Maryland Enacts Stormwater Management Law

Maryland has enacted a law that sets higher standards for new development to reduce stormwater runoff.

The Stormwater Management Act of 2007 is a fiscally neutral bill that applies to all new major development. It requires developers to use environmental site design as the primary method for managing stormwater, and requires no net increase in runoff from a development site. The legislation requires cities and counties to update archaic local zoning codes to allow for low impact design techniques. In also directs the Maryland Department of the Environment to study and recommend the implementation of an appropriate fee schedule to increase enforcement of stormwater laws. The department must also create a comprehensive process for permitting development that will protect state waters from the first groundbreaking to the final stages of development and beyond. "Controlling storm water isn't sexy," said Maryland State Senator James Rosapepe. "But it's critical to cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay." http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/may2007/2007-05-10-09.asp#anchor5 

Environment News Service, May 9, 2007