Chesapeake Bay: New Md GOP Gov. Vows To Fight Farm Pollution Rules

"Gov.-elect Larry Hogan promised Maryland farmers Monday that his 'first fight' in office would be against costly new farm pollution regulations, even as environmental groups released new data showing many Eastern Shore chicken farms could be fouling the Chesapeake Bay.

Speaking to the Maryland Farm Bureau's annual convention in Ocean City, Hogan indicated he would weaken or reverse controversial rules proposed last month by Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration. The rules, which could take effect just before Hogan takes office Jan. 21, would curtail Shore farmers' widespread use of poultry manure as fertilizer.

'The first fight will be against these politically motivated, midnight-hour phosphorus management tool regulations that the outgoing administration is trying to force upon you in these closing days,' Hogan said. 'We won't allow them to put you out of business, destroy your way of life, or decimate your entire industry.'"

Timothy B. Wheeler reports for the Baltimore Sun December 8, 2014.