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Take Action for Clean Water in Morgan Creek

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On October 1, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) will hold a public hearing on the discharge permit for Eastman Specialties Corporation, located on Morgan Creek in Chestertown. This permit regulates what pollution the company is allowed to release into our waterways, and it is now up for renewal.

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, and ShoreRivers’ monitoring shows that Morgan Creek consistently records the lowest-performing bacteria site in the Chester River, year after year. 

ShoreRivers also collected samples from Morgan Creek in partnership with Waterkeeper Alliance as part of nation-wide testing for PFAS. A group of human-made “forever chemicals,” PFAS don’t break down easily in the environment and can build up in our bodies over time. These chemicals are linked to health risks such as cancer, liver damage, and developmental issues, making their presence in local waters a serious concern. Out of eight sites tested within ShoreRivers’ watershed, five showed troubling results — including Morgan Creek.

how can i get involved?

These collective findings are a reminder that protecting our rivers and creeks isn’t just about clean water for recreation and wildlife — it’s also about safeguarding the health of our communities. As Eastman Specialties seeks to renew their permit, ShoreRivers is urging MDE to strengthen the permit’s terms by:

  • Requiring a compliance schedule that addresses Eastman’s repeated violations. Eastman has a history of significant noncompliance with its permit, according to ECHO (Enforcement and Compliance History Online, a database and tool managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). In Maryland, “significant non-compliance” means that a permit holder — such as a facility or business that holds a discharge permit — is seriously violating the terms of that permit. This could include repeatedly failing to meet pollution limits, not reporting required monitoring data, or ignoring rules meant to protect water quality. 

  • Mandating a stronger Quality Assurance/Quality Control plan to ensure operators are trained and reporting accurately. When a facility is in significant non-compliance, it signals a major problem that can harm our waterways and communities, and it usually requires stronger enforcement action and oversight from the state.

  • Adding mandatory surface and groundwater testing for PFAS. PFAS have already been found at concerning levels in Morgan Creek, and while those PFAS levels may not have a confirmed connection to Eastman’s discharge effluent, the Eastman facility is included on an EPA list for likely PFAS dischargers. Eastman's current permit does not currently include PFAS monitoring and therefore the state must address this discrepancy through the collection of samples.

  • Providing transparent details on groundwater monitoring and sludge disposal. These are the most common ways for PFAS to accumulate in our environment and in our bodies over time. 

The upcoming public hearing is an opportunity for our community to stand up for clean water. It will be held on Tuesday, October 1, at 5pm. at the Kent County Public Library in Chestertown. I encourage my neighbors to attend and share their voices. Protecting Morgan Creek and the Chester River is about safeguarding the waterways that sustain our health, our heritage, and our way of life.

For Clean Water,
Annie Richards, Chester Riverkeeper