Advertisement Gov. Hogan to end predecessor's septic tank mandate in Maryland Mandates called 'burdensome and expensive' by homeowners, businesses Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Saturday he will end a statewide mandate for homeowners and businesses to use what's called "best available technology" in septic systems when they construct or enlarge buildings, a policy put in place by his predecessor to fight pollution in the Chesapeake Bay.Hogan, a Republican, made the announcement in his closing speech to the Maryland Association of Counties, where he said he's heard the call of many local officials to end the requirements homeowners and businesses have found burdensome and expensive."We will deliver this much-needed relief while continuing to ensure that environmental safeguards are in place," Hogan said, adding he planned to officially pull back the regulations Monday.The regulations were put in place in 2012 by then-Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat who said at the time that better technology was needed to keep pollution from seeping into rivers and streams and eventually into the nation's largest estuary - the Chesapeake Bay.Best available technology will still be required in what's known as the critical areas near the bay.Such systems may reduce nitrogen in wastewater discharged to drain fields. Many use aerobic treatment systems and electrically powered air blowers to stimulate the growth of aerobic bacteria. They can prolong the lifespan of the drain field systems.Ben Grumbles, secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment, noted that, "It was sacrosanct for us to make sure that that best available technology is used in those areas that are very close to the coastal bays and the Chesapeake Bay itself ..."But echoing Hogan, he said in many jurisdictions outside of that area the added improvements in controlling nitrogen may not justify the cost of the technology.Environmentalists called Hogan's decision a setback for pollution reduction in the bay."Who is going to pollute less so the homebuilders can pollute more?" asked Tom Zolper, a spokesman for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.Counties can still require the best available technology, if they decide to on their own.Grumbles said the state will focus on failing septic systems and hooking up homes and businesses to sewer systems to better protect the environment."The reality is there are a lot of citizens - a lot of communities - that feel this is an area that needed regulatory reform, so we're offering a targeted, balanced, approach and also stepping up and saying failing septic systems are unacceptable," Grumbles said. "We want to really help focus on the failing ones and also work with the counties to rethink whether or not hookups to sewer systems can be the best approach."Meanwhile, Hogan also said he will try to repeal a law enacted this year that requires the governor to create a scoring system for transportation projects. It says the governor must give reasons for not funding projects that rank high in the scoring.Transportation funding has been a bitter point of contention between the governor and the Democrat-controlled legislature, ever since Hogan scrapped plans to build a light rail plan in Baltimore. Hogan vetoed the bill this year, but the legislature swiftly overrode the veto before the session ended in April.In recent weeks, state transportation officials have contended the law threatens to impede local transportation projects. Hogan reiterated that in his speech Saturday."This legislation has the potential to kill nearly all of the priority road and bridge improvements in nearly every single jurisdiction all across the state," Hogan said.App promotion footer