ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS SUE BALTIMORE COUNTY

Stormwater requirements come under legal challenge in Maryland

• Timothy B. Wheeler, BAY JOURNAL

Two environmental groups are challenging new stormwater management requirements Maryland regulators have issued for Baltimore city and Baltimore County, arguing that they fall short of what’s needed to curb worsening climate-driven flooding and reduce polluted runoff.

Blue Water Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation filed petitions Monday in city and county Circuit Courts seeking judicial review of stormwater discharge permits that were finalized in early November by the Maryland Department of the Environment.

Baltimore city relies on vacuum-powered street sweepers, like the one shown here with its operator Alonzo Ames, to pick up dirt, litter, sediment and other pollutants.

Dave Harp

These MS4 permits (shorthand for “municipal separate storm sewer system”) require localities to reduce pollution and flooding caused by rainfall running off buildings and pavement. Under the federal Clean Water Act, the MDE is supposed to review and reissue them every five years. The MDE also issued permits in November to Anne Arundel and Montgomery counties.

Blue Water Baltimore said that its water quality monitoring over the past decade shows previous stormwater measures required by the MDE have failed to improve the health of area streams and the harbor. FINISH READING HERE

More News from Timonium

• Local TV Partners For New IPA
• The School Buses Are Waiting For You