Now that the Maryland General Assembly has reconvened for the 448thLegislative Session, ShoreRivers’ advocacy efforts are in full swing. The organization’s advocacy work, which is led by your Riverkeepers, is fundamental to creating system-wide change to protect local rivers against the major issues that impact water quality on the Eastern Shore.
Key efforts this year include the following, though additional bills and legislation are likely to be added to this list as they are introduced and prove to be in line with ShoreRivers’ mission of protecting Maryland’s Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement.
1. Sewage Sludge – Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances – Regulation (SB719/HB925), which will establish testing requirements to identify PFAS concentrations in biosolids – the solid waste residuals from wastewater treatment plants which are used as soil conditioners on many farms across Maryland, and require the Maryland Department of the Environment to set and phase-in, tiered concentration limits for PFOS plus PFOA in biosolids applied to agricultural land.
2. On–Site Sewage Disposal System inspection requirements (SB165/HB146), which will require septic systems to be inspected and pumped at a property transfer or during a change of tenant in a rental home. Reasonable exceptions apply, and an inspection and pumping service is good for three years.
3. Defending important funding sources through budget advocacy will be another important priority for ShoreRivers this session. With a budget deficit pressuring Maryland legislators and advocates to “do more with less,” ShoreRivers is committed to defending historically beneficial environmental funds such as the Bay Restoration Fund, the 2010 Trust Fund, the Chesapeake Bay Trust, State Aided Institutions, the Clean Water Commerce Account, and the Maryland Agricultural Cost Share Program. Defending environmental funding isn’t just about restoration projects and facility upgrades, it’s also about enforcement and accountability. Maryland is a national leader in environmental protection. To ensure those laws are enforced properly, our agencies need adequate staffing and resources.
Note that we are also tracking legislation from state agencies and that addresses the state increased flood risks, enhances environmental grant funding, controls the spread of invasive plants, and more. To learn more about these bills and how you can be involved in Maryland’s legislative session, become an advocate volunteer at ShoreRivers today. You can also view in-depth summaries about our legislative priorities by navigating to our legislative landing page on the ShoreRivers website.