The extensive public involvement in addressing the oil spill has included participation by Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO), which was one of the parties responsible for the spill. The company—

• Established three outreach centers immediately following the spill; trustee information is available at each center.
• Published a community guide detailing cleanup and natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) efforts.
• Worked with trustees and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and mail 5 issues of a newsletter Swanson Creek Bulletin to 27,000 residents over a 2-year period. The newsletters informed citizens of cleanup and NRDA activities.

Key Meetings and Activities

June 2004

• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its cotrustees establish an oyster sanctuary and seed 10 million oysters. At the oyster seeding event, Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer and NOAA General Counsel Jim Walpole celebrate with other dignitaries, and NOAA recognizes PEPCO for its leadership role in the natural resource damage assessment.

December 2002

• Congressman Steny Hoyer hosts a trustee restoration celebration at Greenwell State Park. Approximately 150 guests attend, including local and national media.

March 2002

• Governor's Patuxent River Oil Spill Citizens Advisory Committee reviews and discusses draft potential restoration alternatives for injuries to birds.

November 2001

• Governor's Patuxent River Oil Spill Citizens Advisory Committee reviews and discusses potential restoration alternatives.

August 2001

• Community meeting in Prince Frederick, Calvert County.
• Governor's Patuxent River Oil Spill Citizens Advisory Committee reviews trustee work on injuries to birds.

July 2001

• Community meeting in Mechanicsville, St. Mary's County.

April 2001

• Trustees ask governor's Patuxent River Oil Spill Citizens Advisory Committee to review lost use study and suggest ideas for potential restoration projects.

January 2001

• Swanson Creek Bulletin distributed to more than 26,000 local residents.
• Community meeting in Benedict, Charles County.
• Trustee testimony before Maryland House Committee on Environmental Matters.

December 2000

• Third meeting of governor's Patuxent River Oil Spill Citizens Advisory Committee.
• Workshop for local scientific community about NRDA activities.

November 2000

• Second meeting of governor's Patuxent River Oil Spill Citizens Advisory Committee.

October 2000

• Trustee testimony before Maryland Senate Economic and Environmental Affairs Committee.

September 2000

• Swanson Creek Bulletin distributed to more than 26,000 local residents.
• Community meeting at Calvert County Fairgrounds.
• First meeting of governor's Patuxent River Oil Spill Citizens Advisory Committee.

July 2000

• Swanson Creek Bulletin distributed to more than 26,000 local residents.
• Community meeting in Mechanicsville, St. Mary's County.
• Governor Parris Glendening establishes the Patuxent River Oil Spill Citizens Advisory Committee.

June 2000

• Trustees participate in "Taste of the Patuxent" and a community meeting in Benedict, Charles County.

May 2000

• Swanson Creek Marsh Response and Restoration Community Guide distributed to more than 26,000 residents.
• Community meetings in Benedict, Charles County ; Mechanicsville, St. Mary's County; and Avenue, St. Mary's County.

April 2000

• Three community meetings in Benedict, Charles County.
• Two community meetings in Mechanicsville, St. Mary's County.
• Community meetings in Baden, Prince George's County; Prince Frederick, Calvert County; Broomes Island, Calvert County, and at Calvert County Fairgrounds.