MD officials gather in Ocean City for Healthy Waters Round Table

Too many nutrients may not sound harmful, but when it comes to nitrogen and phosphorus in Maryland’s waterways that’s not the case.

Local government collaboration, cleaner water, and avoiding penalties.

They’re common goals and the reasons why nearly fifty Maryland government and environmental officials met Wednesday night in Ocean City for the Healthy Waters Round Table.

“All of them know at the end of the day they are responsible for hitting certain targets and achieving certain results.” Said Jag Khuman, with the Maryland Department of the Environment.

Right now, nitrogen and phosphorus levels are fairly high in Maryland waters, and because of that, the Environmental Protection Agency requires that by 2017 the state must reduce levels of nutrient and sediment pollution by sixty percent compared to 2009 levels.

Khuman tells 47 ABC that deadline is expected to be met. However, now the focus shifts to another set of requirements for 2025.

“Between 2017 and 2025, is where we need agriculture, septics, and storm-water sectors to do their part, so that we don’t go over our limit.”

To hit the deadline pollution-reduction projects need funding.

On July 1st Governor Larry Hogan’s repeal of the state’s stormwater utility fee or “rain tax” went into effect. Meaning the state won’t be taking any money for Bay-related conservation efforts so those responsibilities now fall on cities and counties.

“Counties have the flexibility to either have a fee or to provide monies to provide general funds or other sources.” Said Khuman.

On July 1st Salisbury’s Stormwater Utility fee went into effect, charging each
single-family household $20/year, raising nearly $600,000.

We’re told that money is being used for various projects to help clean the Wicomico River, including the purchase of a street sweeper, upgrades and repairs to the storm drainage system, and a camera that is being sent through underground pipes to detect breaks where discharge could leak out and potentially make it’s way into the river.

Tonight’s round table discussion was the first event in a series of Healthy Waters workshops that will take place until early December.