Rain

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Mine That Bird spent the week tucked away in the Kentucky Derby Museum, not far from the track at Churchill Downs and the throngs wondering who will win the 139th run for the roses. The 2009 Derby winner seems to enjoy when fans stop in for a visit. A gelding who retired from racing in 2010, he appears at ease. And even as rail birds and once-a-year track goers alike fall for impressive looking favorites, Mine That Bird reminds them that their hunch is actually a guess.

Those thinking "done deal" after the state adopted a stormwater runoff fee may have another thing coming. Even though counties, including Baltimore and Howard, have adopted measures to comply with the fee, resistance is building to what some are now scornfully calling a "rain tax. " Not only was the fee structure bill in Anne Arundel County recently vetoed by the county executive, but now there are predictions the state legislature will reconsider how...

Reading about the rain water tax, I see that government buildings do not have to pay this tax. The government evidently knows how to keep their runoff from causing pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. Why not tell the rest of us their secret so we can keep our rain water from being contaminated and the Bay will quickly become pristine clean? Believe that and I'll tell you another one. Mary Chesney Schwind Cockeysville

The Anne Arundel County Council voted Wednesday to override County Executive Laura Neuman's veto of fees to pay for stormwater pollution projects, but council members then offered changes that could address some of her concerns. It was not clear whether their new bill, which would cap some fees at a lower rate and phase in the charges, would meet her approval. Her spokeswoman, Tracie Reynolds, said Neuman "is working with the County Council on new legislation. " Budget analysts have not determined how much revenue the council proposal would raise for pollution control projects.

Another wet, gloomy day is in the forecast in the Baltimore area Tuesday, with chances for rain and highs in the mid-60s expected, according to the National Weather Service. A coastal flood advisory is in effect for the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday. Another quarter of an inch of rain is possible throughout the day. At BWI Marshall Airport, 0.18 inches of rain fell Monday. A northeasterly flow of winds bringing ocean moisture is responsible for the wet weather, and is forecast to bring 5-10 mph breezes.

Stormwater is the only source of pollution to local waterways that is growing. There has been much talk lately of stormwater fees as a "rain tax. " While catchy, the moniker really doesn't tell the story. The story begins when those raindrops hit parking lots, roads and other paved surfaces. As they flow downhill, they pick up pollution - oil and grease from automobiles, fertilizer from our yards, and dog waste that wasn't picked up. That pollution flows into storm drains, then into local streams and creeks, then into local rivers.

Rain showers are expected throughout the day Monday in the Baltimore area, with temperatures mostly in the 50s, according to the National Weather Service. Virtually a 100 percent chance of showers was expected, with more than three-quarters of an inch of rain possible through the day. Winds of 10-15 mph are expected from the east. Little variation in temperatures was expected, with overnight lows in the mid-50s and afternoon highs in the lower 60s. Rain chances are expected to continue into Tuesday.

Marylanders will face a couple more days of gloomy weather before things brighten up again toward the end of the week, according to the National Weather Service. On the plus side, the stretch of drizzle and rain should wash away some of the masses of tree pollen that have afflicted allergy sufferers for the past few weeks, weather service meteorologist Greg Schoor said. Schoor said a high-pressure weather system near New England is responsible for the rain and high temperatures in the 60s. "If you can manage through today and tomorrow and even into Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will be a little improvement," Schoor said Monday.

When I first heard about the rain tax ("Anger grows over stormwater fees," April 16), I laughed. Not because of the increase in living costs, or the fact that were being taxed on an uncontrollable environmental factor, it's the fact that Gov. Martin O'Malley got away with doing it. This bill has allowed legislators to cross into a new territory of taxes which makes me wonder if summer will have a tax next year due to the increased temperature causing...