COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The Stormwater Management (SWM) Division is involved in a variety of community projects and outreach efforts that promote clean water strategies in the county. Some of these efforts are described below.

ELLICOTT CITY NATIVE GARDEN

The Stormwater Management Division and Recreation and Parks obtained a grant from the Maryland Commission for Celebration 2000 to plant a native garden in Ellicott City. Using native plants in a garden helps reduce water and fertilizer consumption since these plants are better adapted to the local environment. The native garden is located near the log cabin on Main Street and a sign posted at the site provides information about the different species of plants in the garden. For pictures of the garden, click here.

LONG MEADOW II HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

On October 21, 2000, the Long Meadow II Homeowner's Association (HOA) in Columbia, planted native trees and shrubs in their stormwater management pond in an effort to improve water quality in their streams and the Chesapeake Bay.

The project design was created by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel and includes a habitat for plants and animals around the storm water management pond. The community organized a meeting with the Master Gardeners to learn about the benefits of using native plants. The Department of Public Works Highway Division resculpted the pond by creating islands, in preparation for the tree planting.

Present at the planting were employees of the Stormwater Management Division, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Howard County Master Gardeners, and the homeowners of the LongMeadow II. Dr Kevin Johnson was the lead contact for the HOA and did a wonderful job of organizing the event. For pictures of the planting, click here.

The tree planting was funded by the Stormwater Management Division, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and the LongMeadow II HOA.

ROCKY GORGE

As part of our agreement with the Patuxent Reservoir Watershed Protection Group, the Storm Water Management Division has been involved in several community projects. On April 8, 2000, as part of the April Earth Month activities, a local girl scouts troop stenciled storm drains near the Rocky Gorge Reservoir in Howard County. The stencils read "Don't Dump, Chesapeake Bay Drainage." An award ceremony was held, to honor the girl scouts, at the WSSC facility and the Mayor of Laurel presented individual commendations to the participants.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Howard County encourages residents to care for their property in an environmentally friendly way. We encourage proper lawn fertilization and herbicide / pesticide application techniques, use of native plants for landscaping and replacement of lawn areas, and maintenance of stream buffers.

• If you are a community group, individual, or teaching institution that would like to start a water quality improvement project, or if you would like a speaker to talk on these topics at your next community meeting, please contact the Stormwater Management Division at (410) 313-6586.