Proposed Environmental Legislation in Maryland

02/28/2008

Highlights of the proposed changes:

House Bill 498 - A proposed change in standards for dissolved MTBE levels will require notification to the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE), County Health Departments, and from said agencies to property owners within 1/2 mile of a site where MTBE is found in any county previously designated as a high-risk groundwater use area. Legislation will change the action level and MTBE cleanup level from 20 ppb to 5 ppb. This change was proposed on January 28, 2008 and assigned to Environmental Matters Committee. A public hearing held on February 19 showed that the industry supported a ¼-mile distance for reporting, but not a reduction to 5 ppb. If the bill is not rewritten, it is likely to die in committee.

HB 870 - Proposes the licensing of professional geologists in Maryland and establishment of a board to certify and regulate the practice of Geology in the state of Maryland. The bill broadly defines “Practice Geology” as “the means to perform any service or creative work, the adequate performance of which requires geologic education, training, and experience in application of the principles, theories, laws, and body of knowledge encompassed in the science of geology.” This bill was introduced on February 6, 2008 and assigned to the Economic Matters Committee. A public hearing is scheduled for March 5 at 1:00 p.m. at the House of Delegates.

HB 977 - A bill requiring any person who discharges or releases, participates in the discharge or release, or has evidence of a discharge or release of a hazardous substance to report the incident to the MDE. The key change here is the last portion which now places the responsibility on a person who may simply possess evidence of a discharge to report the incident immediately to the Department. The bill also includes language that places similar requirements in a circumstance where there is substantial threat of a release into the environment. This requirement would vary from the current situation where responsible parties have had the burden of reporting. This bill was introduced on February 7, 2008 and referred to the Environmental Matters Committee. A public hearing is scheduled for February 29 at 2:00 p.m. This bill is being requested by the MDE and is geared toward the MDE's Voluntary Program, not petroleum sites. If passed, the MDE would write regulations to specify what sites are subject to this reporting requirement.

For more detailed information, please visit the Maryland General Assembly's web site at www.mlis.state.md.us.