Chesapeake Bay Foundation explains Maryland ‘Rain Tax’; basically property owners are being taxed to clean up companies messes.

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DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG
DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

If you live in Maryland, get ready to pay for rain.

Lawmakers passed an “Impervious Surfaces” tax – also being called the “Rain Tax.”

Basically, you’ll be charged for any surface of land you own that does not absorb rainwater.

The ultimate goal is to reduce storm-water runoff and improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

How much you’ll pay depends on where you live – as each county will determine its own fee.

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Sparrows Point The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF)

Lawsuit Filed Over Sparrows Point Pollution

Sparrows Point Areas of Interest Grey’s Landfill – Select Groundwater Contaminants Coke Point Landfill – Select Groundwater Contaminants Sediment Testing

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and the Baltimore Harbor WATERKEEPER (WATERKEEPER), filed a lawsuit Friday, July 9, 2010 against the current and former owners of the Sparrows Point steel plant, which has illegally discharged hazardous waste for decades. The complaint, filed in federal court and joined by several local residents, seeks a full investigation and cleanup of pollution. The plaintiffs are concerned for the health of neighbors of the plant, as well as the environment of Bear Creek and the Patapsco River.

“This plant has released toxic chemicals into waters where people live, swim, and fish, day after day, year after year,” said CBF President William C. Baker. “It’s time to draw a line in the sand.  Our lawsuit will petition the court to require the company to stop this pollution, and to do a full assessment of the risks to human health and the environment.”

“The surrounding communities have unfairly suffered pollution for years from this site. Studies point to the extensive contamination of the river, yet Severstal has shown no intention of cleaning up their pollution.  That is unacceptable” said Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper, Eliza Steinmeier. “We, the people, own this river and nobody—including Severstal or previous owners of the site—has a right to contaminate our river.”

The complaint charges the current owner of the plant, Severstal N/A, and previous owner ArcelorMittal, with generating, storing, and disposing of hazardous waste at the site without a permit, and continuing to do so in violation of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and of state laws. The wastes, including benzene, chromium, lead, naphthalene, and zinc, have been found in Bear Creek and the Patapsco River. The chemicals could present an imminent and substantial endangerment to human health and the environment.

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