septic systems – Jay's Real Estate Blog

Panel hears testimony on septic system regulations

Written by
Brian Witte
Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS — Regulations requiring new Maryland construction to use the best technology in septic systems would help clean up the Chesapeake Bay, supporters told lawmakers Tuesday, but critics said the proposal by Gov. Martin O’Malley’s administration is a back-door effort to implement a plan already rejected by the Legislature.

Robert Summers, secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment, told members of the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review that the regulations are part of an effort to reduce nitrogen released into the polluted bay by 11.6 million pounds by 2026. Summers said the septics law, combined with the regulation, will equal a reduction in nitrogen produced by about 31,000 households.

“So each year, this will reduce the equivalent of the discharge of nitrogen from the city of Cambridge,” Summers told the panel.

He noted the western half of Garrett County in western Maryland and a part of Cecil County will be exempt from the regulations.

More here.

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Deadline Dates For "Grandfathering" Private Septic Systems Approaching

May. 10, 2012

The Board of Garrett County Commissioners has announced important deadline dates and explained some provisions of a new Maryland law, effective July 1, that will affect land development with on-site sewage disposal or septic systems throughout the state, including Garrett County.

“We want to make sure the public is aware of this Maryland legislation,” said board chairman James Raley during the commissioners’ public meeting last Tuesday with Health Officer Rodney Glotfelty and Dof the Garrett County Department of Planning and Land Development John Nelson.

The new statewide law, called the Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012, was recently passed by the Maryland General Assembly and was based on recommendations from the governor’s Task Force on Sustainable Growth and Wastewater Disposal, which had been charged with finding ways to address the impact of development with septic systems. State officials maintain that septic systems leach harmful nitrogen loads into the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

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To comply with the new law and take advantage of its “grandfathering” provisions, the commissioners recommend that county property owners take note of several important deadline dates specified in the law if they plan to develop major subdivisions with seven lots or more.

Those deadline dates are as follows:

• July 1, 2012, for persons to apply for percolation tests on properties planned for subdivisions. After that day, major subdivisions of greater than seven lots may not be approved for utilizing on-site sewage disposal systems,

• Oct. 1, 2012, to submit preliminary plans for subdivisions with greater than seven lots utilizing on-site sewage disposal systems to Garrett County Department of Planning and Land Development.

• Oct. 1, 2016, to have subdivision preliminary plan approval from Garrett County Planning Commission for major subdivisions utilizing on-site sewage disposal systems.

The new law amends both Maryland Health and Land Planning statutes.

“If property owners make application by July 1, 2012, we stand ready to do the necessary soil and percolation tests to meet the required plat approval deadlines,” Glotfelty said. “The important thing is to have the application to our office (Garrett County Health Department) for these large subdivisions prior to the July 1, 2012, deadline.”

For more information or to schedule percolation tests, persons can call the Health Department’s Environmental Health Division at 301-334-7760.

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O'Malley vows action on septic systems

Governor says growth off sewer lines undermines progress

By Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun

7:37 PM EST, December 29, 2011

Gov. Martin O’Malley promised a push during the coming legislative session to curb proliferation of large housing developments served by septic systems, saying that increased pollution from septic systems is undermining state progress in protecting the Chesapeake Bay.

Meeting with reporters Thursday, the governor took a defiant tone toward critics of his septic-control policies, which some have labeled part of a “war on rural Maryland.” O’Malley said that science is firmly on the side of those who want to control the growth of septic systems — typically used for large-lot developments in outer suburban and rural areas.

“One of the ways to get out of a hole is to stop digging it deeper,” O’Malley said. He pointed to figures showing that the state is making progress in dealing with other forms of pollution while nutrient production from septic systems is increasing.

While the governor made it clear that he would submit legislation, he did not provide specifics. A spokeswoman said it had not been decided whether the bill would be similar to last year’s proposal, which sought to ban some large developments on septic systems close to waterways, but O’Malley indicated that any proposal would include a provision to allow the children of farmers to build homes on family property.

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>Governor Martin O'Malley Announces Task Force to Examine Septic Pollution

>Yesterday, Governor O’Malley established a task force to study curbing pollution of the Chesapeake Bay from septic systems, saying he hoped it would help overcome concerns about the legislation he pushed unsuccessfully this year that would have banned large housing developments that depend on septic systems.

The Governor’s efforts to limit major housing developments using septic systems failed to get out of committee this past legislative session after rural lawmakers, farmers and developers raised an outcry, warning that it would limit growth and cost jobs in the state’s rural and suburban counties.

The task force includes representatives from the development and real estate community. I imagine we should soon hear from MAR regarding their involvement and to what extent that will be.

A copy of the executive order can be viewed online at…

http://www.governor.maryland.gov/executiveorders/01.01.2011.05.pdf

If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.

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House of Delegates Passes MAR Septic Legislation

Jay’s note: This is great legislation for us here in Garrett County, as very few areas are serviced by public sewer.

House of Delegates Passes MAR Septic Legislation

HB 62 will ensure that property owners living in Maryland’s Critical Areas will receive a grant to fund the cost difference between a conventional septic system and one using nitrogen reduction technology when replacing a failing septic system. The legislation will override the current means test now being used by the Maryland Department of Environment. The legislation take effect on October 1, 2010.

The Senate will hold a hearing on the legislation on March 23.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Category: septic systems

Panel hears testimony on septic system regulations

Deadline Dates For "Grandfathering" Private Septic Systems Approaching

O'Malley vows action on septic systems

>Governor Martin O'Malley Announces Task Force to Examine Septic Pollution

House of Delegates Passes MAR Septic Legislation

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