Watershed Restoration

In 2012, the State of Maryland passed the Watershed Protection and Restoration Program (HB-987), which applies to the nine largest counties in Maryland (Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s) and Baltimore City that are federally required to treat stormwater runoff. The purpose of the fee is to manage pollution carried by stormwater into local waterways. The collected fees are placed in a dedicated fund and used to finance projects that treat polluted stormwater. The fee structure is established independently by each county/city and differs across the State.

The stormwater remediation fee applies to the nine largest counties in Maryland (Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s) and Baltimore City, which are federally required to treat stormwater runoff. Residents, businesses, and institutions in these areas are all required to pay the fee. The fee structure is established independently by each county/city and differs across the State.

The stormwater remediation fee requirement applies to the nine largest counties in Maryland (Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s) and Baltimore City, which are federally required to treat stormwater runoff. The fee structure is established independently by each county/city and differs across the State.

Stormwater runoff originates during precipitation when water flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces such as streets and rooftops increase runoff by preventing water from soaking into the ground. Water running over impervious surfaces can pick up sediment, chemicals, debris, and toxins which are carried to local waterways. These pollutants prevent waterways from being fishable and swimmable.

The objective of this document is to provide an overview of the most relevant urban stormwater management and watershed restoration issues, common mitigating practices, and regulations relevant to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Land use and landscaping practices can drastically change how water flows on the landscape and ultimately impacts the health of our streams, rivers, and bays.

Stormwater runoff originates during precipitation when water flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces, such as streets and rooftops, increase runoff by preventing water from soaking into the ground. Water running over impervious surfaces can pick up sediment, chemicals, debris, and toxins which are carried to local waterways. These pollutants prevent waterways from being fishable and swimmable.

Water running over hard surfaces can pick up sediment, chemicals, debris, and toxins which are carried to local waterways. These pollutants prevent waterways from being fishable and swimmable. In 2012, the State of Maryland passed the Watershed Protection and Restoration Program (HB- 987) which mandates that counties subject to a certain municipal stormwater permit institute a stormwater remediation fee. The purpose of the fee is to manage pollution carried by stormwater into local waterways.

Stormwater runoff originates during precipitation when water flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces such as streets and rooftops increase runoff by preventing water from soaking into the ground. Water running over impervious surfaces can pick up sediment, chemicals, debris, and toxins which are carried to local waterways. These pollutants prevent waterways from being fishable and swimmable.