Mfume Objects to Contaminated Water Move to Maryland

Congressman Mfume Calls on EPA to Rescind Its Approval of Plan to Send Contaminated Water from Ohio to Baltimore

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07) requested Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan to immediately rescind the EPA approval of Norfolk Southern Railway’s decision to send contaminated water from its train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio to Baltimore, Maryland. In the letter, Congressman Mfume outlined concerns about inadequate notice of the decision, environmental justice considerations, and the inherently dangerous process that could affect thousands of his constituents.

“Just as you cannot un-ring a bell, you cannot undo the level of danger that would arise for residents in the Greater Baltimore Area and the Chesapeake Bay from the mismanagement of this process. I remain extremely concerned that up to 2 million gallons of contaminated water from Norfolk Southern will overly burden the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant given its well-documented failures,” said Congressman Mfume.

Full text of the letter can be viewed below.

March 27, 2023

Michael S. Regan
Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460

Re: Contaminated Water Being Shipped to Baltimore

Dear Administrator Regan:

I respectfully write to request that the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) immediately rescind its approval of Norfolk Southern Railway’s decision to deliver up to 2 million gallons of contaminated water from its toxic waste site in East Palestine, Ohio to Baltimore, Maryland.

I have the privilege of representing in Congress the communities most impacted by this negative decision. As such, I have strong concerns about the lack of notice I received regarding Norfolk Southern’s plan as well as the hasty effort to provide notice and updates.

In addition, I remain extremely concerned that up to 2 million gallons of contaminated water from Norfolk Southern will overly burden the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant given its well-documented failures. Just as you cannot un-ring a bell, you cannot undo the level of danger that would arise for residents in the Greater Baltimore Area and the Chesapeake Bay from the mismanagement of this process.

As you know, many of the communities most affected by Norfolk Southern’s decision are of color or working class. These are the communities that too often bear the brunt of America’s environmental burdens. Baltimore has already struggled with multiple water crises over just the last year, and the Chesapeake Bay’s sustainability remains a primary environmental and public health concern.

I would appreciate your immediate consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,
Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07)