Howard County Library System Savage Branch to Be Stormwater Model

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Howard County Government
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February 6, 2014

 

Howard County Library System Savage Branch To Be Stormwater Model

 

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Ken Ulman announced today that site renovations are beginning at the Howard County Library System Savage Branch that will make it a model of best practices for stormwater treatment.

 

The project will add pervious pavement to the library’s parking area, a bioretention drainage swale and cistern to collect rainwater that will flow from the library’s roof. Those exterior projects and others will cost $1 million, and will begin on or about Thursday, February 13.

 

“Every project we undertake is built with an eye toward environmental sustainability,” County Executive Ulman said.  “Our residents want us to do all we can to protect the Chesapeake Bay, and this means reducing polluted runoff from public facilities.  We hope our residents recognize the value of this project, and the many more to come, and the positive impact these investments will play in our efforts to preserve this vital watershed.”

 

The library is located at 9525 Durness Lane in Laurel.

 

“We can and should lead by example,” said Councilmember Jen Terrasa, who represents District 3, which includes the library.  “This library will be a model for stormwater management.”

 

Weather permitting, the Savage Branch Library site improvement project is expected to be completed in June.  The project is not expected to impact vehicular traffic; however, small segments of the sidewalk on Knights Bridge Road and Gorman Road may be closed for a portion of the project.

 

Howard County has been a leader in responsible stormwater management.  Last year, the Howard County Council approved a Watershed Protection and Restoration Plan that is expected to collect $9.5 million yearly for improvement projects. Previously, County Executive Ulman had committed $22 million over the past two years for such projects.

 

The money will be used for stream restorations, pond retrofits, bioretention areas, asphalt reduction and other projects, in order to meet a federally required target of making sure that 20 percent of Howard County’s untreated impervious surface is being treated by 2019.

 

Pollutants and chemicals washed into streams and rivers by rainwater from impervious surfaces is a major source of local stream and Chesapeake Bay degradation.

 

For questions and concerns about Capital Project D-1164, contact Lisa Brightwell, Public Works Customer Service, at 410-313-3440 or by email to publicworks@howardcountymd.gov.

 

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