Harford County has been awarded a $2 million Maryland Department of Natural Resources grant from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund for local watershed restoration projects to begin in the fiscal year 2017. Harford County will use the funds to construct four projects within the county that will decrease sediment and nutrient loads and improve the water quality of downstream receiving waters. Harford County government, under the administration of County Executive Barry Glassman, has committed $735,000 for project designs, funded by county revenue dedicated to meet state and federal storm water remediation goals.
Harford County selected the following projects based on its assessments of the overall watershed to identify opportunities that will maximize pollutant load reductions. Projects are expected to be completed by April 2018:
Anita C. Leight Estuary Center Parking Lot Storm Water Retrofit, to mitigate storm water runoff by installing permeable pavers, rain gardens and conservation landscaping; this project will also educate and demonstrate the function and value of storm water remediation to the Center’s nearly 15,000 annual visitors;
Bear Cabin Branch Stream and Wetland Restoration, to restore 3,675 feet of stream, including stabilizing stream banks, and restore and reforest 12.6 acres of adjacent wetlands;
Foster Branch at Dembytown Stream Restoration, to restore 2,385 feet of stream; including reconnecting the stream channel to the floodplain, stabilizing streambanks, improving instream habitat and enhancing streamside buffer;
Ring Factory Elementary Storm Water Management Retrofit and Stream Restoration, to upgrade two existing storm water management facilities and restore 1,250 feet of stream to improve water quality.
“Harford County is committed to making real improvements in our vital watershed affecting wildlife, water quality, and our overall quality of life,” said County Executive Barry Glassman. “I would like to thank the professionals in our Watershed Protection and Restoration Office for their work, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for partnering with us to enhance our shared natural environment.”
