Stormwater Partners Network

Here is a case study of poor erosion and sediment control in Montgomery County.  The site is Leesborough (Centex construction), the former Good Counsel site (bordered by Georgia Ave., Amherst Ave., Arcola Ave. and Elkin St.) in Wheaton, Maryland.  The result was sediment laden runoff from the construction site.  The photos below are from May 25, 2009 (after many similar overflows for months).

 Uncontrolled erosion on-site above basin

Flow from containment basin, across sidewalk,
into Amherst Ave

Flow into street leading to storm drain at Amherst and Elkin

The headwaters of Sligo Creek at Channing and Blueridge Ave. — the sediment laden runoff from the Leesborough/Centex site merging with the clear runoff from neighborhood streets.

Sligo Creek about half a mile down stream showing the sediment laden flow from the construction site.

A full report about the incident can be found here on the Friends of Sligo Creek web site.

I am speaking on behalf of Neighbors of the Northwest Branch, a citizen-based nonprofit dedicated to the restoration of the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River. We experience first hand the results of current “best management practices” for stormwater: deeply eroded stream channels, exposed and vulnerable sewer pipes, and pollution and nutrients from streets and yards carried down the Northwest Branch to the Anacostia River to be deposited in a dying Bay. 

The Stormwater Management Act of 2007 opened a new chapter, setting Environmental Site Design (ESD) as the new standard for development. Bill 40-10 begins the process of writing the new standards into existing county code. Kudos to the County Exec for continuing to apply thesame stormwater volume standards to both new development and redevelopment projects. But some other parts of the code revision must be strengthened—now, before approval. 

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Today, June 5 is National Trails Day.  So it was appropriate to have the ribbon cutting for the Northwood Chesapeake Bay Trail today. This was the culmination of an effort that began about a year ago. Today, VIPs were on hand to make opening remarks. The public was invited to participate in either a 5K fun run or hike. Community groups like Friends of Sligo Creek and Neighbors of the Northwest Branch had information tables about their organizations. About 100 to 200 people participated in the event.

Representatives from all the partnership organizations cutting the red ribbon officially opening the Northwood Chesapeake Bay Trail.

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The Neighbors of the Northwest Branch recently purchased signage for their demonstration rain gardens.  These signs are a valuable tool in reaching out to the community. In order to see significant water quality improvements, we will need to see a significant percentage of homeowners sustainably manage stormwater on their properties.

New Rain Garden Sign Used By Neighbors of the Northwest Branch

New Sign in Rain Garden of NNWB Member Jim Fary

Here is a press release by Jennifer Chambers of the Potomac Appalachian Trails Club  (see also the event flyer):

On Saturday, June 5, 2010, National Trails Day, the Northwood Chesapeake Bay Trail project sponsors, Chesapeake Bay Trust (CBT), Northwood High School (NHS), Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC), Friends of Sligo Creek (FOSC), Neighbors of Northwest Branch (NNWB), and MD State Highway Administration (SHA), will celebrate the land restoration project completion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a 5k Bay Fun Run and Hike. The celebration and 5k will start at 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at Kaplan Stadium behind Northwood High School, 919 University Blvd. West, Silver Spring. Leaders from each partnering organization will officially open the new green space and the new, nature interpretive Northwood Chesapeake Bay Trail at 10:00 am. The 5k run will follow at 10:20 am and at 11:00 am, walkers will hike the new trail that connects the school to Northwest Branch Park. The Georgetown North Face store and Silver Spring Pacer’s store will provide merchandise and gift certificates as door prizes for hikers and runners. In addition, the celebration will have health and environmental education resource and activity tables (more…)