FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2/27/25
Maryland’s Eastern Shore Betrayed: Public Funds Wasted, Communities Ignored, and Environmental Justice Violated
Governor Wes Moore, Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin M. Atticks, Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena C. McIlwain, Wicomico County Council, and members of the media,
We, as a coalition of concerned residents and environmental advocates, write to you with a collective outrage and profound disgust at the corruption, negligence, and environmental disaster unfolding in Wicomico County. At the center of this outrage is the project operated by International Biorefineries, LLC, 8665 Hickory Mill Rd. Salisbury MD 21801, led by Raj Kathuria, and the agencies that enabled him to exploit public funds and endanger our communities.
This is not the story of innovation or progress—it is a story of failed promises, deception, and environmental injustice. Over $3 million in taxpayer money has been funneled into a series of failed projects under the guise of "waste-to-energy" solutions. Kathuria’s first endeavor at 8128 Green Lewis Road in Willards, MD, funded through the Animal Waste Technology Fund, resulted in a trashed farm, abandoned equipment, and unresolved environmental hazards. Despite these failures, he was granted additional funding in 2020, only to abandon the site altogether.
Undeterred by his catastrophic track record, Kathuria shifted operations to 8665 Hickory Mill Road in Salisbury, MD (entrance on Adkins Rd). Here, in a densely populated residential area, Kathuria obtained permits under false pretenses, claiming the project was an “agricultural storage building” while concealing its industrial nature. Shockingly, these permits were issued months before he officially owned the property. This deceit not only violated local zoning laws but also betrayed the trust of a community already burdened by environmental and economic hardships.
The residents of the Canterbury HOA, Glastonbury Dr., and North West Road neighborhoods were given no notice of the toxic facility being constructed in their backyards. This area, identified by the Maryland Environmental Justice Screening Tool as highly vulnerable, suffers from alarming rates of asthma, heart disease, and exposure to particulate matter and other pollutants. The lack of transparency and accountability from the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) is not just a failure of governance; it is a gross violation of environmental justice.
The systemic failures surrounding this project demand immediate action:
• Operations at the Hickory Mill Road site must cease immediately.
• A moratorium must be placed on all waste-to-energy projects and on the disbursement of Animal Waste Technology Fund grants.
• An independent investigation must be launched to examine the collusion and regulatory failures within MDA and MDE, along with a full audit of the Animal Waste Technology Fund and its staff.
• Environmental remediation must begin immediately at both the Willards and Salisbury sites to mitigate the damage caused by these reckless endeavors.
This is not a singular instance of mismanagement; it is a pattern of negligence and abuse that undermines the health, safety, and trust of Maryland’s residents. The failure of MDE and MDA to enforce proper oversight, adhere to zoning laws, or protect vulnerable populations is unacceptable. The agencies meant to safeguard our environment, and communities have instead chosen to side with corporate interests, leaving Maryland’s most vulnerable residents to bear the burden of their inaction.
Governor Wes Moore, Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin M. Atticks, Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena C. McIlwain, we call on you to demonstrate leadership and integrity by addressing this disaster head-on. The people of Maryland deserve better than corruption and complacency.
To the press, we urge you to amplify this critical issue. Hold those in power accountable. Shine a light on the systemic injustices at play. Together, we must demand an end to this exploitation and ensure that Maryland’s Eastern Shore is protected for generations to come.
This is a call to action. Enough is enough.
Contacts:
Technical & Environmental:
• Maria Payan, Executive Director, Sentinels of Eastern Shore Health;
maria.a.payan@gmail.com
• Gabby Ross, Founder, Concerned Citizens Against Industrial CAFOS;
gabbycammarata@gmail.com
Environmental Justice:
• Monica Brooks, President, Wicomico NAACP; monica.nichelle@gmail.com
Local Resident:
• Families NOT Refineries, Matthew Olson; mholson5@gmail.com
