The EFC’s work with the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission (NSVRC) focused on helping several counties in the region address new state stormwater regulations that require each jurisdiction to develop (1) a stormwater ordinance, (2) a stormwater staffing plan, and (3) a stormwater financing strategy.

The EFC’s Watershed Implementation Plan Financing Project was designed to expand the ability and capacity of local governments and communities to achieve water quality restoration goals and priorities through more efficient stormwater financing. Specifically, through this project, the EFC worked with three pilot communities, including Lynchburg, Virginia, on a four-phased process to assess and expand capacity to finance stormwater activities in a way that maximized environmental, economic, and social return on investment.

The Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at the University of Maryland and the City of Salisbury analyzed the City's stormwater program to determine permit requirements and future needs, and to identify strategies for enhancing the level of service. The project also included engaging the community to improve their understanding of Salisbury’s stormwater issues and collecting their input on stormwater programming needs in the City.

In 2012, the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at the University of Maryland was selected by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to provide technical assistance on Oxford’s stormwater management. Over the course of the one-year project, the EFC and project partners provided educational outreach and analytical assistance to address recurring stormwater and tidal driven flooding.

With support from the Maryland Department of Environment, engineering students from the A. J. Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland College Park conducted field investigations to confirm the location and sizes of existing stormwater system structures and pipes. The students collected the data for a Master Stormwater Plan, ultimately to be used in the administration of the Town’s Stormwater Management Ordinance and in the future development of a stormwater capital maintenance budget and plan.

The goal of the project was to provide Calvert County leaders with the framework for a financing system that will enable the community to achieve water quality restoration and protection goals in the most efficient and effective way possible.  Specifically, through this project the EFC and its partners developed a methodology that will enable Calvert County leaders to target investments in water quality restoration and protection in a way that reduces costs, increases benefits, and improves environmental performance.

In August 2012, the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at the University of Maryland began a stormwater financing feasibility study for the City of Bowie. With funding from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Watershed Assistance Collaborative, the goal of the project was to provide recommendations to the City of Bowie on ways to finance and better manage stormwater protection activities for the long term. The EFC also conducted stormwater related outreach and educational activities targeted to the general public, community leaders, and elected officials.

In the summer of 2011, the Environmental Finance Center began working with the Town of Berlin, MD – an Eastern Shore community with a population of approximately 4,000 – to complete a stormwater financing feasibility study. Along with an analysis of current and emerging funding needs and an assessment of possible revenue that could be collected by the formation of a stormwater utility, the EFC conducted community outreach that included a Stormwater Photo Contest.

The Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at the University of Maryland's Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) Financing project was designed to expand the ability and capacity of local governments and communities to achieve water quality restoration goals and priorities through more efficient stormwater financing. Specifically, through this project, the EFC worked with Anne Arundel County as one of three pilot communities on a four-phased process to assess and expand capacity to finance stormwater activities in a way that maximized environmental, economic, and social return on investment.

Working on local watershed issues? Engaged in stormwater outreach and environmental education? Advocating for better environmental outcomes in your community? If you answered “yes,” then the MOST Center is for you! The MOST Center provides a free, self-paced online educational platform with content developed and evaluated by trusted sources, including stormwater and instructional design experts.