Task Force on Sustainable Growth and Wastewater Disposal

Governor O'Malley on June 21, 2011 named a broad cross-section of representatives from business, agriculture, science, environmental advocacy and government from throughout Maryland to study the issue of the use of on-site sewage disposal systems, commonly known as septic systems. The Executive Order that created the Task Force on Sustainable Growth and Wastewater Disposal Commission followed a vigorous debate on the issue during the 2011 legislative session over the Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act (SB 846 and HB 1107).

The Task Force is to report its findings by December 1, 2011 to the Governor, the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, and the House Environmental Matters Committee and the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee.

Members of the Task Force on Sustainable Growth and Wastewater Disposal

Chair -- Delegate Maggie McIntosh of Baltimore City, chair of the House Environmental Matters Committee
Vice Chair -- Jon Laria, partner in the law firm of Ballard Spahr and chair of the Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission

Members

Erik Fisher, land use planner with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Fred Tutman, executive director of the Patuxent Riverkeepers and a member of the Patuxent River Commission
Robert Mitchell, director of the Environmental Programs Division of Worcester County
C.R. Bailey, vice president of Marrick Properties
Madison "Jimmy" Bunting, Jr., Worcester County Commissioner
Rob Etgen, executive director of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy
Pat Langenfelder, president of the Maryland Farm Bureau
Richard Hutchison, Talbot County farmer
Jim Rapp, executive director of Delmarva Low-Impact Tourism Experiences
Robert Sheesley, owner of Eco-Sense Inc. environmental consultancy
Dr. Kelton (Kelly) Clark, director of the Morgan State University Estuarine Research Center in St. Leonard and chair of the Patuxent River Commission
Brian Hammock, attorney, Venable LLC
Robin Truiett-Theodorson, member and former president of the Abell Improvement Association

Additional Members, as specified in the Executive Order:

State Senator Paul G. Pinsky of Prince George's County, lead sponsor of SB 846
Senator David R. Brinkley of Frederick County
Delegate Steve Lafferty of Baltimore County, lead sponsor of HB 1107
Richard Eberhart Hall, Secretary of Planning
Robert M. Summers, Secretary of Enviroment
Earl (Buddy) Hance, Secretary of Agriculture
John Griffin, Secretary of Natural Resources
Margaret McHale, chair of the Critical Area Commission
David Carey, Bel Air Mayor (representing the Maryland Municipal League)
Joe Adkins, Frederick Planning Director (representing the Maryland Municipal League)
Katheleen Freeman, Caroline County Planning Director (representing the Maryland Association of Counties)
Chris Trumbauer, Anne Arundel County Councilman (representing the Maryland Association of Counties)
Russ Brinsfield, executive director of the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Queenstown