MACo and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments are jointly hosting a Dialogue Session on Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit Developments in Maryland on Friday, December 19 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at MACo’s Annapolis Office. Local government stormwater managers, attorneys, and administrators are invited to attend.
As previously reported on Conduit Street, a coalition of environmental groups have legally challenged the Phase I MS4 permits issued to several counties by the Maryland Department of the Environment. The targeted jurisdictions include Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties and Baltimore City. The outcome of these cases could also potentially affect pending Phase II MS4 permit issuances.
Presenters at the Dialogue Session will provide an update on the status of the litigation and offer the perspective of several county permittees. There will also be open discussion on other potential MS4 permit challenges and how the incoming Administration of Governor-Elect Larry Hogan may affect the regulatory oversight and contents of the permits.
Dialogue Session on Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit Developments in Maryland
Location: MACo offices, 169 Conduit St., Annapolis, MD 21401
Date and Time: 1:00 PM – 3 PM, Friday, December 19
To Register: Attendance is free but seating is limited. To register please contact Kaley Schultze at kschultze@mdcounties.org or 410.269.0043 by Wednesday, December 17.
Directions: For directions & parking information please click here
Background: The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) recently issued final MS4 permits to Baltimore City, and Baltimore, Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties. It has issued draft “tentative determination” permits to Howard, Carroll, Charles, Frederick and Harford counties. Montgomery County’s precedent-setting permit, issued in February 2010, is up for renewal early next year.
The overall direction of these permits remains unsettled. Several counties have challenged their tentative determination language on fiscal, legal and technical grounds. It is not clear if the counties with final permits will be able to meet the most challenging aspects of their permits.
The impending change in administration in Annapolis may alter MDE’s regulatory stance and open up new approaches for building consensus between the Phase I permittees and the state.
Agenda 2014-12-19 Dialogue Session on MS4 Permits (MACo & COG)
Light fare will be provided just prior to the 1:00 PM start of the meeting. If you have questions please contact Les Knapp at lknapp@mdcounties.org or 410.269.0043.
