"Lengthy delays. Staffing shortages. Byzantine regulations.

These are trying times for Maryland’s well and septic permitting program. State officials can’t even quantify the overall extent of the permitting delays because the system lacks a centralized database.

A spokesman for the Maryland Department of the Environment, though, characterized the delays in many places as “significant” and said that many jurisdictions are struggling to simply manage communications and customer service.

About one-third of counties are experiencing “some systemic challenges” with their well and septic permitting programs, Jay Apperson said in a statement."

Jeremy Cox reports for the Bay Journal April 5, 2023. [2]