​Howard County Public Works To Host Public Meetings On Watershed Assessment

From Howard DPW: Howard County Department of Public Works will hold two public meetings to discuss the findings from a comprehensive assessment of the main stem of the county’s Patuxent River and the Patapsco River watersheds.

The assessment measured the current environmental conditions and identified restoration opportunities that could be considered for capital improvement projects. These projects would help improve water quality in the County’s streams and rivers, and ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay. Projects being considered include: stream restoration; adding water quality treatment to existing stormwater management ponds; constructing new stormwater management facilities; performing reforestation and stabilizing existing storm drain pipe outfalls.

With both watersheds encompassing such a large area, the assessment was split into five study areas: the South Branch Patapsco River; Lower North Branch Patapsco River; Brighton Dam/Triadelphia Reservoir; Rocky Gorge Reservoir and Upper Patuxent River watersheds. A map depicting the five study areas is available on the County’s website at www.howardcountymd.gov/SWM. To reflect these study areas, the department will hold two public meetings:

South Branch Patapsco River and Lower North Branch Patapsco River Watersheds

• Monday, Jan. 23, Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 2400 Route 97, Dayton Room, Cooksville, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Brighton Dam/Triadelphia Reservoir, Rocky Gorge Reservoir and Upper Patuxent River Watersheds

• Thursday, Jan. 26, Roger Carter Community Center, 3000 Milltowne Road, Ellicott City, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.

County representatives will share with attendees the findings of field studies, describe the next steps in the assessment study, review possible restoration techniques and priority restoration sites and discuss the status of the countywide plan to meet local and Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load goals.

An interpreter for people who are deaf or hard of hearing will be available if requested seven working days prior to the meeting. Please call the Department of Community Resources and Services at 410-313-6400 (voice) or use Relay at 7-1-1, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

An RSVP is requested, but not required, for those planning to attend a meeting. To RSVP or for questions or more information about Capital Project D-1148, contact Christine Lowe with the Department of Public Works’ Stormwater Management Division at cslowe@howardcountymd.gov.

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