By Laura Gardner, Water Resources Engineer According to the Environmental Protection Agency, sediment is the most common pollutant found in America’s rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs. Soil erosion can create sediment, and when it becomes part of polluted runoff, it can have harmful effects on drinking water supplies, recreation, fisheries, and wildlife. About 70 percent of soil erosion is caused by human land use, particularly construction activities. [epa.gov] Fortunately, the District of Columbia is committed to finding solutions to the sediment problem. The District requires a Soil Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Plan as part of the permit process for [...]

The Center recently wrapped up work with two Maryland neighborhood associations to develop stormwater management plans for their communities.  With each project, the work entailed conducting a field assessment of stormwater retrofit opportunities; prioritizing the resulting projects based on cost-effectiveness, impervious area treated, property ownership and community interest; and developing conceptual designs for the top-ranked retrofits. Both projects were funded by the Chesapeake Bay Trust. Overlook Neighborhood The Overlook neighborhood is a community of approximately 100 properties in Bethesda, Maryland. The Center worked with the Overlook Homeowners Association and the Little Falls Watershed Alliance to identify stormwater retrofit project opportunities [...]