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September 9, 2009

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Howard County Releases Draft Water Resources Element

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County’s Department of Planning and Zoning has announced the release of the draft Water Resources Element, an amendment to the General Plan 2000. The intent of the Water Resources Element is to ensure a safe and adequate supply of drinking water, and adequate land and water capacity for the treatment of wastewater and stormwater to support future growth needs through 2030.

“The Water Resources Element will help the County manage its water resources more sustainably and will help everyone in the County understand the importance of water conservation and careful use of our water supply and wastewater system,” said County Executive Ken Ulman.

The Water Resources Element is an amendment to the General Plan that is required by State legislation passed in 2006. It is intended to improve the protection of water resources in the County, including groundwater, streams, wetlands, floodplains, lakes and reservoirs.

“The Water Resources Element is intended to help make Howard County’s communities more environmentally sustainable and encourage water conservation and water quality improvements in our local streams and the Chesapeake Bay,” said Marsha McLaughlin, Director of the Department of Planning and Zoning.

The General Plan 2000 contains numerous Policies and Actions related to the protection and restoration of water resources. The draft Water Resources Element amendment incorporates and updates relevant Policies and Actions from General Plan 2000 and adds new Policies and Actions to ensure safe drinking water and adequate wastewater treatment, improve stormwater management and protect and restore floodplains, streams and wetlands. As most land in the County is privately owned, the Policies and Actions also encourage individual actions to help conserve water and improve water quality, such as using low flow toilets, faucets and showerheads, installing rain barrels and rain gardens, minimizing the use of fertilizer and pesticides, and planting trees.

The Howard County Environmental Sustainability Board, which is comprised of environmental experts, advises the County Executive and the County Council on environmental matters and is serving as a citizen’s advisory committee for the Water Resources Element amendment. The Board and the Department of Planning and Zoning will be holding two public meetings to discuss the draft Water Resources Element amendment, the first is to be held on Tuesday, September 29 at the Ellicott City Senior Center, 9401Frederick Road and the second on Thursday, October 1 at the Glenwood Senior Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville. The meetings will begin at 7 p.m.

The draft Water Resources Element amendment and information about upcoming meetings is available on the County’s website at: www.howardcountymd.gov/DPZ/Environment/waterresourceselement.htm.