Eco-Friendly Poop Next for Chesapeake Bay?

Md. bill would require eco-friendly septic systems

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Maryland homeowners living in areas critical to the Chesapeake Bay's health would have to install environmentally friendly sewage disposal systems when current systems fail, under legislation debated Thursday in the Senate.
 

Homeowners would receive state aid to pay for systems that have the best available nitrogen removal technology, but developers wanting to build new homes in those areas would not be eligible for assistance. Only people living within 1,000 feet of the Chesapeake Bay or water that flows into the Bay would be subject to the rules.
 

State analysts estimate there are roughly 50,000 septic tanks that would be subject to the regulations. It costs around $12,000 to upgrade an existing system to be compliant. Those who violate the measure would face fines of up to $8,000.
 

"It's a huge burden any way you look at it," said Sen. E.J. Pipkin, R-Cecil. Pipkin added he was skeptical the bill would guarantee homeowners are fully compensated for the difference between a conventional and an environmentally friendly system.
 

The legislation was sponsored by Montgomery County Sen. Mike Lenett, whose district does not include any areas affected by the bill, angering lawmakers who represent more rural areas such as the Eastern Shore and felt the measure was a "mandate" for their constituents.
 

Lenett said it shouldn't matter where he hails from, because the Bay "is for all Marylanders."
 

Several lawmakers argued that watermen, farmers, power plants and local governments have already been required to follow more stringent rules to protect the Bay, yet more needs to be done.
 

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"We all share the goal of cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay, I know that, we all talk about what we have to do in order to do that. We've been told by our Chesapeake Bay Commission, our Chesapeake Bay Foundation, our own Chesapeake Bay strategy plan, our own Chesapeake Bay program, that we cannot restore the Bay unless we do this," Lenett said.
 

Builders have told lawmakers it will cost them about $5,600 more to install one of the requisite systems in a new home, but senators shot down an amendment that would have given them access to state aid.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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