The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) has announced its intent to challenge state-approved stormwater permits for Howard, Carroll, Charles, Frederick and Harford counties.

From coverage on WBAL newsradio’s web page:

The focus of these suits is on MDE’s failure to properly draft permits that comply with state and federal law, not any action by the counties.

Many of the 10 jurisdictions in Maryland fell well short of MDE goals established in previous stormwater permits. Often, the lack of progress was due to vague permit goals, and insufficient funding by the jurisdictions.

Alison Prost, Maryland Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation says they don’t feel the permit as drafted is protective enough.

An on-air interview with CBF’s Maryland Executive Director Allison Proust can be heard online.

CBF includes “litigation” among its core missions to effect policy changes. From its “our mission” website:

Litigation is used to not only protect and enforce the current environmental laws but to bring about environmentally friendly change within our legal system. CBF attorneys argue cases in the federal and state courts within the watershed and file amicus curiae — also called Friend of the Court — briefs in related environmental lawsuits.

For further background on stormwater related litigation, see previous Conduit Street coverage:
Issue Overview – County MS4 Stormwater Permit Litigation