February 17, 2011 – Senator Barry Glassman, R – 35, said this week that Governor O'Malley's recent septic proposal would throw out forty plus years of planning by Harford County.

The proposal would give the State veto authority over any housing development of five units or more that does not connect to a government run sewer system or have its own waste-water treatment which is not even permitted in Harford County.

Harford County was one of the first suburban counties to direct concentrated housing into a designated growth area, known as the development envelope which in later years became known as "Smart Growth." Additionally, Senator Glassman said, "When we created the Rural Plan during my time on the County Council, we set a course for one of the most successful agricultural preservation programs in the United States."

"This proposal turns local control and authority to the Maryland Department of Planning and the Maryland Department of the Environment," added Glassman.

Harford County has approximately 31,053 septic systems. Most experts say that septic systems contribute 6 to 7 percentage of nitrogen into the Chesapeake Bay. Glassman reported that counties are already enforcing new storm water regulations and designing Watershed Improvement Plans to make ready for the EPA's mandated reduction in total maximum daily loads (TMDL) of pollutants that work their way to the Bay.

Senator Glassman said, "Beyond its impact on local planning, the Bill will potentially devastate property values in Northern Harford County and further weaken the local home building industry and all the services related from nursery growers to well drillers and septic installers. I plan to unite our rural counties to fight this poorly conceived proposal and power grab," concluded the Senator.

Senator Glassman is beginning his second term in the Maryland Senate and served previously as a Harford County Councilman and Maryland State Delegate. If you would like additional information, please feel free to contact Senator Glassman at 410-440-9267.