Chesapeake Bay Trust: Molly Alton Mullins 410-271-3469 mmullins@cbtrust.org
Anne Arundel County: Matt Diehl 410-222-7582, pwdieh00@aacounty.org
Seven New Projects Announced to Help Manage Stormwater Runoff in Anne
Arundel County
(Annapolis, MD) July 7, 2015 –Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works and the
Chesapeake Bay Trust recently announced seven new projects that will receive grant funding
through the inaugural round of the collaborative Anne Arundel County Watershed
Restoration Grant Program. This program was launched just this year to support stormwater
restoration and retrofit projects throughout Anne Arundel County. The program’s primary
objective is to achieve reductions in pollutant loads, specifically excess nutrient and sediment, to
the county’s waterways, while also engaging residents in natural resource issues.
“Managing stormwater runoff is incredibly important to the health of the local creeks, streams
and rivers of Anne Arundel County,” said Erik Michelsen, administrator of Anne Arundel
County’s Watershed Protection and Restoration Program. “The grant program serves as a
valuable resource designed to engage local organizations and individual citizens in projects that
will have a lasting impact in communities throughout our county.”
Specifically, the Anne Arundel County Watershed Restoration Grant Program supports requests
to build a range of features that help local water quality: bioretention cells, bioswales, rain
gardens, stormwater marsh enhancements, and stream and wetland restoration practices of
various types. To be considered for funding, projects had to occur in Anne Arundel County, and
applicants were required to engage at least one partner that represents a stakeholder group based
in the county. More detailed information on the program’s requirements can be found at
www.cbtrust.org/grants/AnneArundelWR.
“Each year the Chesapeake Bay Trust works with hundreds of grassroots organizations, many of
them in Anne Arundel County, to engage local residents and implement projects that improve our
streams, rivers, parks, and ultimately the Bay,” said Jana Davis, executive director of the
Chesapeake Bay Trust. “Through this partnership, we are able to connect Anne Arundel County
with, and channel additional resources to, community groups that share the same mission:
Improving our communities and local waterways in a way that benefits all the residents,
businesses, and communities in our area.”
The projects funded include:
South River Federation: $77,406
This proposal is composed of two bioretention projects in the Hillsmere Shores Community. The
first project will expand an original bioretention complex installed to treat a significant portion of
stormwater runoff with approximately 5,000 square feet of bioretention. The second project is
composed of two upland coastal plain outfalls to treat runoff on waterfront community lots
adjacent to Duvall Creek.
Herald Harbor Citizens Association: $55,255
This project will take place at the base of a large valley that carries stormwater from Hall Road
and the community center directly into the Severn River at the community beach. This project
will create planted, river rock-lined swales along the road, as well as a conveyance system at the
currently degraded stream bed and wetlands at the downstream edge.
South River Federation: $55,494
The South River Federation is working with the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, Maryland
Department of Corrections, Anne Arundel County DPW, and Preserve at Broad Creek Home
Owners Association to install 190 linear feet of roadside bioretention and 9,000 square feet of
forest enhancement at Camp Woodlands.
West/Rhode Riverkeeper: $45,000
A total of 2,000 square feet of impervious asphalt will be removed and 4,252 square feet of
nontidal wetlands will be installed to capture runoff from a parking lot and roads in the Avalon
Shores Community. Capturing stormwater will also reduce flooding that currently harms the
community.
South River Federation: $100,000
The Annapolis Harbour Center Stream and Wetland project will improve habitat, increase
floodplain connection, and prevent bed and bank erosion along local streams. The restoration of
this site would also enhance 1,500 linear feet of existing stream and more than five acres of
forested wetland habitat that drains 169 acres, of which nearly 85 percent is impervious.
Round Bay Community Association: $23,387
This project includes the implementation of a rain garden which will treat 1.52 acres at a location
adjacent to the B&A Bike Trail. The project will also involve modifying an existing inlet to
function as an overflow structure. Invasive plants will be removed and the area will be replanted
with native species.
Ben Oaks Civic Association: $87,566
The project involves a series of swales, rain gardens and conservation landscaping, some
drainage rework with an infiltration trench, and foot path restoration along Severnside Drive.
This work will slow and infiltrate stormwater, old drain pipes will be removed and replaced, and
eroding footpaths will be restored and planted.
For additional information on any of these projects in depth, email Molly Alton Mullins at
mmullins@cbtrust.org.
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About Anne Arundel County Watershed Protection & Restoration Program
The Watershed Protection and Restoration Program, part of the Anne Arundel County Department of
Public Works, is responsible for carrying out the County’s stormwater restoration strategies to improve
local water quality and ensure it meets both federal and state water quality requirements. For more
information about the WPRP visit www.aarivers.org.
About the Chesapeake Bay Trust
The Chesapeake Bay Trust is a nonprofit, grant-making organization dedicated to improving the local
rivers, streams, and other natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay region through environmental
education, community outreach, and local watershed restoration. Since 1985, the Trust has awarded $70
million in grants and engaged hundreds of thousands of citizen stewards in projects that have a
measurable impact on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The Trust is supported by the sale of the
Maryland Treasure the Chesapeake license plate, donations to the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered
Species Fund on the Maryland State income tax form, donations from individuals and corporations, and
partnerships with private foundations and government agencies.