Rising Sun commissioners press state agency after renewed odor complaints from mushroom facility

Commissioner Pearson said the smell from a nearby operation, which he identified as West Coast Mushrooms, "has come back very strong over the last month," and told the Rising Sun Town Council he has contacted the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to seek help addressing the odor.

"The obnoxious odor that keeps coming from West Coast" is creating concerns about downtown investment and resident well-being, Pearson said, asking the company to "come to the table" and urging residents who believe they have health issues linked to the smell to report them to town officials so the matter can be elevated to state authorities. "If you can prove it, please contact us because that takes it to a different level," he said.

Town Administrator Tom echoed the council's concern about economic impacts, saying one potential downtown investor told him, "why should he bother investing in a restaurant when people have to smell that mushroom." Town officials said they have raised the issue with county and state contacts and will keep residents updated via the town's Facebook page.

No formal enforcement action or permit change was reported at the meeting. Commissioner Pearson said county and state officials have been alerted and that the town will follow up if residents provide documentation of health effects. The council did not vote on a formal directive at this meeting.

Next steps: Pearson said he will continue outreach with MDE and the county and will inform residents of developments as the investigation proceeds.