Maryland Black Mayors Advancing Stormwater Management
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!
Project Location: Prince George's County, MD
Problem: Residents across several Maryland Black Mayors, Inc. (MBM) communities in Prince George's County were experiencing flooding issues. From flooded basements to sodden front yards, these low-low lying communities along the Anacostia River sought help from their local leaders.
Solution: MBM leaders brought technical assistance directly to the flood-prone homeowners. With funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, six municipalities partnered with the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center and the Anacostia Watershed Society to pair stormwater experts with homeowners to identify their primary concerns and provide education and potential solutions for stormwater management.
Scale: The project yielded nine trees, 21 conservation landscapes, and 31 rain barrels installed across 30 residences.
Cost: $234,500.00
Funding Source: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Small Watershed Grant Program
Contact Information: Natalia Sanchez, Program Manager, UMD EFC, nsanchez@umd.edu
