(a) The following persons have standing to bring and maintain an action
provided for in this section in the courts of equity of this State:
(1) The State of Maryland, or any agency or officer of the State, acting
through the Attorney General;
(2) Any political subdivision of the State of Maryland, or any agency or
officer of it acting on its behalf; and
(3) Any other person, regardless of whether he possesses a special interest
different from that possessed generally by the residents of Maryland,
or whether substantial personal or property damage to him is
threatened. However, an individual citizen either shall reside in the
county or Baltimore City where the action is brought, or shall
demonstrate that the alleged condition, activity, or failure complained
of affects the environment where he resides.
(b) Any person given standing by subsection (a) of this section may bring
and maintain an action for mandamus or equitable relief, including
declaratory relief against any officer or agency of the State or
political subdivision for failure on the part of the officer or agency
of the State or political subdivision to perform a nondiscretionary
ministerial duty imposed upon them under an environmental statute,
ordinance, rule, regulation, or order, or for their failure to enforce
an applicable environmental quality standard for the protection of the
air, water, or other natural resources of the State, as expressed in a
statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, or order of the State, or any
political subdivision upon the request of the defendant, the court in
its discretion may join as a party defendant any person against whom
the plaintiff is requesting that governmental action be taken following
notice to that person and if the court determines that the joinder
would serve the interests of justice.
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