NEWS
August 11, 2001
THE GOALS were put forth 39 years ago: reduce the nation's water-polluting discharges to zero and make waterways clean enough for swimming and fishing. We haven't come close to meeting those ambitious targets, contained in the Clean Water Act of 1972. But the debate taking place among members of the Anne Arundel County Council right now provides one example of the progress since the days when little attention was paid to the harm that development can do to streams, rivers and oceans - and estuaries like our Chesapeake Bay. The Arundel council is debating the degree to which commercial property owners must reduce storm runoff - especially from asphalt parking lots and rooftops - if they decide to redevelop their property.
FEATURES
By Timothy B. Wheeler | March 3, 2010
Environmental advocates, stream restoration experts and local officials urged state lawmakers Tuesday to require all jurisdictions to charge property owners a fee to deal with the Chesapeake Bay's growing problem - pollution washing off lawns, driveways, buildings and parking lots. Members of the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee heard opposing views on legislation requiring a "storm-water remediation fee" for every city, county and town. Polluted runoff from urban and suburban lands is a significant and growing source of pollution fouling the Chesapeake Bay, advocates noted.
NEWS
By Cindy Parr and Cindy Parr,Contributing writer | August 25, 1991
Despite earlier attempts by a local developer to solve the problem, a Hampstead community is plagued with a storm water management dilemma.Residents of Small Crossings are concerned about a drainage area that has become an eyesore in the development at Fairmount and Upper Beckleysville roads.Residents are especially concerned that the homeowners association may be responsible if any nearby houses -- not located in the development -- are damaged."We are trying to get some help in regards to the problem we are having with our storm water management drain inSmall Crossings," said Steve Harmon, president of the homeowners group.
NEWS
By Liz Atwood and Liz Atwood,Staff Writer | September 24, 1993
The State Highway Administration plans to begin rebuilding the natural stream banks of the Jabez Branch next summer in an effort to restore the only natural trout stream in Maryland's coastal plane.But Robert A. Bachman, director of the Fish, Heritage and Wildlife Administration with the Department of Natural Resources, said more needs to be done if the stream is to be saved. He said surges of warm storm-water runoff continue to threaten the trout that spawn and live in the Jabez Branch, a shallow Severn River tributary running through Gambrills and Severn.
NEWS
BY A SUN STAFF WRITER | April 6, 2005
Fees will be reduced in Carroll County for small developers who incorporate grassy swales, shoulders and other techniques to capture storm water - rather than relying on ponds that the county must maintain. The change was approved yesterday by the county commissioners and means a savings of at least $500 for developers of three or fewer lots, said Martin B. Covington III, storm-water program engineer for the county Bureau of Resource Management. The permitted measures include the use of grassy swales, reduced slopes and grass shoulders along small subdivision roads.
NEWS
By Anne Haddad and Anne Haddad,Staff writer | April 1, 1992
A 95-home development that received final approval from the Planningand Zoning Commission Monday night will send more cars onto an already congested Route 30, the State Highway Administration said.But the state told the town in a letter that because Shiloh Run wouldn't empty directly onto any state highways, it's up to the town to say yes or no to the developer.On Monday, the town said yes."This is the United States of America," Commission Chairman and Councilman Arthur C. Moler said. "Everybody has a right to buy and own a home.