Environmental Groups React to BPW Action on Days Cove Rubble Landfill Lease Extension that Indicates State Agencies Will Engage the Community on Next Steps.
Contact:
Lindsay Crone, Gunpowder Valley Conservancy, lcrone@gunpowdervc.org
Theaux Le Gardeur, Gunpowder Riverkeeper, gunpowderriverkeeper@gmail.com
Baltimore County, MD —January 12, 2026
Based on community and environmental concerns regarding Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) permitting and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) lease on State Park Lands for operations at the Days Cove Rubble Landfill, a group of community and environmental organizations representing the Gunpowder watershed region engaged with the Maryland Board of Public Works (BPW) in December and January.
On January 6, 2026, the groups submitted a formal letter to the Board of Public Works outlining community concerns related to Agenda Item 53-LL, the proposed landlord lease between DNR and Days Cove Reclamation for approximately 113.76 acres of state parkland in White Marsh. The letter builds on significant public engagement for the December 17th agenda item which resulted in an earlier version of the lease (63-LL) being withdrawn from consideration following the submission of more than 200 public comments and 35 pages of emails.
The undersigned expressed appreciation for the Office of the Comptroller’s decision to solicit public input and for BPW’s continued attention to the matter. The groups, made up of Gunpowder Valley Conservancy, Gunpowder Riverkeeper, Mad About Mud, and Sierra Club Greater Baltimore Group emphasized the importance of interagency coordination, transparency, and clearly defined conditions to ensure current and future environmental protection and community safety and to provide public support to the agencies.
The Board of Public Works subsequently passed a resolution approving a five month lease that will allow “additional time for coordination and dialogue.” DNR has since confirmed that it will meet with the undersigned representatives in the coming weeks to further discuss community concerns and next steps, including coordination with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).
Read the full letter of concern here
“These discussions are about ensuring that all actions protect both the public interest and the long-term health of the Gunpowder watershed,” said Lindsay Crone, Executive Director, Gunpowder Valley Conservancy. “Our supporters have made it abundantly clear that they want to see a safe and timely closure of this landfill and are encouraged by the conversations we have had with DNR.”
“The Gunpowder and Bird Rivers are important tidal waterways which deserve to be fully protected for fishing, swimming, drinking water, recreation, and wildlife habitat,” said Theaux Le Gardeur, the Gunpowder Riverkeeper. “It is unfair for the state of Maryland to subject generations of Marylanders to water and land impacts from the Days Cove Rubble Landfill, when a clearer path that would have resulted in a quicker cleanup was and still is attainable.”
Kathy Martin, of Mad About Mud shared, “The Bird and Gunpowder waterfront communities of Baltimore and Harford counties, who formed Mad About Mud, are fully engaged to be actively at the table, focusing on the health of Days Cove area lands and waters.”
“We hope the short-term extension will better facilitate creating a clearly defined closing plan which is what the community and others are seeking.” said Marie LaPorte, Conservation Chair of the Greater Baltimore Group of the Sierra Club. “We’re grateful for the support both Baltimore and Harford County Councils have given on the Days Cove Rubble Landfill issue.”
The aligned groups emphasized that they are committed to constructive collaboration and appreciate the opportunity to engage directly with state agencies. The shared goal, they noted, is a responsible, transparent process that leads to the safe closure, mitigation, and eventual reclamation and maintenance of the site as protected public parkland within the shortest timeline.