As reported by Len Lazarick of MarylandReporter, the Capital Debt Affordabilty Committee, at its meeting earlier this week, discussed options to make up for a $660 million shortfall in the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund.

Jag Khuman, director of the Maryland Water Quality Financing Administration, said raising the flush fee is one of five options being considered by the Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee. The other options include: reducing the funding of the upgrade of local systems; increasing the term on the Bay fund bonds from 15 to 30 years; discontinuing operating grants to local sewer systems; and delaying or eliminating some projects, though that option “would not be a good thing for the environment.”