Koons Toyota Parking Lot Retrofit

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What is polluted runoff?

Parts of the Chesapeake Bay watershed contain a high percentage of impervious cover – paved or other hard surfaces such as roofs and roadways that prevent rain water from being absorbed into the ground.  Instead, water runs along these surfaces, collecting trash and substances such as motor oil, lawn fertilizers, and pesticides.  This polluted stormwater flows into streams and rivers, where it threatens aquatic ecosystems and public health.  

Effective stormwater management, on the other hand, creates safe paths for polluted runoff to be captured and filtered through the ground before it reaches waterways.  This helps keep the environment clean and our communities healthy!

bioretention / rain gardens
before image
Excavating for the new bioretention area. Credit: Spa Creek Conservancy.
after image
The completed bioretention area. Credit: Spa Creek Conservancy.

 

Project location: Annapolis, MD

Problem: Annapolis’ Spa Creek watershed is predominantly comprised of commercial areas with a high percentage of impervious cover.  Parking lots in particular are a major source of contaminants including not only motor oil and debris, but also pavement sealants, which contain carcinogens and can cause environmental degradation.  Koons Toyota, a commercial landowner in the watershed, wanted to be part of the solution rather than the problem. When Koons expanded its existing West Street facility, it used the opportunity to retrofit its property to better manage stormwater.

Solution: Working in collaboration with the nonprofit Spa Creek Conservancy, Koons retrofitted its parking lot in order to treat runoff from both the lot and structures at the site.  With funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, Koons created a bioretention area and installed rain gardens and bioswales to filter runoff.  This reduced stormwater pollutant and nutrient loads by 38% to 87%, as well as removing more than 90% of suspended particles.

Scale: 1,772 square foot bioretention area

Funding sources: Annapolis Hyundai; Chesapeake Bay Trust; Koons Toyota; National Fish and Wildlife Foundation; Rich Morton Lincoln-Mercury

 

Contact Information
Mel Wilkins | Spa Creek Conservancy | mel82nd@comcast.net | 410-271-5546
Key project facts
Project Type
Bioretention
Project Scale
$10,000 - $99,000
Story Focus
Environmental Benefits
Community Engagement
Business Partnerships
Stormwater Funds
No
Problem Addressed
Aesthetics
Erosion
Failing Infrastructure
Flooding / Drainage
Runoff Pollution
Year Installed
2013
State Legislative District
30A
Federal Legislative District
MD 3rd