Legislation passed April 9 by Maryland’s 2012 General Assembly will double the Bay Restoration Fund fee. Money collected will be used for water quality projects, especially reductions in nutrient pollution that affect Chesapeake Bay. Funds will provide grant money for local stormwater projects and will be used to upgrade the state’s 67 major wastewater treatment plants, improve septic systems, and increase cover crops. The Assembly also passed another measure requiring Phase 1 municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) to implement a stormwater utility fee. Read more.