Stricter regulation of chicken farms is the topic of a series of public hearings in Maryland.

As Jessica Forres reports the proposed regulations are meant to reduce the amount of poultry manure that ends up in the Chesapeake Bay.

CHICKENSH1-FORRESmp3'>LISTEN TO THE STORY THAT AIRED ON WAMU 88.5 FM

Under new rules proposed by Maryland's Department of the Environment, 2-hundred of the state's largest chicken-producing operations would be required to properly manage and store manure…or pay fines.

Kim Coble with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation says that would bring more than 50 percent of the state's poultry litter under MDE regulation.

IDEALLY A FARMER HAS A MANURE STORAGE SHED. NOT ALL FARMERS HAVE THOSE AND SO IF YOU DON'T HAVE THOSE THAN THE MANURE IS OPEN TO THE RAIN AND THE RAIN CAN WASH THE NUTRIENTS INTO THE BAY SO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT STOCKPILE IS DONE PROPERLY.

Bill Satterfield with Delmarva Poultry Industry Incorporated says chicken growers are heavily regulated under the Water Quality Improvement Act of 1998.

THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT SEEMS TO THINK THAT THIS NEW DUPLICATIVE SET OF REGULATION WILL SOMEHOW IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN MARYLAND. WE'RE NOT SURE HOW THAT CONCLUSION IS MADE.

A public hearing is scheduled tonight at 6pm at Chesapeake College.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

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A poultry trade association says new regulations...meant to reduce the amount of manure polluting the Chesapeake Bay...could cripple chicken farmers in Maryland.

Jessica Forres reports...

CHICKENSH2-FORRESmp3'>LISTEN TO THE STORY THAT AIRED ON WAMU 88.5 FM

The Maryland Department of the Environment wants to subject about 200 of the state's largest chicken farms to scrutiny and potential fines for improper use and storage of chicken manure.

Bill Satterfield is with the Delmarva Poultry Industry Incorporated.

THERE MIGHT BE FARMERS WHO SAY THE HECK WITH MARYLAND, I'M NOT PUTTING UP WITH THIS, I'M MOVING SOMEWHERE ELSE. ONE OF THE DANGERS OF THIS REGULATION IF IT'S PUT IN LIKE IT'S PLANNED IS THAT IT COULD REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE CHICKEN INDUSTRY IN MARYLAND.

Kim Coble with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation says that's unlikely.

IF YOU OWN A COUPLE HUNDRED ACRES OF FARMLAND, YES YOU CAN SELL THAT AND MOVE TO ANOTHER AREA BUT IT'S A LITTLE DIFFICULT, IT'S NOT AS EASY TO DO AS ONE MIGHT PRESUME.

A public hearing is set tonight at 6pm at Chesapeake College.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News