The Frederick Board of County Commissioners Thursday agreed to allocate $25,000 to support the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) coalition of Maryland counties which are joining together to challenge state regulations imposed on the counties by various government agencies, primarily the Maryland Department of the Environment and Maryland Department of Planning.

The purpose of the TMDL coalition is to pursue improvements to the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay in a prudent and fiscally responsible manner. There have been concerns raised as to whether the current regulatory requirements achieve those goals. The counties in the coalition wish to challenge the regulatory actions imposed and to gather additional background information in a concerted effort.

Dorchester County officials asked Frederick County and other Maryland counties to support their legal efforts to challenge the regulations.

Board President Blaine Young commented, "The onerous TMDL regulations, PlanMaryland, septic and stormwater regulations and other issues were the reason we joined and continue to support the Maryland Rural Counties Coalition. These issues are an all-out assault on our statewide property rights. When we’re trying to turn the economy around, why are they putting more regulations and additional fees on our citizens?

"Although we must follow recent regulations because they are mandated and we want to be in compliance, we must continue to voice our objections through every means possible, including this TMDL coalition. We believe that the taxpayers of Frederick County are willing to pay this fee in comparison to the huge burden placed upon us. This coalition is another tool in the tool box to help Maryland counties, including Frederick County."

Dorchester County hopes that seven other counties will join in the TMDL coalition in the near future.