Groundbreaking "Green Streets" Rules Release by Montgomery County' Public Comment Sought
Montgomery County recently released draft regulations that would be the first in the country to mandate use of “green streets” techniques to reduce roadway runoff. The green streets approach uses specially-designed planting areas to capture and treat polluted rainwater that runs off our roadways. Green streets techniques have long been used on a demonstration basis, but Montgomery would be the first to require that they be used in all roadway projects.
Link to to see a pdf of the draft Green Streets regulations, which are included as part of a larger roadway package on pages 47-52.
- Link to Green Streets recommendations from stakeholder committee, which the County used as the basis for its groundbreaking regulations
- Link to additional Green Streets studies recommended by the stakeholder committee (not part of the new regulations)
For more information: See Potomac Conservancy’s press release or continue reading below.
What are Green Streets?
Roadways are one of the largest sources of polluted runoff in Montgomery County, as they are in almost all developed areas. When rainwater hits streets, it runs off into rivers and streams, carrying a payload of sediment, pollution, oils, and trash. “Green streets” techniques prevent this pollution problem by capturing and slowing the flow of stormwater off the roads, and infiltrating it down into the ground or filter it to slow and clean its discharge. Familiar-looking but specially-designed landscaping features including grassy medians, street trees, and sidewalk planters do double duty, helping collect and filter polluted stormwater as they beautify our neighborhoods.
Reducing polluted runoff from our roads using green streets techniques is a critical step towards addressing the larger stormwater problem in the Potomac Watershed. For more information on stormwater problems and solutions, click here.
Green Streets Programs Across the Nation:
- Portland, Oregon: www.portlandonline.com/BES/index.cfm?c=44407
- New York, New York: www.streetsblog.org/2008/02/14/greenstreets-of-new-york-new-and-improved/ and www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/trees_greenstreets.html
- Seattle, Washington: www.seattle.gov/UTIL/About_SPU/Drainage_&_Sewer_System/Natural_Drainage_Systems/Street_Edge_Alternatives/index.asp
- Federal Green Highways Partnership: www.greenhighways.org/.
Advocacy Events
Community Celebrates Completion of
On October 25, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett joined Action in Montgomery, a faith-based organization, and community members to celebrate the completion of the 3,300-foot
Since the sidewalk is adjacent to a designated Special Protection Area, a more creative, environmentally sensitive design was used. DOT installed a sidewalk made of porous concrete, an innovation that allows water to seep through the walkway and be absorbed into the ground. Conventional concrete is impervious, so water simply runs off. The runoff can stress the environment by dumping pollutants and high volumes of water into nearby creeks and streams. If the porous material proves durable and effective, it may be used in other parts of the county where better management of stormwater runoff is needed.
The sidewalk was completed on October 10 and cost $306,000. (From Go
Success Stories
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Road Code Montgomery County (Md.) Council voted unanimously to adopt guidelines that ensure that streets are designed with all users in mind---pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders and drivers. The law also requires that county roads minimize polluted stormwater runoff. Urban Tree Canopy Frederick |
WV Conservation Funding The West Virginia legislature recently approved its first ever statewide fund for land conservation – the West Virginia Outdoor and Rural Heritage Trust Fund. With a dedicated statewide fund, West Virginia can begin protecting its most important lands, resulting in better quality of life for West Virginians, and better water quality downstream. The Conservancy is a founding member of the Coalition of West Virginia Land Trusts, which studied the options for state-level land conservation funding. | Add Your Story Here... |
The Fairfax County portion of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (PHNST) is largely complete and lives up to its name. With your support, two of the few remaining gaps can soon be filled, in spectacularly scenic fashion. Both opportunities, however, face stiff resistance.
As we noted back in March, Army officials are trying to build the Fort Belvoir section of trail in an unappealing location next to busy U.S. Route 1 at a cost of $6 million, instead of using existing trails and dirt and gravel roads in the secluded Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge.
To fill the trail gap between Great Falls Park and Scotts Run Nature Preserve, the PHNST needs to cross the Madeira School's property. There are at least two possible scenic routes, the ideal route being along the Potomac, turning inland along the eastern boundary to Georgetown Pike. The Countywide Trails Plan obliges the Madeira School to allow trail access along the Potomac at its property, but advocates are encountering resistance.
Take Action: Contact Fairfax County Supervisors Connolly, Foust, and Hyland, and ask them to support scenic trail alignments at Ft. Belvoir and the Madeira School. Click here for a sample letter.
Supervisor Foust dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov
Chairman Connolly chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov
Supervisor Hyland mtvernon@fairfaxcounty.gov
For more information: Contact Fairfax Trails & Stream at FairfaxTrails@aol.com.