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MD Withdraws New Phosphorous Rules for Farmers

Don Rush

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland's Agriculture Department has withdrawn its request to seek emergency status on proposed regulations on fertilizer use aimed at reducing Chesapeake Bay pollution.

The department announced it was pulling back the request on Monday. That's two days before a legislative panel was scheduled to take up the proposal.

The department sought emergency status in order to get the regulations in place in time for the fall planting season. The regulations are designed to use new research to reduce the amount of phosphorous that gets into waterways.

Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance says the department will meet with stakeholders and resubmit the proposal next month.

Critics contend the regulations would prevent farmers from using locally produced organic fertilizer.

(See: Salisbury Daily Times)

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.