By Annie Linskey and Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun
9:09 p.m. EDT, March 27, 2012
Gov. Martin O’Malley’s bill to curb sprawl by limiting septic systems — a key piece of his legislative agenda — cleared the Maryland Senate Monday, albeit in a weakened form.
The measure aims to slow the pace of development of the state’s farmlands, forests and other rural areas. It also would reduce pollution from septic systems into the Chesapeake Bay. Getting Senate approval for the legislation is a significant step for the governor, who wasn’t able to get a similar bill out of committee last year. The measure goes now to the House of Delegates, where supporters are optimistic.
O’Malley initially sought a stronger bill that would let the state determine whether new developments could be built in rural areas. Last week he accepted a compromise supported by conservative Democrats and Republicans that keeps the final say on development in local hands.
“We are still achieving the public policy objectives,” said Maryland Planning Secretary Richard E. Hall. “I still think the bill does what it sets out to do. … It is very much intact.”
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