A closely watched and controversial set of environmental regulations were officially submitted by the Maryland Department of Agriculture on November 12, and will be published in the December 1 Maryland Register. This starts the process of their adoption, which (by this specific timing) could occur before Governor O’Malley leaves office in January.

From coverage in the Daily Times online:

New regulations to limit farmers from polluting phosphorus into the Chesapeake Bay could be implemented before Gov. Martin O’Malley leaves office in January.

The proposed regulations outlined by the phosphorus management tool were submitted Friday for inclusion in the Dec. 1 Maryland Register and for legislative review. By submitting them Friday, the rules can be placed into effect by the Maryland Department of Agriculture before Gov.-elect Larry Hogan is sworn into office on Jan. 21.

The state legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review will have 45 days for review and comment, after which, the department can then implement the regulations.

Read the full Daily Times coverage online.