Requirements for SPA Pre-application Minutes

Best Management Practice Monitoring Protocols 

SPA BMP Monitoring Report Checklist

Conservation Plans

Annual Reports 

Background

Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are places where existing water resources or other environmental features directly relating to water resources are of high quality or unusually sensitive; and where proposed land uses would threaten the quality of preservation of those resources or features in the absence of special water quality protection measures which are closely coordinated with appropriate land use controls. Today, there are four SPAs: Upper Rock Creek, Upper Paint Branch, Piney Branch, and Clarksburg.  New SPAs are designated by the County Council, but can be proposed by anyone.

DEP prepares Conservation Plans and coordinates the preparation of Annual Reports that present the latest information we have on the quality of the SPA water resources, important features that need to be protected to maintain these water resources, and the success of the SPA program in allowing needed economic growth to occur while minimizing growth related impacts.

Follow the links to download conservation plans for the SPAs and for copies of previous Annual Reports. For more information, contact us by email at AskDEP@montgomerycountymd.gov

Requirements for SPA Pre-Application Meeting Minutes

Best Management Practice Monitoring Protocols
In order to promote consistency and comparability among BMP monitoring projects, the Department of Environmental Protection, Special Area Protection Program, has developed a BMP sampling protocols document. The document has been written to provide guidance to consultants and others conducting BMP monitoring. It is not the intention of this document to encompass every aspect of BMP monitoring or preclude the use of other protocols or methodologies, but to provide a basis on which to develop monitoring plans and to familiarize the development community with the various aspects and requirements of BMP monitoring.

SPA BMP Monitoring Report Checklist
Consultants must fill out and attach this checklist to their reports to certify that all required items are included. DEP has developed a checklist to provide guidance on report structure and content. The checklist is also intended to ensure report quality.  Consultants must have a reviewer examine the report and certify that it is of good quality before submitting it to DEP.  DEP reviewers also fill out the checklist to confirm that reports meet all requirements.

Conservation Plans
 •  Upper Paint Branch Conservation Plan 

The twelfth annual report on the Special Protection Area (SPA) program summarizes the results of all monitoring completed in the four SPAs through 2008. Monitoring of stream conditions is intended to evaluate water quality and development impacts on water quality. BMP monitoring is intended to evaluate the effectiveness of BMPs in mitigating construction impacts as well as their effectiveness in minimizing post-construction effects on water quality. This report includes the results of stream and best management practice (BMP) monitoring and presents a comprehensive analysis of all available biological, chemical, and physical data collected from 1994 through the 2008 calendar year.
 
Transmission Memo 
 
There are two versions of the report available:
 
The web version below is a smaller file that excludes the Technical Appendices from the main report. The appendices may be downloaded separately.

Annual report - Online Version (4 MB)
 
Technical Appendices for the Online version:
 
Chapter 3 Technical Appendix - BMP Effectiveness (9 MB)
Chapter 4 Technical Appendix - Stream Characteristics (934 KB)
Chapter 5 Technical Appendix - Biological Monitoring (812 KB)

The print version below is a large file that includes the Technical Appendices.

Annual Report - Print Version  (15 MB)

• The web version below is a smaller file that excludes the Technical Appendices from the main report. The appendices may be downloaded separately.

Annual report - Online Version (3.9 MB)

 

Technical Appendices for the Online version:

 

Chapter 3 Technical Appendix (8.9 MB)

Chapter 4 Technical Appendix (3.5 MB)
Chapter 5 Technical Appendix (1.1 MB)

• The print version below is a large file that includes the Technical Appendices.

 Annual Report - Print Version  (19 MB)
  

2006 SPA Annual Report
The Special Protection Area Program Annual Report 2006 summarizes the results of all monitoring completed in the four SPAs through 2006.  Monitoring of stream conditions is intended to evaluate water quality and development impacts on water quality.  Results for each SPA are evaluated independently to characterize local trends and impacts to water quality.  The results of developer- managed monitoring of BMPs is also included.  BMP monitoring is intended to evaluate the effectiveness of BMPs in mitigating construction impacts as well as their effectiveness in minimizing post-construction effects on water quality. 

2005 SPA Annual Report
The 2005 Special Protection Area Program Annual Report summarizes the results of all monitoring completed in the four SPAs through 2005.  Monitoring of stream conditions is intended to evaluate water quality and development impacts on water quality.  Results for each SPA are evaluated independently to characterize local trends and impacts to water quality.  The results of developer managed monitoring of BMP’s is also included.  BMP monitoring is intended to evaluate the effectiveness of BMP’s in mitigating construction impacts as well as their effectiveness in minimizing post-construction effects on water quality.  The information obtained is to be used to improve the design of future projects.  This report covers the period of 1994-2005.

2004 SPA Annual Report
The 2004 Special Protection Area Annual Report summarizes results of all monitoring completed in the four SPAs through 2004.  DEP monitors stream conditions annually locations throughout the SPAs. Additionally, development projects located within the SPAs are required to monitor representative sediment and erosion control and stormwater management BMPs to determine the effectiveness of these devices in minimizing impacts to the receiving stream. Results of an analysis of sediment and erosion control device effectiveness are presented.  Proposed changes to the current SPA law and their rationale are discussed in the report.  This year, the report has been produced in a smaller, easier to read format.  The Special Protection Area Program began in 1994. This report covers the period of 1994-2004.

2004 SPA Report Cover Letter

2003 SPA Annual Report
The 2003 Special Protection Area Annual Report summarizes results of all monitoring completed in the four SPAs through 2003.  DEP monitors stream conditions annually at 47 fixed locations throughout the SPAs. Additionally, new development projects located within the SPAs are required to monitor on-site conditions to determine effectiveness of site design and stormwater management BMPs (Best Management Practices) in minimizing impacts to the receiving stream.  Status of all new development proposed in the SPAs can also be found in this report.  The Special Protection Area Program began in 1994. This report covers the period of 1994-2003.

2002 SPA Annual Report
The 2002 Special Protection Area Annual Report summarizes results of all monitoring completed in the three SPAs through 2002.  DEP monitors stream conditions annually at 47 fixed locations throughout the SPAs. Additionally, new development projects located within the SPAs are required to monitor on-site conditions to determine effectiveness of site design and stormwater management BMPs (Best Management Practices) in minimizing impacts to the receiving stream.  Status of all new development proposed in the SPAs can also be found in this report.  The Special Protection Area Program began in 1994. This report covers the period of 1994-2002.

Introduction
   Synopsis of SPA Program
   Implementation of SPA Program
Clarksburg SPA
Paint Branch SPA
Piney Branch SPA
Evaluation and Recommendations

2001 SPA Annual Report
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
   Synopsis of SPA Program
    Implementation of SPA Program
Clarksburg SPA
Paint Branch SPA
Piney Branch SPA
Evaluation and Recommendations
    Appendices 1-3

2000 SPA Annual Report