Maryland County Takes Strong Stance on Stormwater
Under new draft regulations, Montgomery County, Maryland, would be the first in the country to require the use of "green streets" techniques. Image courtesy: Jane Thomas, IAN Image Library
September 2008 -- Montgomery County, Maryland, has recently introduced two draft regulations to help control polluted runoff from roads and developed areas to the county’s Chesapeake Bay tributaries.
The first would make Montgomery County the first county in the country to mandate the use of “green streets” techniques to reduce polluted runoff from the county’s roads. Polluted runoff, or stormwater, is the fastest-growing source of pollution to the Bay and its local waterways.
“Green streets” use specially designed grass medians, trees and other landscaping to capture and slow polluted runoff from roads. In addition to beautifying streets, the vegetation filters out pollution before it can make its way into storm drains and streams.
Visit the Potomac Conservancy’s website for more information and to submit written comments to Montgomery County about the proposed regulations.
In addition to the “green streets” proposal, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has released a draft Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit to help reduce the impacts of polluted runoff in Montgomery County. The draft stormwater permit is among the strongest in the country and would be an important step toward restoring the Bay and its local waterways.
The draft stormwater permit for Montgomery County includes requirements to:
- Restore 30 percent of the county’s impervious surfaces by 2013 by retrofitting these areas with stormwater management practices.
- Establish and implement a trash elimination program for the Anacostia River as part of efforts to achieve a trash-free Potomac River.
- Develop and implement plans to reduce polluted runoff to the county’s rivers and streams, which eventually flow to the Chesapeake Bay.
- Identify sources of pollution and opportunities to clean up waterways throughout the county.
- Modify planning and zoning codes to allow for more green development practices.
For more information about the draft stormwater permit, visit the Maryland Department of the Environment’s website. MDE will accept written comments on the permit through Oct. 17. 2008.