The proposed green fund bill to improve the state?s watershed could bring in more money to Anne Arundel County?s $1.3 billion stream-improvement backlog, officials said.
But since the legislation was introduced a month ago, the bill?s future has remained uncertain and could fail before the County Council.
The current draft would have 45 percent of the $20 to $40 fee collected from Anne Arundel residents remain in the county if a local stormwater management fund exists to match the amount.
“It helps leverage more funds, and incentivizes locals to put in more money and get the most bang for their buck,” said Kim Coble, Maryland executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
The Stormwater Management and Restoration Trust Fund before the council would charge for any new impervious surface added in the county, which could reap $10 million a year on top of other stormwater revenues.
“If the green fund goes through and we don?t have a comparable fund, we miss out on some serious revenue,” said County Councilman Josh Cohen, D-District 6. “The green fund makes it important to do something at the local level.”
Cohen and two other councilmen are trying to amend the bill to charge all current impervious surface based on square footage. Such a fee was lacking from County Executive John R. Leopold?s draft.
“I?m not going to prejudge any action by the council,” Leopold said.
The councilmen said they are working to a consensus, but finding a fourth vote has been difficult.
Though officials say the green fund could help the SMART fund find passage, it also could present a double tax on county residents. Supporters of the funds say the fees are nominal and needed to protect the watershed.
But asking voters to pay a double charge may not find support.
Councilman Edward Middlebrooks, R-District 2 said: “I think it?s in trouble, and may ultimately go down in defeat.”
