Every now and then justice prevails. On the March 14th episode of OPEN AGENDA (S3 E16) we bring you good news of the Circuit Court ruling against the bio-refinery operation on Hickory Mill Rd. Rajneesh Kathuria, owner of Kathuria Farms, LLC, constructed an industrial facility in an agricultural zone to process poultry litter into various “bio-fuels.” Pursuant to the court's ruling, such facilities are not permitted in agricultural/residential zones--only in industrial zones. Kathuria not only provided false information on the building permit application, but also misrepresented the industrial nature of the operation. This was particularly egregious since Mr. Kathuria sits on the Maryland Agricultural Commission. Residents of the adjacent neighborhood had to fight an expensive court battle to protect themselves from the undesirable environmental and quality-of-life consequences of this illegal operation. Our guests, Rhonda Tomko and Jo Diggs from “Families Not Refineries,” will bring us up to date on the outcome. Although this is an important victory, Annapolis is continuing to allow Wicomico County to be used as a testing ground for unproven, experimental technologies for processing animal waste, despite the negative impacts to surrounding landowners. Is the county government doing enough to protect us from being exploited by the State of Maryland? Tune in and be informed.
