Why Rain Tax is beneficial to taxpayers

By Chau Trinh

December 12, 2015

Can the Rain Tax contribute to a healthier and cleaner source of water in our household? Martin
OMalleys rain tax might have been controversial but debatable for rolling back the measure.
The sooner the fee is supported, the less cleaning up costs wed have to pay for the
consequences.

Storm water remediation fee, better known as Rain Tax to the public, is passed to comply with
the EPA regulations of the Clean Water Act which requires states to reduce its sediment, nitrogen
and phosphorus in waterways leading to Chesapeake Bay. The fee charges household with
impervious surfaces leading to runoff into watersheds. As difficult as it is keeping a pollutant
free bay, rainwater is a nonpoint source pollutant that collects up fertilizers, pesticides, road salt,
pet waste, motor oil, etc as it runs through the surfaces. Funds collected are used to support the
EPAs multibillion dollar effort in preventing environmental degradation in our neighborhoods, a
local benefits close to home.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation has identified rainwater as the only major source of pollutants that
has increased tremendously over the years. Visible impacts include sedimentation, erosion and
exposed stream bank that increase the frequency of flooding and poses threat to the public safety
and property. According to the EPA, once rainwater cannot soak into soil due to the impervious
surface, impacts include increases in concentration of one or more pollutants, toxics or bacteria
levels in water source. Furthermore, riparian buffers, wetland restoration and rain gardens are

projects, funded from the fee, that can help reduce the amount of nutrients and sediment running
off into the Chesapeake Bay.

Although paying taxes isnt one of our best interests, clean water is the first priorities in our daily
life. If we dont take action, the process of cleaning up the consequences would cost much more
than what were currently paying for the Rain Tax. Indirectly, unrelated taxes and fees will make
it way back to homeowners. Furthermore, riparian buffers, wetland restoration and rain gardens
are projects that can help reduce the amount of nutrients and sediment running off into the
Chesapeake Bay.

The stormwater remediation fee ties both the public and businesses together to take
responsibility by dividing up the cost. Once the tax is repealed, organizations and businesses
will shift the burden of monetary funds toward the homeowners. The consequences will only
result in higher taxes and affect the general wealth.

Sources:

Anderson, Kevin. "Benefits of "rain Tax"" The Frederick New-post. N.p., 04 Oct. 2014. Web. 10
Dec. 2015.
"Impacts on Water Resources." Transportation Decision Making (2007): 337-58.
Http://www.prep.unh.edu/. New Hampshire Estuaries Project, Apr. 2007. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.
Water, Us Epa Office Of. "Environmental Assessment." Urban Storm Water Preliminary Data
Summary (n.d.): n. pag. EPA. Web. 11 Dec. 2015.