Comments on: Cecil County Faces $600 Million Tab for Bay Pollution Cleanup; New Flush Rules for Homeowners

By: Al Reasin

Al Reasin — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:23:12 +0000

Because PlanMD is not finalized, Director Flanigan did not address in any detail the complications of Plan MD on the WIP requirements. Elkton West is NOT part of the PlanMD growth area, so the original idea to gain nutrient credits from that area to offset other areas may be doomed if MDE interferes with sewage system expansion.

Since the state will target their idea of the growth area, the towns in Cecil County will benefit, so what happens to the infrastructure in the no-growth areas? Will the road and bridges be allowed to deteriorate, thus helping push people into the cities?. . . The fanciful idea of an idyllic life in towns with jobs within walking distance and travel by public transportation is a pipe dream for America.. . .

As has been said, the basis of these ideas under WIP have not been proven correct. Is the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) required for the goal under WIP those that are achievable, where is the cost/benefit analysis and what level of cleanliness will be achieved in the Bay? This is somewhat similar to the bet some are willing to make that climate change is man-made and willing to spend untold billions to arrest it.

WIP is a result of an Executive Order in March 2009 by President Obama which sidestepped congressional review, public hearings and approval; just like PlanMD, which will be tied by an Executive Order from Governor O’Malley to a 1974 law on the Bay. This is not the democratic process, like it or not. This instead utilizes the idea that the end justifies the means.

It takes a strong person in a leadership position to challenge actions that are being broadly characterized as earth friendly and environmentally sound.

By: Ken Jenkins

Ken Jenkins — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 07:32:09 +0000

The fact of the matter is that man pollutes.
In this case the Chesapeake Bay is the recipient of man’s pollution.
Since the Federal, State, County and local governments have chosen to turn a blind eye to this situation over decades we find ourselves in an impossible political situation with regard to the health of the bay.
Hopefully, this mandate is just a wakeup call for the residents and developers in the Chesapeake watershed.
The city of New Orleans created it’s man made disaster by developing a city below sea level, and they plan to rebuild!
The six states in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed have created it’s own man made disaster by overdevelopment of the watershed and overfishing the bay.
Crabs will soon be $1,000.00 a bushel, if there are any left.

By: Andrew Boyd

Andrew Boyd — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:27:50 +0000

OMG! Obama Must Go!