The Maryland State Government enacted the Bay Restoration Fund in Senate Bill-320 during the spring of 2004. The purpose of the bill is to collect funds that will be used as grants and loans to upgrade the nutrient removal technology at certain wastewater treatment plants. All users of public utilities will be billed the fee beginning January 1, 2005.

The legislation requires the County to collect the fee ($7.50 per quarter for a single residential dwelling) as a separate line item on the utility bill. Prorating of the fee is not allowed; this insures the legislation will be applied correctly and everyone will be billed appropriately for the calendar year 2005.

Effective October 1, 2005, the County will be billing the users of private septic systems a $30.00 annual Bay Restoration Fee. A portion of these funds will be used to upgrade failing septic systems and to pay for cover crops on farmland to reduce the amount of nitrogen flowing into the Bay.

Effective July 1, 2012, the fee for users of public utilities was increased to $5.00 per month per equivalent dwelling unit (EDU).

Effective July 1, 2012, the fee for users of onsite disposal (septic) systems was increased to $60.00 per year.

Click here for information and application for the Bay Restoration Fee Hardship Exemption.

For additional information regarding the Bay restoration program, please visit the MDE website at: www.mde.state.md.us.

Proposed financial hardship exemption criteria:
o Only owner-occupied residential property will be eligible for Bay Restoration Fee exemption
o Property owner must be receiving the Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit.
o The applicant must also meet one additional condition:
                   o Receiving energy assistance subsidy;
                   o Receiving public assistance-supplemental security income (SSI) or food stamps;
                   o Receiving veterans or social security disability benefits;

Application Procedure and forms:
o Completion of Bay Restoration Fee hardship exemption application form.
o Proof the applicant resides at the property.

Required Supporting Documentation:
o Copy of tax bill or proof of Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit approval.
o Copy of energy bill, benefit check, or other documentation of receiving one of the above benefits.

Exemption time-period:
o Maximum of one year based on fiscal year July 1st through June 30th.
o Applicant must request exemption renewal.
o County will send applications to previously qualified property owners.

Estimated number of residential users qualifying for exemption:
o Approximately 1,800 maximum, based on the number of properties
receiving Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit

Fill Out the Application Below: