The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "Maryland department of Environment" ...
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Dangerous Dams
There are several "high hazard" dams in Maryland which the state Department of the Environment considers unsafe and a threat to public safety. Some of these dams are in imminent danger of failing. A "high hazard" dam indicates that a collapse would cause loss of life and damage to residential, industrial or agricultural areas, public utilities and infrastructure. The story detailed lax enforcement of rules and regulations when a dam owner is told by state inspectors to fix problems.
Tags: Dams; safety; breach; unsafe; high hazard
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Choke Points
This story takes a look at Maryland's air pollution problems. The article confirms that most of the pollution comes from the fuel emissions from motor vehicles, particularly SUV's. it also looks at one of the most polluting power plant in the country, the Muskingum River Plant and profiles the surrounding area.
Tags: Muskingum River Plant; air pollution; fuel emissions; Sports Utility Vehicle; Maryland Department of Environment.
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Effluent Escalation
This story that started out as a class project to collect data unveiled an aging sewage system in the state of Maryland. The raw sewage grew by almost 1250 percent in 2003. The computer assisted investigation also revealed several small errors in the data collected by the Department of environment.
Tags: State government; Maryland; sewage overflow; Department of Environment
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Always Awash
In many Maryland counties, properties that get flooded are rebuilt often at the taxpayer's expense. FEMA is working on the repetitive flood losses. As this report reveals this rebuilding is mainly because the flood maps have not been updated recently.
Tags: Federal Emergency Management Agency; Hurricane Isabel; Maryland counties; National Flood Insurance; Maryland department of Environment
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Ruth Ann Norton's Second Act
Ruth Ann Norton, executive director of The Coalition, is on a life time crusade to prevent lead poisoning in children. This silent killer has "been used by humans for more than 5,000 years to strengthen metal and to pigment everything from makeup to paint." However, when examining its effects, "children, including those exposed in utero, are more vulnerable to lead poisoning than adults because their systems absorb the element more readily. Once lead has affected the brain, the damage is irreversible." Norton, now with a budget of $2.6 million demands to examine the conditions of older homes and prevent lead hazards. But prior to The Coalition, Norton had other endeavors to assess. "Fourteen years ago, Norton made a series of what she now terms 'bad judgements' that led to 18 months in prison for wire fraud, wrecking her promising investment-management career along the way. The Coalition, she says, gave her a chance to redeem herself. She's not about to let it down."
Tags: lead poisoning; The Coalition; children; Maryland Department of the Environment; landlords; housing regulations