A service of Salisbury University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Rival Phosphorus Regs Considered in Annapolis

Don Rush

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland lawmakers are targeting phosphorous pollution of the Chesapeake Bay.

A Senate subcommittee heard testimony Tuesday for a bill sponsored by Sen. Paul Pinsky, D-Prince George's County, that addresses pollution caused by excess fertilizer on Eastern Shore poultry farms.

The bill contains recommendations similar to those proposed by former Gov. Martin O'Malley, which aim to address high levels of phosphorous by requiring farmers to test and monitor their soil nutrient levels and manage excess fertilizer.

Earlier Tuesday clean water advocates rallied in front of the Maryland State House wearing crab hats and chanting "clean water, we love it, we want some more of it."

The hearing comes one day after Republican Gov. Larry Hogan announced his Maryland Agriculture Phosphorous Initiative.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs 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.