Secretary Franks Brings Maryland’s Bay Restoration Messages To Japan

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ANNAPOLIS — Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary C. Ronald Franks last week addressed an international audience in Tokyo, highlighting Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.’s Chesapeake Bay Restoration initiatives.

Secretary Franks was the only guest lecturer invited from the United States to attend the International Forum on Waterfront and Watershed Restoration, which was held to introduce case studies of environmental restoration projects from around the world. The forum promoted the international exchange of ideas related to river and watershed restoration. He addressed the forum’s 300 participants, discussing in detail Maryland’s efforts in oyster and bay grass restoration, and the reduction of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.

Once the forum closed, Secretary Franks also had the opportunity to present the same topic to 50 students, academic staff and government representatives at Nagoya University in Tokyo.

“My visit abroad helped further identify Maryland’s role as an international leader in ecosystem restoration, such as the efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay,” Secretary Franks said. “After my interaction with leaders of South Korea, China, Singapore, U.K., the Netherlands and Japan, I’m more confident than ever that we are acting responsibly to make policy decisions and changes that will have a substantive effect towards the Ehrlich Administration’s restoration goals.”

This unique opportunity for Secretary Franks came at no cost to the State as all expenses were paid by the Forum sponsor, the Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration.

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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov