Attorney general opinion: ‘Significant possibility’ Baltimore County bill would violate Maryland environmental rules

The Maryland attorney general’s office says it “seems clear” a Baltimore County councilwoman’s proposal to exempt waterfront business owners from some environmental protection requirements would violate state law, but that the final decision would be up to a state commission. The bill, which Democratic Councilwoman Cathy Bevins proposed, would exempt waterfront hospitality businesses that want to build or expand from certain state restrictions. Assistant Attorney General Kathryn Rowe wrote in an Aug. 18 letter that there is a “significant possibility that implementation of the proposed legislation would be found to conflict” with Maryland environmental laws, specifically the Critical Area Act designed to protect the Chesapeake Bay.