As previously reported on Conduit Street, MACo and the Maryland Conference of Environmental Health Directors requested a meeting with officials from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) regarding MDE’s proposed regulations that would mandate the use of best available nitrogen removal technology  (BAT) in septic systems.  Both MACo and the Conference have raised concerns over the scope and implementation challenges of the proposed regulations during the public comment period.

MACo and Conference representatives met with MDE officials, including Secretary of the Environment Robert Summers on September 7.  Both at that meeting and in subsequent conversations, State and Administration officials indicated a willingness to consider modifications to the regulations that would address MACo’s concerns.  On October 19 MACo sent a followup letter to MDE proposing that a small stakeholders group meet to consider amendments to the regulations.

MACo believes that amendments could be ready for review by the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review in early 2013.