A listing of Earth Day-related events in The Sun yesterday stated incorrectly that the Earth Science Fair at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt would be open Friday.
In fact, the fair is open to the public only on Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
+ The Sun regrets the errors.
Seizing on the 23rd observance of Earth Day, federal, state and local officials announced a series of steps yesterday aimed at cleaning up Baltimore, including a new study of the health and environmental risks faced by urban residents.
But the announcement struck a sour note with some environmentalists, who accused government officials of dodging their responsibilities to crack down on pollution.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it has chosen Baltimore and Washington, D.C., to launch a new program aimed at identifying and reducing the public health and environmental hazards to which city dwellers may be exposed.
The EPA plans to spend $400,000 in the next year to assess the risks for the cities' residents, officials said.
Future funding and actions will depend on what those studies reveal.
"We are beginning to recognize that the environment doesn't just mean open spaces," said Edwin B. Erickson, EPA's regional administrator.
The top hazards faced by city dwellers may be poisoning from lead-based paint or pollution from automobiles, he said, but studies also may point to more traditional health issues such as cigarette smoking and diet as the biggest threats to the quality of life of urban dwellers.
EPA officials said the new program would be more comprehensive and detailed than a similar EPA-funded study of environmental hazards in the Baltimore area performed in the late 1980s.
That effort focused on indoor air pollution and the harbor, among other things.
Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke also used yesterday's event, featuring children planting dogwoods and wildflowers at Lyndhurst Elementary School in West Baltimore, to unveil his second annual list of environmental "initiatives" for the city.
The plans include cleaning up buildings contaminated with asbestos and other hazardous materials, removing leaking underground fuel tanks and reducing emissions from the city's fleet of cars and trucks by buying cleaner vehicles.
Most of the actions on the mayor's list are intended to comply with federal and state requirements, acknowledged Mary Dolan, environmental planner.
But she said the city is preparing a forest conservation plan that will go beyond what state law now requires in preserving remaining wooded areas and in planting new ones.
"I think it's great they're concerned about these issues," said Dan L. Jerrems, president of the Baltimore Recycling Coalition, which is supporting a five-year moratorium on building new garbage incinerators in the city. "But I'd like to see him put his money where his mouth is."
David Monsma, a spokesman for the Environmental Action Foundation in Takoma Park, called the EPA plan "another deliberately ill-fated study" intended to "lay the cost and blame for urban pollution on city inhabitants."
The foundation is giving "poisoned planet" awards today in Baltimore, including one to Willard Hackerman, the owner of the Pulaski incinerator, which has been cited repeatedly recently for air and water pollution violations.
TTC Mr. Hackerman wants the city to approve a new waste-to-energy plant to replace the Pulaski burner.
But the environmental group is giving praise to City Councilmen John Cain and Perry Sfikas, sponsors of the incinerator ban bill, which the Schmoke administration opposes.
Earth awareness events
TODAY
Maryland Mass Transit Administration distributes pine seedlings at Metro stops and MARC train stations. Maryland Transportation Authority plants trees and flowers along John F. Kennedy Highway. For information, call Rebecca Reid, 859-7300.
Students Acting for the Environment (SAFE) hold an Earth Day program at Towson State University featuring music, speakers and information booths from 4 to 11 p.m. For information, call 830-2256, or Dave Frieman at 655-3598.
Department of the Army celebrates Earth Day at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call Save Our Streams, 969-0084.
Anne Arundel Community College holds Earth Day Festival, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call Frank Alduino at 541-2430.
TOMORROW
Towson Gardens has an environmental exhibit, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Towson. Call Betty Myers, 631-3001.
FRIDAY
Maryland Department of the Environment gives "Together We Can Clean Up Awards" at 10 a.m. at Mount Clare Stable in Baltimore County. Call Betty Myers, 631-3001.
Seedling giveaway takes place at Annapolis Mall. Call Steve Stadelman at 768-0830.
Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt holds "Earth Science Fair" showcasing research by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on the ozone hole, Kuwaiti oil fires, the greenhouse effect and other subjects. The fair will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Building 8 Auditorium. For information, call Susie Marucci, (301) 286-7504.
SATURDAY
Free seedlings will be given at the Susquehannock Recycling Center in Harford County from noon to 5 p.m. Call Clifton Dowling at 879-2000.
Piney Run Nature Center in Carroll County holds an Earth Day festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call Melinda Byrd at 301-795-6043.
Tree plantings will take place at Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary, Prince George's County. Call Lorena Hiep at (301) 925-5980.
Tree plantings will be made at low-income homes in Calvert County. Call Vivian Marsh at (301) 870-2520.
Save Our Streams will sponsor stream cleanups of Lynch Point Cove, Bear Creek, and Jones Creek in Baltimore County. Call 969-0084.
State Highway Administration sponsors statewide cleanup of selected highways, through adopt-a-highway groups. Call 333-1122 for information.
A tour of North Point State Park, also known as Black Marsh, will be sponsored by Students Acting for the Environment of Towson State University. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the park gate. Call SAFE at 830-2256 or Dave Frieman at 655-3598.
SUNDAY
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt opens to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering information about Goddard and its role in the space program. Also featured will be the Earth Science Fair offered on April 24.
Adopt-A-Stream" Workshop, will be held from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m., Frederick Community College, Frederick. Call Save Our Streams (410) 969-0084.
Earth Day Festival will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Cambridge South High School, Dorchester County. Call Cyndi Slacum at (301) 228-3733.
Trees will be planted at Quiet Waters Park and seedlings will be given away at Anne Arundel Farmers Market. Call Steve Stadelman at (410) 768-0830.
Earth Day celebration will be held from noon to 4 p.m., Lillian Holt Park, Baltimore County. Call Save Our Streams at (410) 969-0084.
APRIL 29
Bird walk will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Irvine Natural Science Center, Baltimore County. There is no fee but make reservations by April 28. Call the center, 484-2413.