SILVER SPRING, MD—M-NCPPC, Montgomery Parks has implemented a plan to reduce stormwater pollution in the more than 35,000 acres of parkland it oversees and is reminding park patrons and residents that they can take easy steps to help in this effort.
Stormwater pollution forms when rainwater is unable to soak into the ground
and instead flows off hard surfaces carrying sediment, oil, gas, trash, pet
waste and other contaminants into streams, rivers and lakes. Controlling
stormwater pollution is vital to improving water quality and ensuring a healthy
environment for park patrons as well as for the fish and wildlife that live in
parks.
“It’s critical that we do our part to reduce stormwater pollution and improve water quality,” said Director of Parks Mary R. Bradford. “The Department is committed to implementing best practices in stormwater management and ensuring safe, healthy parks and waterways for visitors and wildlife. We encourage park patrons and county residents to help us.”
Recently, Montgomery Parks submitted a report to the Maryland Department of the Environment detailing accomplishments and future plans for stormwater pollution reduction. The report lists measures taken by the Department to reduce stormwater pollution throughout existing and new parkland under its Phase II National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permit.
Efforts undertaken by the Department of Parks include educating park staff
and the public about stormwater pollution prevention methods, the construction of bioretention areas, rain gardens and other structures to filter stormwater, modification to existing park maintenance programs to reduce pesticide and fertilizer use, planting trees along streams to help soak up and filter stormwater, and performing stream restoration projects which stabilize
waterways, reduce erosion and improve aquatic habitat. Additionally, more than 2,500 park volunteers helped remove over 40 tons of trash from our streams and parks through park and stream cleanups. Funding from the County’s Water Quality Protection Fund has supported these mandated stormwater pollution management efforts.
Park patrons and residents can also assist in efforts to reduce stormwater
pollution. Properly disposing of pet waste in parks, ensuring that trash ends
up in the park trash bin and not on the ground, and not dumping anything into park storm drains which flow directly into streams, stormwater ponds and eventually the Chesapeake Bay are all easy ways to reduce pollution.
At home, residents can help reduce stormwater pollution by properly
disposing of household chemicals, ensuring septic systems are properly
maintained, and utilizing sustainable landscape and gardening techniques.
See the full NPDES stormwater permit report submitted to the Maryland
Department of the Environment and learn more about the Montgomery County
Department of Parks efforts to reduce stormwater pollution at http://www.montgomeryparks.org/PPSD/Natural_Resources_Stewardship/stormwater/stormwater.shtm
Learn more about the Water Quality Protection Charge at http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dectmpl.asp?url=/content/dep/water/wqpc.asp.
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