Anne Arundel

Local Stormwater Legislation—at Last

The Watershed Restoration and Protection Act sets up a funding mechanism to tackle Anne Arundel county's

Bear Creek Before Restoration

Bear Creek After Restoration

obligations under its federal stormwater permit (NPDES) and EPA's new TMDL blueprint to restore local waters and the Bay. A dedicated funding source is essential to meeting TMDL requirements for stormwater, estimated to be $900 million.

Over half the streams in Anne Arundel County are severely degraded and, as a result, dump tons of sediment into our rivers with every big rainfall. This bill will provide the resources to begin restoring these streams to their natural biological function as stormwater runoff filters.

Initially, this legislation would generate $26.5 million for restoration activities generated by reasonable fees on all landowners. See Read More for specifics.

This legislation, which is supported strongly by the Leopold Administration was developed by a Task Force led by Councilman Chris Trumbauer and Councilman Dick Ladd that included representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, residential and commercial developers, maritime industry and the environmental community.

This is a landmark bill for Anne Arundel County's most important environmental resource-our waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. With the passage of this bill we can begin restoring these waterways to a healthy state that we all - including our children and grandchildren -- deserve.

Read more: Local Stormwater Legislation—at Last

Critical Area Legislation Needs Your Support

Since 1985 State and County law has regulated development in the 1,000 foot buffer to minimize disturbance and prevent pollution to our waterways. A strong critical area law is especially important in Anne Arundel County where we have 530 miles of shoreline.

Important new provisions include:

• Added protection for 15% or greater steep slopes in the 1,000 ft buffer;
• Require developers to reserve 1% of developable area for future owners to add small improvements such as sheds or decks;
• Requires a meeting with Planning and Zoning prior to applying for a critical area variance to avoid homeowners spending money on plans that will be difficult or impossible to permit;
• Authorizes fines for critical violations of up to $10,000 with daily accrual;
• Expands definition of who can participated in variance and appeal hearings;
• Allows the designation of new Bogs in the County

Send a message to your Councilman to support the proposed Critical Area legislation, Bill 93-12, and vote against amendments to weaken it.

Read more: Critical Area Legislation Needs Your Support

Speak Up! Let Your County Councilman Hear from YOU!

County Council representatives depend on your votes and they will respond to your views--if they hear them.  Important issues are coming up this year in the Council, including Critical Area and Stormwater Restoration legislation.  On this page we will try to keep you informed of what is happening in the Council.  It's your job to let your councilman know what's important to you.  To find out how....

Read more: Speak Up! Let Your County Councilman Hear from YOU!