Stormwater Regs & Construction Jobs Unravel In Annapolis

A short-lived compromise on Governor Martin O’Malley’s controversial stormwater management program has unravelled and one House committee chair predicts a “bloodbath” over this issue prior to the end of the 2010 legislative session on April 12.

Earlier this session, contractors, home builders and related industries descended upon Annapolis to oppose implementation of stormwater regulations proposed by the Department of the Environment that would devastate Maryland's construction industry. The construction industry has been hit especially hard by job losses in Maryland.

In his State of the State address, O’Malley promised that 2010 would be a legislative session of “jobs, jobs, jobs.” To be successful, however, a jobs strategy for Maryland must focus on measures to stimulate private sector growth in the construction industry. Instead, the O'Malley administration is proceeding in exactly the opposite direction.

Overzealous bureaucrats have devised stringent new regulations that have infuriated legislators who voted unanimously for the 2007 bills (SB 784 and HB 786 - Stormwater Management Act of 2007). The proposed regulations far exceed anything imagined by the legislators that supported the legislation.

A compromise had been brokered with Secretary of the Environment Shari Wilson to change these regulations. The compromise allowed some existing projects that had already applied for environmental permitting need to be grandfathered under the old rules.

However, conflicts have now arisen between the House and Senate over the proposed revisions. According to the Baltimore Sun, House Environmental Matters Chair Maggie McIntosh anticipates a “bloodbath” over new legislation to revise the stormwater program. To read the full story, click here.

Look for the battle over the stormwater regulations to be the most controversial issue as the session sputters to an end over the next two weeks.