PUBLIC MEETINGS PLANNED ON MARYLAND’S PROPOSED CHANGES TO NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 11, 2012) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) will host a series of public meetings across the state to provide information to farmers, environmental interests, local governments and other stakeholders on proposed changes to Maryland’s Nutrient Management Regulations and offer an opportunity for public comment.
The draft regulations are scheduled for publication in the Maryland Register on June 29, 2012. To read the proposed regulations online visit the Maryland Register or MDA’s website.
The proposed regulations were submitted to the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR) on May 22 of this year following months of discussions with stakeholder groups and input from Governor Martin O’Malley’s Baystat Scientific Panel. They are designed to achieve consistency in the way all sources of nutrients are managed and help Maryland meet nitrogen and phosphorus reduction goals spelled out in its Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay.
MDA will hold public meetings in four locations around the state next month. All meetings will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more information, contact the Nutrient Management Program at 410-841-5959.
North Central Maryland
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Harford Community College
Amoss Center
401 Thomas Run Road
Bel Air, MD 21015
Western Maryland
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Washington County Agricultural Education Center
7313 Sharpsburg Place
Boonsboro, MD 21733
Eastern Shore
Monday, July 23, 2012
Talbot Community Center
10028 Ocean Gateway
Easton, MD 21601
Southern Maryland
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Calvert County Fairgrounds
140 Calvert Fair Drive
Prince Frederick, MD 20610
Comments may be sent to Jo Mercer, Ed.D., Program Manager, MDA’s Nutrient Management Program, Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401, or email [email protected], or fax to (410) 841-5950. Comments will be accepted through August 13, 2012.
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