With over 11,000 miles of shoreline rimming the Chesapeake Bay and it's tributaries, Maryland offers more opportunities for waterfront living than any other state in the Union. Maryland has always been a choice destination for people who love living by the water and want to see it every day.

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, and provides a watershed for nearly 65,000 square miles that surround it. The Bay and it's feeding waters sustain and nurture a large and diverse ecosystem of which we are very much a part.

What this clearly illustrates is the importance of taking care of our waters, and how many of us have to play a significant role in keeping this most integral part of our environment healthy and clean. Though the waters of the Chesapeake are vast and powerful, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that they are also highly vulnerable to the devastating effects of pollution, erosion and runoff created by development and construction on their shores.

It doesn't take much effort on our part if we all become conscious of the small things that everyone can do in their daily lives to help improve and maintain the environment we all share.

To learn more about protecting the nation's water supplies, visit the Environmental Protection Agency's official website.

Greg's Marine is an advocate for Blue Water. Click here to read why litter is a key culprit in oceanic pollution, and what you can do to help in your own daily life..

To help Maryland as well as other states protect their waters Greg’s Marine Construction offers the following suggestions:

• Don't litter. Litter is a huge contributor to ocean pollution. Because street litter ends up in storm drains that eventually empty into rivers and streams, even someone who litters miles away from the ocean is likely contributing to ocean and river pollution.
• Properly dispose of potentially harmful fluids. Motor oil, antifreeze, coolant, and a host of other harmful fluids should never be dumped down storm drains. Used motor oil can be recycled, and other harmful fluids can be disposed of in environmentally friendly ways that won't negatively impact oceans and ocean life.
• Take care of your vehicles. Whether you own a car, boat or motorcycle, properly maintaining your vehicle or vehicles will save you money and help save the environment as well. Poorly maintained vehicles typically leak fluids, which eventually end up polluting the nation's oceans, lakes and rivers.
• Participate in community clean-up programs. Many seaside communities offer volunteer beach clean-up programs to keep their beaches clean and safe. By volunteering for such programs, you're not only doing your part, but you're also giving yourself an excuse to spend a day at the beach.
• Avoid using pesticides or chemicals around your property. The use of pesticides and chemicals can be harmful to the ocean. When it rains, the remnants of these chemicals can end up washing into a nearby storm drain, finding their way to the local river or ocean and proving very harmful to whatever marine life calls such bodies of water home. While it's sometimes necessary to use pesticides or chemicals, avoid overuse and dispose of any leftovers properly.
• Do the little things. Something as simple as cutting the plastic that holds together beverage six-packs can go a long way. When such items make it into oceans and rivers and aren't cut up, marine life can become entangled in them and die.
• Hire professional marine construction companies to either do the work or consult with you on your shoreline restoration and dock and pier building.  These services will help keep your waters clean and safe for years to come. 

Another little thing to do is be more conscious of what you buy each day. Don't purchase items with excessive packaging that increase waste.