Local creeks going on 'dirty waters' list

The state wants to add portions of several county waterways to the list of the nation's "dirty waters."

Parts of the Severn, South, West and Rhode rivers and Parker Creek are among 145 waterways the Maryland Department of the Environment proposes adding to the Impaired Surface Waters list, which is sent to federal officials every two years as part of the Clean Water Act.

The list helps MDE as it forms strategies for cleaning up the state's waters.

State officials said a waterway is not automatically considered unsafe for fishing, swimming or boating if it is added to the list. The state said many of this year's new...