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DEP’s watershed restoration programs are helping to fix damaged streams, improve water quality and address historical damage caused by urban stormwater pollution. Watershed restoration is a regulatory requirement of the County's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit.
Project Overview
Montgomery County wants to meet watershed-specific restoration goals and water quality standards. The County is developing a strategy to do just that—but we need your input! Please take a few minutes to complete our program evaluation survey.
This page provides:
- Further information on the suggested strategies and plans
- Opportunities to post your comments
- Details on attending public meetings to learn more about these efforts
There are three areas where the county would like your input:
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The MS4 Permit Background
The Permit requires development of a coordinated implementation strategy to meet watershed restoration goals and water quality standards. It also requires the County to evaluate its codes, regulations, standards, policies, and planning process and develop recommendations to implement Environmental Site Design (ESD) to the Maximum Extent Practicable (MEP). The plans and strategies outlined on this site, establish the steps Montgomery County is taking to fulfill the requirements associated with this permit.
On February 16, 2010, MDE issued Montgomery County's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. This 5-year permit complies with the Environmental Protection Agency's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations that require large urban jurisdictions to control pollution from stormwater runoff to the maximum extent practicable.
A draft permit published on September 2, 2008, was followed by a public hearing on November 19, 2008. During the public comment period, MDE received and considered many verbal and written comments. MDE issued its final determination of the permit on February 25, 2009.
Major new provisions of the permit include:
- Requiring restoration of an additional 20 percent of impervious surfaces
- Developing and implementing measurable strategies to reduce trash as part of the County's commitment to a trash-free Potomac River
- Setting pollution limits necessary to meet water quality standards for impaired waters
The EPA's latest estimates are that 20 percent of Maryland's nitrogen load comes from urban and suburban stormwater runoff. Visit the State's web site for more information.
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Watershed-Specific Restoration Plans
For an enlarged version of the map shown above, view the Montgomery
County Watersheds 
(PDF,
1 pg, 1.3Mb) .
There are 7 watershed restoration implementation plans being developed.
For more information about a specific watershed and the associated
plans click on a specific watershed on the map or on the watershed’s
name below.
The goals of these plans are to:
- Identify feasible best management practices (BMPs)
- Quantify the area they treat and the amount of pollutants they can
remove from the stormwater runoff before entering into the County's
streams, rivers, and lakes
The County would like your comments on these plans and how they
can better serve your community. You can participate by:
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Watershed Pre-Assessments
There are 3 watershed pre-assessments that will be completed for
watersheds that have not been previously assessed. The pre-assessments
will be used by the County to develop watershed assessments and
associated implementation plans.
Provide your feedback
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Countywide Restoration Strategy
Based on the implementation plans for each watershed, a Countywide
restoration and implementation strategy will be developed to meet
requirements for stormwater discharge, providing additional stormwater
runoff management, meeting the commitments of the Trash Free Potomac
Watershed Initiative Action Agreement, and establishing a framework
for reporting and evaluating successes—all while including input
from stakeholders.
The County would like your comments on the Countywide Restoration Strategy. You can participate by:
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Environmental Site Design Strategy
In order to meet Maryland's new stormwater regulatory requirements,
Environmental Site Design practices must be used to the Maximum
Extent Practicable (MEP). Montgomery County must review and update
the County code to comply with this.
The first step is defining what MEP means. Then the County will
come up with recommendations to promote the use of Environmental
Site Design and Low Impact Development techniques.
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Provide General Feedback
We want to hear from you. Express your general comments, concerns,
and any alternative considerations you'd like the County to take
into account. Your comments will be submitted in the form of an
email to the County. Periodically, comments will be compiled and
posted for public access.
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