Restoration Plan for Picture Spring Branch

Published: September 17, 2024

We’re thrilled to announce a $116K grant award from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and funding partners US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Chesapeake Bay Program to develop a Watershed Action Plan for the Picture Spring Branch subwatershed of the Severn River, in collaboration with Center for Watershed Protection. Picture Spring Branch is an under-appreciated, non-tidal, freshwater tributary near Odenton that flows into the headwaters of the Severn River.

The project will include desktop and field research to identify and prioritize projects that reduce nutrient pollution, restore wildlife habitat, and improve water quality. SRA is especially looking forward to forging and building relationships with communities and HOAs in Odenton. The plan will create a long-term strategy and identify and prioritize projects that SRA can then move forward to design and build. Projects will be considered in terms of increasing environmental justice, cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and likelihood of success. This is necessary because the Severn River is listed as impaired for nutrients and sediments according to the Clean Water Act and we have an aggressive target to substantially reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment loads to Severn River. We are looking for all types of restoration projects – from treating stromwater runoff to stream restoration to green infrastructure and more.

This Picture Spring Branch Action Plan is the latest and greatest in SRA’s follow through with our overall Severn River Action Plan. Picture Spring Branch is the number three priority subwatershed. We have already put together action plans for Weems Creek (#1 priority) and Spa Creek (#2 priority, in collaboration with the Spa Creek Conservancy) and now we are also beginning to find funding for the design and construction of projects that have been identified there.