2/1: VA, MD want to trap pollutant-filled runoff

Washington Post: Virginia, Maryland want to trap pollutant-filled runoff in Chesapeake Bay

When rain falls on cities and suburbs in the Chesapeake Bay's watershed, it washes road grease, trash and pet waste into storm sewers and then into bay tributaries.

Virginia and Maryland want real estate developers to trap the runoff water, put it into grassy fields or gravelly pits and let it sink in naturally. Environmentalists are all for that idea. However, developers think new requirements set by the states are too tough -- and could backfire by encouraging sprawl.

In Virginia, former Gov. Kaine approved the new rules, but a state board has suspended them. A spokeswoman for Gov. McDonnell said on Friday that he will re-evaluate the issue. Maryland lawmakers haven't backed away from the idea as of yet. But developers are gearing up to lobby against the runoff rules.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State Senate moving slowly on bills -- none have passed yet

ARKANSAS: Legislative committee to consider lottery bill

FLORIDA: Hiaasen: Fast trains are cool...and very expensive

GEORGIA: Rules revolution in Georgia House

KENTUCKY: Governor's task force urges renewable energy requirement

LOUISIANA: State to pay CA firm $5.3 million to collect $460 million in back taxes

MISSISSIPPI: State senate committee considers reducing number of legislators

NORTH CAROLINA: State enforces gluten-free claims to cheers across the country

SOUTH CAROLINA: Senate uses parliamentary tactic on voter ID bill

TENNESSEE: State BOE approves Bible class for public schools

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