Maryland's "rain tax" was implemented in 2012 through the Watershed Protection and Restoration Act to fund stormwater management aiming to reduce the level of pollution in the Chesapeake Bay.
[3] The "rain tax" raised revenue to improve the stormwater management system while creating a financial incentive to minimize the construction of and replace current impervious surfaces.
[3] The rates and number of square feet used to calculate the Equivalent Residential Unit were set by local officials across the ten jurisdictions to adequately finance the work needed to meet the targets of the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint.
[5] The revenue collected was used to maintain and repair the stormwater infrastructure to reduce pollution, improve water quality, and enhance the livability of these jurisdictions.
[6] Government agencies sited on properties with impervious surfaces, including the Department of Navy, declined to pay the stormwater fee.