Ehrlich (R - MD) Wants Weaker Water Pollution Rules For Baltimore

[hatrack]

The Ehrlich administration has proposed pollution limits for Baltimore's harbor that are weaker than the state suggested in 2003, triggering complaints from some environmental groups. Complying with a requirement of the federal Clean Water Act, the Maryland Department of the Environment proposed limits last month for nitrogen and other nutrient pollution running into the harbor from sewage treatment plants, industries and stormwater drains. Nitrogen pollution from sewage and other sources causes algae blooms and low-oxygen "dead zones" that kill marine life.

The limit of 5.3 million pounds per year of nitrogen proposed by the MDE would reduce current pollution flow into the harbor by 37 percent, according to the state's plan. But the agency suggested pollution cuts of more than 50 percent in a draft 2003 proposal circulated to an advisory panel, state records show.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation sent a letter of protest to the state yesterday, saying it was "surprised and shocked" to hear of the new limits, which it said should be reconsidered.

Kim Coble, the foundation's executive director for Maryland, said in an interview that the state won't be able to meet its commitments to improve the Chesapeake Bay's water quality by 2010 without tighter restrictions. "The fact of the matter is that every person, every industry, every municipality has to step up to the plate to improve the quality of the bay," Coble said. "So when we have the MDE proposing increases to the nitrogen loads, it is five steps backwards from the goals we are trying to achieve."

EDIT

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.nutrients07jul07,0,3033245.story

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Relax pollution controls on the shores of the CHESAPEAKE ?? No way!

Good luck with that one. Fisherman and oystermen will be heard screaming all the way to the statehouse.