Maryland Ad Hoc Committee

In the fall of 1973 petroleum industry and Maryland Water Resources Administration representatives began meeting on a regular basis to develop the State's oil spill control and cleanup program. Eventually the group expanded and became known as the Maryland Ad hoc Committee on Oil. The committee’s focus quickly moved beyond surface spills to containment and cleanup. By the early 1980s the Committee was reviewing regulations to control and prevent oil spills. Through the years the Committee has advised the state on such issues as planning for a spill response on the Chesapeake Bay, the proper handling of oil-contaminated soil/groundwater, motor fuel tax issues, and federal legislation affecting state oil spill responses. The Ad Hoc Committee on Oil is organized to provide a forum for State, federal, and local governments, oil industry, oil distributors, and contractors to meet, coordinate, and discuss issues pertaining to AST/UST systems, the prevention and control of oil spills, and other matters of interest pertaining to the handling of oil. The Committee also provides information to advise the MDE on national issues, regulations, and other matters of common interest. An average of 70 people attended each meeting and all meetings are open to the public. The committee meets approximately eight times during the year at the MDE offices to discuss and debate the latest in the safe and proper handling of fuel including waterborne aspects of oil pollution prevention and control.