Monday, May 26, 2008

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ANNAPOLIS — Gov. Martin O’Malley, a Democrat, is scaling back new poultry regulations following complaints from farmers — a move that prompted an immediate outcry from environmentalists.

The new permitting requirements that would have applied to about 200 large Eastern Shore poultry farms will now only affect 75 to 100 farms under revised rules released Friday night.

The industrial-style water pollution control permits, which would require a list of manure runoff control measures and annual reports to state environmental regulators, are the first to force poultry farms, a key source of Chesapeake Bay pollution, to submit to inspections.

Gerald Winegrad, the former chairman of the Maryland Senate’s environmental matters subcommittee, questioned the timing of the announcement before a holiday weekend.

“This is gutless and feckless; it’s really sad,” Mr. Winegrad said. “I am personally upset that they have weakened what were already weak environmental regulations.”

Scott Edwards, legal director of the Waterkeeper Alliance, called the decision a “disgrace.”

“Obviously, the industry got to them,” Mr. Edwards said. “We have seen no degree of commitment from anybody in Maryland to clean up this industry, despite lots of promises, and the Chesapeake Bay is paying the price.”

A $120 annual fee was also dropped under the revised regulations.

Robert Summers, deputy secretary of the state Environment Department, said the changes mean less bureaucracy for farmers.

“The concern (of farmers) was that we were creating a lot of extra paperwork that would be expensive and time-consuming, but would not provide much in the way of environmental benefits,” Mr. Summers said. “We took that comment very seriously.”

Mr. Summers said the 100 mid-sized poultry farms no longer required to get permits will still be forced to certify they have nutrient plans and water quality management plans. Those poultry farms will also still have to submit to state inspections and keep manure more than 100 feet from streams.

The deputy secretary also said the rules could change again before they are adopted later this year.

Chuck Fry, vice president of the Maryland Farm Bureau, said he was pleased the revised permitting process will be less burdensome for farmers.

“I think it’s a move in the right direction,”Mr. Fry said, adding that “the paperwork involved in farming is getting immense.”

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