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Sunday, October 27, 2013

A Tool Of Destruction

by Delegate Mike McDermott

A new tool developed by the University of Maryland will determine acceptable levels of phosphorus in our farm fields. If those levels are breached, no organic chicken manure may be applied. For our farmers and the Eastern Shore economy, this “tool” has much more in common with a dagger than an instrument of science.

In this case, science is being cast aside in favor of a political tool that garners support/donations from national environmental groups at the expense of Maryland families. The fact is, we do not know the phosphorus impact, if any, on the Bay. Further, we cannot determine the percentage that Maryland farms contribute. While Delaware continues to study the issue to get a better picture of cause and effect, O’Malley and the democrats move forward half cocked, more desirous of being “first” rather than “correct”. This political correctness will prove devastating to the Eastern Shore and, ultimately, Annapolis revenues.

80% of lower shore farmland could be deemed unfit to receive poultry litter. Farms in this category will need to purchase chemical fertilizers at significant expense in order to grow. A farmer who may spend $500 for poultry litter will need to replace it with $20,000 worth of chemical fertilizer.

Poultry farmers without land accessibility or lacking neighbors to utilize their organic manure will be faced with a trucking/shipping bill in a market with fewer integrators willing to accept ones poultry litter. This translates to higher costs and storage issues all adding to the bottom line of a business’s viability.

Maryland, under democratic rule, is no stranger to losing businesses due to over regulation; and, while a business can adapt or move out of state, the farmer’s asset and heritage is the dirt beneath his feet. He is forced to comply or abandon his dream by a governor with a national agenda using ambiguous science to destroy Maryland’s number one industry.

Dr. McGrath (the University of Maryland's scientist behind the shortened study) told me the depletion of phosphorus in soil could take 50-years, yet O’Malley refuses an additional 36-months to better understand the cause and effects.

Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance says, “We won’t know the cost until we implement the plan.” Does that sound eerily familiar?

Perhaps it’s time to provide blindfolds to the farmer and the fisherman standing guard over the Great Seal of the State of Maryland and ask, “Got any last requests?”

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

this nonsense must be stopped. HOW??? we can't let this continue to let this go on. these pols are clueless and will absolutely ruin our state and nation if we don't take action and take action soon.

Anonymous said...

Mike if you get re-elected are you going to fight to get our gun rights back?

Anonymous said...

Thanks for doing the "right" thing. It's a struggle but I appreciate it and will always support you!

Mrs. Tom

Anonymous said...

Ok... what chemical company now owns the politicians of the state of MD? We know it's not Monsanto. Just follow the trail and we'll see who's behind this latest attack on MD.

Anonymous said...

Keep fighting, Mike! Don't think your letters back home to us are going unread. We truly want and need your good work over there! Too bad there aren't 60 of you!

Anonymous said...


How tough would it be to measure the Bay and feeding tributaries above and below Baltimore, and where the bridge crosses?

With that baseline information measurements could be done at each feeding tributary below the bridge to truly determine the source of undesirable chemicals.

I'm not tied to any of the farm or poultry firms, but would bet the numbers above the bridge are lopsided.

Would be nice if science got a chance to contribute to the discussion instead of just activist beliefs and wishes.

Anonymous said...

It's like the Rain Tax! O'Malley has no plan, drawings, machine or anything that makes the rain that falls on a roof or driveway filtered and clean before it gets to the bay. No business plan whatsoever!
Just "Gimme money" and the Bat will magically get clean!

Really, Marty????

AND, he wants to charge this tax to businesses that have no runoff because they ALREADY had to spend up to 20% of their project costs for retention ponds and related catch basins and piping!

BTW, something the City of Salisbury does NOT have, and whose Mayor ASKED O'Malley to be able to charge this tax on us!!!!!

I could go on....

Anonymous said...

Hance needs to go and now !!!

Anonymous said...

Excess phosphorus in water will cause algae blooms and reduced dissolved oxygen that detrimental to the Bay and other water ecosystems; so the end goal is justifiable but the means with which they are trying to accomplish this is not.

Anonymous said...

@4:33

If you don't think Monsanto doesn't own a fare share of politicians you are sadly mistaken. But, yes, I agree, I doubt they are involved here.

Anonymous said...

Just went to MDE's website and searched all sewage overflows for 2013. So far there have been 1338 incidents. Whose really responsible for polluting the bay? Farmers or the confined feeding operation known as Baltimore City?

Anonymous said...

The only way to stop the country from going down is to replace all Democrats and RINOS with conservatives.Better yet, get rid of all political parties.