Special Protection Area Annual Report Highlights Efforts To Safeguard County Streams From Development Strain

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Kevin/SPA.pr 00-301

Contact: Joe Keyser, 240-777-7700
For Immediate Release: August 9, 2000

SPECIAL PROTECTION AREA ANNUAL REPORT
HIGHLIGHTS EFFORTS TO SAFEGUARD COUNTY
STREAMS FROM DEVELOPMENT STRAIN

Coordination between Montgomery County and area developers to minimize development impacts on delicate streams is yielding some success, according to the 1999 Special Protection Area (SPA) annual report. Under the SPA program, which began in 1994, the County's Department of Environmental Protection monitors streams to determine current conditions, and sets environmental performance goals for each development project. Ongoing monitoring at 49 stations allows for identification of possible developmental impacts.

Three areas have been designated as Special Protection Areas: the Clarksburg Master Plan SPA, the Upper Paint Branch SPA, and the Piney Branch Watershed SPA.

Project developers within these areas must work closely with the County Departments of Permitting Services and Environmental Protection, and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission throughout the site planning and development process to ensure that environmental protection measures are incorporated in the development.

The program has produced positive results so far. Overall success of the program will be gauged through an on-going long-term data collection effort. Copies of the report are available online at: http://spa2000.askdep.com and at all County libraries.

For more information, contact Mark Sommerfield at 240-777-7737.

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