental Affairs Committee (EAC) will focus attention and effort, within the City, on conserving the City of Laurel's natural resources, including land, air, water, and open space, which is a significant responsibility of local government.  In order to sustain the City of Laurels’ character and quality of life, the EAC  will require focused and sustained citizen participation and action.  The goal is to achieve lasting improvements to the quality of the environment and natural resources while encouraging healthy economic progress in the area to insure a livable and sustainable community.

3-Year Action Plan

Year 1:

1. Support standing City committees in their sustainable actions – more specifically work with the Environmental Programs Manager on the development of the City’s Sustainability Plan.

2. In collaboration with Sustainable Maryland Certified, develop a Sustainable Maryland  resource center for the town.

3. Actively promote Laurel’s “Let’s Move City” logo.

4. Actively promote the City’s existing pet waste program and work with other City groups (i.e., Arts Council, Laurel for the Patuxent, HOA’s) to develop signage and enforcement.  

5. Actively promote and support the Mayor and City Council’s plastic straw ban and plastic bag ban.  

6. Actively seek new members for the Environmental Affairs Committee – restructure the committee to focus on smaller, more manageable subcommittees – such as composting education, native plant growth, community gardens, environmental messaging, pesticide free city-owned parks and fields.

7. Actively support and promote the Tip It or Toss It mosquito control campaign.

8. Actively participate in contributing to the City’s Green Living landing page. 

Year 2:

1. Continue to work with and support City committees in their sustainable actions as outlined in Year 1.

2. Actively seek new members for the Environmental Affairs Committee – restructure the committee to focus on smaller more manageable subcommittees – such as composting education, native plant growth, community gardens, environmental messaging, pesticide free city-owned parks and fields.

3. Promote local food and new Main Street Farmer’s Market.

4. Work with the Environmental Programs Manager and Arts Council on BigBelly messaging.

5. Actively support and promote the single-use plastic bag ban Ordinance.

6. Actively support and promote the One and Done refuse/recycling/composting program city-wide.

7. Support and promote “Walkable Laurel” initiatives in collaboration with the City Administration and the Transportation and Public Safety Committee.

8. Work with the Department of Economic and Community Development to encourage new construction projects to incorporate Green components in new developments, such as rain gardens, increased green space, BigBelly solar refuse/recycling containers, curbside food waste collection, etc.  

9. Work with Administration on revising and updating a Green Purchasing Policy.

Year 3:

1. Review the status of Year 1 and Year 2 Actions.

2. Develop a vision for the next three years.

3. Continue to work with, and support, City committees in their sustainable actions as outlined in Year 1 and Year 2.

4. Continue to actively seek new members for the Environmental Affairs Committee – restructure the committee to focus on smaller more manageable subcommittees – such as composting education, native plant growth, community gardens, environmental messaging, pesticide free city-owned parks and fields.

5. Continue to support and promote “Walkable Laurel” initiatives in collaboration with the City Administration and the Transportation and Public Safety Committee.

6. Continue to work with the Department of Economic and Community Development to encourage new construction projects to incorporate Green components in new developments, such as rain gardens, increased green space, BigBelly solar refuse/recycling containers, curbside food waste collection, etc.  

History

The City of Laurel Environmental Affairs Committee was created and established by Resolution No. 10-3, passed by the Mayor and City Council on July 28, 2003. The Committee is made up of seven (7) members; (1) Council Member; the committee shall be made up of City Residents, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. You can read the resolution in the link below: 

Authority

The committee shall protect and improve the health and welfare of the City’s environment. They shall coordinate and advise the Mayor and City Council, City Departments and other businesses and organizations of environmental issues in an around the City; identify specific areas that may need improvement; organize and provide educational programs for the business community and members of the general public, and recognize those in the community that are making improvements in the environment.

Meetings

The committee meets at the Laurel Municipal Center, 8103 Sandy Spring Road, Laurel, Maryland, bi-monthly or at any other time as set by the Chairperson and as necessary. For information regarding agendas or related information, call Laura Christoplos at 301-725-5300, x2242.