The Severn River Association (SRA) helps communities improve their local environment and restore the Severn River. Because good communication is very important, this page will let you know about what’s happening with the stormwater management project in Poplar Woods and Parole Heights. The purpose of the project is to find a solution that will alleviate stormwater flooding between Gross Ave., Bowie Ave. and Poplar Ave. 

SRA is a 501c3 non-profit organization with experience and success at pursuing funding and project management for pollution reduction and environmental restoration. Our vision is a thriving Severn River by 2050, and our mission is to connect the people who live, work, and play on the Severn River to restore and protect it for all of our communities. 

If you ever have any questions or concerns, please contact Ben Fertig at ben@severnriver.org or 301 785 7614. 

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What’s the Big Deal About Stormwater, Anyway?

Great question! 

As you’re probably already well aware, storms can cause flooding and erosion. 

Rainfall, in combination with highly compacted soils, causes excessive ponding in the neighborhood because water is unable to infiltrate down into the ground as it would naturally. This ponding is problematic to the community because it can flood homes, erode soils, and generally be a nuisance. It’s problematic to the environment because when that ponded water moves and wind up in storm drains, it carries with it fertilizer nutrients, pet waste, and soil, and the storm drains direct these right into Weems Creek without any pollution treatment at all. Nutrients sound good, right? We need nutrition after all. 

Yes – but in moderation. 

When there are too many nutrients (either nitrogen or phosphorus), it spurs algae populations to grow out of control. Nitrogen and phosphorus are plant fertilizers, as many gardeners know. Algae also uses nitrogen and phosphorus as fertilizer and its population can grow out of control. The algae population grows so much that it uses up all the nutrients, but then the algae ‘starve’ to death and sink to the bottom of the water. The algae then decompose and the bacteria decomposing the algae use up oxygen, creating dead zones where oxygen levels are too low for most organisms (e.g. rockfish, oysters, and crabs) to survive. Overgrowth of algae and dead zones decrease biodiversity which in turn impacts humans and other organisms that feed and rely on these aquatic organisms. 

SRA water quality monitoring in the Severn River records low oxygen levels frequently during summer that indicates the presence of dead zones throughout the river. This is a problem that starts in your own backyard. 

This project will decrease the ponding and the stormwater runoff that contributes to these dead zones. Additionally, the projects will help curtail property loss, erosion, etc.

Project Environmental Benefits

• Less flooding and erosion
• Decreased nutrient & sediment pollution to Weems Creek and Severn River 
• Improved levels of oxygen and water quality in the Severn – smaller and fewer ‘dead zones’ (maybe we even get rid of them altogether!)
• Native plants will attract pollinators (birds, butterflies, bats and bees)
• Increased biodiversity
• Stronger, more resilient environment

Project Summary

The primary goal of the project is to reduce flooding and ponding in the neighborhood. The secondary goal is to reduce associated erosion that brings nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution into Weems Creek and the Severn River, which has been declared “impaired” under the federal Clean Water Act for these three pollutants.

The City of Annapolis has outlined a general process for restoration projects.

SRA will write grants to help fund the engineering design, obtain required permits and to build better stormwater management. 

The plantings will utilize native species. Native plants have much deeper roots than the grass species typically used in lawns. This is important because roots create spaces where water can infiltrate down into the ground, rather than staying at the surface. The plants will use the nutrients, and the soil can also act as a filter for nitrogen and phosphorus. This means that native plants are great at reducing flooding and treating stormwater pollution to Weems Creek.

Figure 1. Comparison of root depths for non-native plants (left) and native plants (right). Native plants have root structures that go deeper, which also allows water to infiltrate further down into the soil. Note that Fescue Grass, commonly used for lawns, has the shortest root structure. 

SRA will work with the community to further define project goals and desired outcomes. SRA and the community will solicit and select a contractor to design the project. 

