Maryland County Local Government has received a high-level delegation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize arrangements, and survey land for the construction of an EPA County Office in Harper.
The delegation is headed by D. Carlton Wonsiah, EPA Assistant Director for Logistics, along with Fred Dehter, and technical staff of the Maryland County EPA Office.
The EPA team informed the locals that the proposed facility will be a fully equipped complex comprising two large conference rooms, administrative offices, and dedicated spaces for livelihood, and skills development programs targeting communities affected by coastal erosion, and sea defense projects.
Maryland County is one of four coastal counties selected for the construction of similar facilities under a national program to strengthen environmental protection, and build climate resilience along vulnerable coastline.
In his welcome remark, Superintendent Nathaniel Toe, Jr. pledged full cooperation to ensure that the project succeeds.
“Residents of Big Town have agreed, and made the land available. As local government, we are ready to collaborate with EPA for the successful implementation of the project.”
The land agreement was reached following joint consultations among the EPA, the Maryland County Local Government, and residents of Big Town community.
Once completed, the office is expected to serve as EPA’s operational hub in the southeast, supporting environmental monitoring, coastal defense initiatives, and community empowerment programs.
