House Environmental Matters Committee Chair Maggie McIntosh discussed land use and environmental issues with MACo’s Board of Directors on November 8.  The meeting took place as part of MACo’s Fall Board Retreat in Annapolis.  The Fall Retreat focuses on the upcoming Session and MACo’s 2014 Legislative Initiatives.

Delegate McIntosh stated that the General Assembly will consider bills to modify or repeal the stormwater management fee legislation from 2012.  Regarding the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund (BRF), she noted that 2017 will be a critical year for the Fund.  At that time some of the debt being covered by the BRF to upgrade major wastewater treatment plants to enhanced nutrient removal will be retired and additional funds will be available that could be spent in other areas such as major/minor plant upgrades,  stormwater management, and septic system upgrades.

The Delegate also predicated that the General Assembly will consider zero waste and bottle deposit legislation and could potentially consider legislation regarding the State’s proposed Accounting for Growth Policy.