I was shocked and very disappointed to see Gov. Martin O'Malley's letter regarding the Environmental Law Clinic at the University of Maryland ("O'Malley butts in," Nov. 21).
Mr. O'Malley has been a champion of clean energy and global warming solutions, and he has promoted some sound policies to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, like reducing pollution from septic systems. But when it comes to this lawsuit, I believe the governor is clearly in the wrong.
This case is about defending our clean water laws and protecting the Chesapeake Bay. Even more fundamentally, it's about whether poultry companies should be held responsible for water pollution caused by their chickens' manure. I think our basic sense of fairness and responsibility tells us the right answer, but it's good news for the bay and every Marylander that the courts are taking up this important question.
Instead of chastising law students for doing their job, I hope Governor O'Malley will stand up to corporate agribusiness polluters and defend every Marylander's right to clean water and a healthy Chesapeake Bay.
Tommy Landers, Baltimore
The writer is campaign director for Environment Maryland.