Community Invited to Help Improve the Loch Raven West and Western Run Watersheds

From Baltimore County EPS:

Baltimore County, MD - Baltimore County’s Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability (EPS) invites people from communities within the Loch Raven West and Western Run watersheds to participate in an upcoming public meeting on the evening of Tuesday, June 28 to discuss ways to protect the watershed. This watershed includes much of western Baltimore County including Upperco, Glyndon, Boring, Butler, Worthington Valley, and the north side of Reisterstown.

The June 28 community meeting will take place at the Historic Emory Grove Hotel, located at 102 Waugh Avenue, Reisterstown, MD 21136, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

Who Should Participate?

This public meeting offers a chance for community residents, business people, community and environmental groups and anyone interested in clean water to get involved and learn about the project to date, and most importantly, provide suggestions about their vision and priorities for the watershed. The purpose of the SWAP is to collaboratively form a vision statement and goals document with the public and identify goals and objectives to improve natural areas in the watershed.
In addition to the SWAP plan information, there will be an informative guest presentation on proper care and maintenance for septic systems.

Background of Small Watershed Action Plans in Maryland

For more information on Baltimore County’s Small Watershed Action Plans (SWAPs), please call the Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability at 410-887-8240 or click here.
The Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability is responsible for the protection of the environment and the improvement of the quality of life for the citizens of Baltimore County. This is accomplished through programs that manage and enhance natural and man-made resources, and that provide environmental guidelines to our constituents.
In the late 1990s, national stormwater permits required major counties in Maryland to reduce pollution from roads and neighborhoods that drain to local streams. Counties began monitoring programs and prepared watershed plans to identify projects and programs that could reduce pollution from these non-point sources. Many projects were completed and reductions tallied in annual reports. Much progress was made, however additional reductions are needed to have clean water that meets water quality standards.
To reach these additional reductions, Baltimore County is developing Small Watershed Action Plans (SWAPs) to focus on communities as smaller groups and to identify specific solutions that are tailored to local areas. They are used by Baltimore County in conjunction with citizen groups to implement actions that create and maintain healthy watersheds.