Governor O’Malley announced his appointments today to the Task Force on Sustainable Growth and Wastewater Disposal.  The Task Force was established by an Executive Order and will be studying the use of on-site sewage disposal systems (septics).  The Task Force was created in response to septics legislation introduced during the 2011 session, including a proposal by Governor O’Malley made in his 2011 State of the State address, to ban major developments on septic systems.  The legislation was tabled in anticipation of the Executive Order and the subsequent study. In a press release issued June 21, Governor O’Malley states:

“I am charging this task force with examining this issue in greater depth and we look forward to its conclusions,” said Governor O’Malley. “We must continue the progress we are making toward restoring the Chesapeake Bay and other waterways. This effort is not about stopping growth – it is about stemming the tide of major housing developments built on septic systems to generate clean
water and protect our environment and public health.”

Delegate Maggie McIntosh, Chair of the House Environmental Matters Committee will serve as Chair of the Task Force and Jon Laria, Chair of the Sustainable Growth Commission, will serve as Vice-Chair.  MACo will be represented by Caroline County Planning Director Katheleen Freeman and Anne Arundel County Councilman Chris Trumbauer.

The work of the Task Force must be completed by December 1, 2011 with a report to the Governor and the General Assembly.

See previous coverage of this issue on the Conduit Street blog.