Anne Arundel Citizens for Responsible Development – Stormwater Management Permit Review

The South Arundel Citizens for Responsible Development (SACReD) is a not-for-profit citizens environmental organization located in southern Anne Arundel County, Maryland.  SACReD opposed the development of a 32-unit residential area adjacent to Deep Cove Creek.  One of their key concerns was that the proposed stormwater management system, although approved by the County, was not effective in protecting riparian areas and the creek from contaminants in the runoff.  SACReD hired ATR Associates to review and comment on the permit, and to present the findings of the review to the Anne Arundel County Board of Appeals.

Although the Board of Appeals ultimately upheld the permit as issued, the Chairman of the Board wrote the following in the Memorandum of Opinion:

"   While I concur that the Petitioner has met its burden of proof relative to the grading permit application, I would adopt, in full, the recommendation of Mr. Stanford.  He described in detail the stormwater management facilities proposed by the applicant.  He also provided a contrasting stormwater management proposal, which I find far superior.  Since this property is within the Critical Area and directly adjacent to Deep Cove Creek, I conclude that for the protection of the public's welfare and for the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, these best management practices must be implemented here.

   Within the parking area at the residential development pod is a unique opportunity to create a centralized rain garden pursuant to the vision of Mr. Stanford.  All stormwater draining across the parking lot would be collected in the center within a vegetated basin.  Thus, all of the heavy metals from the automobiles utilizing the parking lot would be focused into the rain garden.  This basin would be installed with a three-inch layer of mulch that would be periodically removed (along with any contaminants). Unlike the Petitioner's proposal, which permits the heavy metals to infiltrate the ground surrounding the parking lot and between the lot and the creek, Mr. Stanford's plan would prevent the metals from impacting Deep Cove Creek and the surrounding area.  The only area of impact would be the manmade rain garden that would be periodically revised to remove all contaminants.

   We must require development methods that would be the best for the environment. In this case, we have the opportunity to place a stormwater management plan that would prevent the heavy metal laden runoff from entering the environment. To do otherwise would be unconscionable."

                                          /Signed /Anthony V. Lamartina, Chairman

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