There are four stages to the project:

1. Identifying community needs and interests
2. Engineering design and permitting
3. Construction
4. Maintenance

Project Design

SRA wants to make sure that the project is something that the community will enjoy (in addition to all the great environmental benefits). Keep in mind that, as with so many things in life, there are trade-offs to consider. We want to understand what you value so the project will reflect those values. So, right now we want your feedback, especially while the project is still in its early stages. Now is the best opportunity to make sure to get it right. Please let me know what you think. You can email me any time, ben@severnriver.org 

SRA is working with Councilwoman Rhonda Pindel Charles to seek funding from the City of Annapolis for the engineering design. If needed, there are additional grant funding opportunities.  

Below is a concept of what the project could potentially look like. 

Project Construction

SRA will seek construction funding once 60% design is achieved and permits are requested through a combination of grant proposals submitted to Chesapeake Bay Trust, MD Department of Natural Resources (the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund), and/or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (Small Watershed Grant).

Maintenance

Once constructed, SRA will be responsible for maintaining the project for the first five years. Then, responsibility for maintenance will be transferred to the community. Optionally, the community can contract with SRA to continue maintenance services. 

Maintenance obligations are specified in the Maintenance Agreement with the City of Annapolis and include: 

• Weeding, mulching (if/as needed), trash removal, and general aesthetic maintenance
• Vegetation: 85% survival, and it can’t be removed or modified without approval
• City of Annapolis can, during business hours and with advanced notice, verify & inspect the project to ensure maintenance, and this level of access runs with the land
• City of Annapolis will receive the water quality improvement credits
• City of Annapolis will provide structural maintenance (anything really big)
• Post-construction, can’t alter the project without approval

SRA does not have thoroughly vetted estimates of costs for maintenance at this time, but is gathering this information for the future. 

Timeline

• May/June 2024 – community meeting and potential contractor site visits
• July – Dec 2024 – SRA, with support from Alderwoman Pindell Charles will seek funding for engineering design and permitting from the City of Annapolis. 
• Jan 2025 – hear if proposal is funded. If funded, design work begins. If not, identify alternative funding source

• November 2025 – design work completed, permit applications, begin writing proposal(s) for construction funding
• December 2025 – submit construction proposal for ½ of $ to MD DNR
• March 2026 – submit construction proposal for ½ of $ to CBT (for City of Annapolis funding)
• July 2026 – hear if construction is funded from MD DNR and CBT
• August 2026 – construction begins (assuming fully funded)
• December 2026 – construction completed, SRA responsible for maintenance for 5 years
• December 2031 – maintenance responsibility transfers to the community

Ways You Can Help!

Community support is critical to a successful grant proposal. Specifically, there are several ways you can choose to support this project. Any and all are appreciated! 

1. You can allow SRA and/or its contractors to access a site via your property 
2. You can pledge to help volunteer with planting and/or maintaining native plants as part of the project’s installation.
3. This is optional: You can pledge to commit $__________ to help the project succeed. Matching funds will make the application for the grant more competitive. This contribution is tax-deductible and 100% of the dollars will go directly to supporting this project.
4. You can install a rain barrel to capture and slow down stormwater coming off your roof.
5. Other …. There are lots of ways to be involved. If you have an idea or want to discuss, please reach out!

If you are interested in participating in any of the ways above, please reach out to SRA’s Restoration Manager, Ben Fertig: ben@severnriver.org 

Community Questions & Concerns

How much will this project cost?

SRA is currently still getting cost estimates from potential contractors for the engineering design. We will provide that information as soon as we get it. Contributions towards the project are optional but will help. There is no set amount, nor is it tied to a percentage of the proposal request. Any amount is appreciated and will help increase the odds of being funded. Contributions can be sent to SRA, and will be tax-deductible – please contact Ben Fertig ben@severnriver.org if interested.  Also keep in mind that volunteering and provision of in-kind materials or services counts towards this match. 

What happens if the community is not able to maintain the project indefinitely?

SRA is responsible for maintaining the project for the first five years once it is installed. Thereafter, the community is responsible for the maintenance but can choose to contract with SRA to continue the maintenance as desired. The City of Annapolis schedules a check in to see how the project is maintained once every three years. If it is not maintained, first there is a reminder. If still not corrected, the City will perform the maintenance but assess a fee for this. SRA recommends discussing with the City directly if a situation arises where the fee is not paid for any reason. 

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