Thank you for your terrific editorial, "Mr. Hogan's run-off trap" (Feb. 5). In the 10 jurisdictions with the state's worst storm water pollution, we are all asked to pay a bit toward the projects that will clean up our local waters. This makes sense. It also makes sense that those who are polluting the most pay the most. It is like another somewhat irritating fee — airline baggage fees. If I fly with just small carry on I don't pay a fee. I pay more with one bag that has to be checked, and I pay lots more with large extra heavy bags. Each airline designs their system to meet their needs, just like each county created their storm water program to fix their own local problems.
What does not make sense is calling this crucial program silly names like the "rain tax" and shirking our responsibilities. We built the problem, let's work together to fix it.
Dru Schmidt-Perkins
The writer is president of 1000 Friends of Maryland.