September 2008
U.S. Water News Online
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — State officials have proposed rules meant to curb the amount of poultry waste that ends up in the Chesapeake Bay.
The Maryland Department of the Environment has proposed to subject about 200 of the state's largest chicken farms to scrutiny and potential fines for how they store and use chicken manure.
More than 270 million chickens are raised annually on Maryland farms, generating an estimated 1 billion pounds of manure.
Under the new rules, the largest 75 to 100 farms would be required to obtain permits meant to ensure that they don't pollute nearby waterways.
Farms could be fined up to $1,000 a day for violations, and MDE Secretary Robert Summers says every farm will be checked at least once in the first year.