A February 19 Washington Post article reported that Governor Larry Hogan plans to unveil a new version of the controversial phosphorus management tool (PMT) regulations a day before the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on legislation that would codify the previous version of the regulations proposed by former Governor Martin O’Malley.  The previous version PMT regulations would limit the amount of phosphorus that could be applied to agricultural lands and could prevent the spreading of fertilizer, poultry and other types of animal manure, and sewage sludge.  The PMT regulations have caused great concern on the Eastern Shore due to the potential effect on the poultry industry.

From the article:

The [Hogan] official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the regulations are still being finalized, said the governor’s rules will “balance the needs of the environmental and agriculture communities while also delivering immediate action to clean up the Chesapeake Bay.”

Sen. Paul G. Pinsky (D-Prince George’s) has said that he will pull the bill he submitted if the governor releases regulations comparable to those proposed late last year by then-governor Martin O’Malley (D). …

“No one disagrees that [phosphorus is] a major problem,” Pinsky said. “For us to cast a blind eye and say, ‘It’s not a problem,’ or ‘Yeah, it’s a problem, but let’s talk about it some more,’ is not taking responsibility.”