For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently completed a massive project to restore the Turkey Branch watershed that has reestablished the stream’s ecological health and provided an urbanized area with a natural amenity. To celebrate the completion of the this first phase of stream restoration and the opening of the Matthew Henson Trail alongside it, DEP, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and other agencies are sponsoring a community event on Saturday, May 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the parking lot behind the Global Mission Church, 13421 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring.
Activities on Saturday will include a children’s scavenger hunt, guided tours on the Matthew Henson Trail to learn about the stream restoration process, ways to go green and information about future projects slated for the Turkey Branch watershed.
Turkey Branch was nearly destroyed by fast-flowing stormwater discharges that eroded and damaged the banks and bottom of the stream channel. Hard, smooth surfaces, like concrete and pavement, speed up runoff and carry urban pollutants directly into the
waterways. Pollutants include sediment, debris, litter, leaking auto fluids, excess chemicals, fertilizers, pet waste and other waste. Turkey Branch flows into Rock Creek, a tributary of the Potomac River, which eventually flows into the Chesapeake Bay.
Much of the Turkey Branch watershed was developed in the 1950’s and 1960’s before there were requirements for stormwater management for new developments. Impervious surfaces such as houses, roads and parking lots cover about one-third of the entire watershed. The high percentage of impervious surfaces and the lack of stormwater controls resulted in severe stream bank erosion, exposure of buried sewer lines and the destruction of aquatic habitat in Turkey Branch.
To restore the stream, DEP reestablished natural stream meanders; planted 30,000 trees, shrubs, and wetland plants along stream banks to prevent erosion; and created natural pools and rocky features to help create aquatic habitats. The restoration project cost $4.3 million, with more than one-third of the funding provided by the Maryland State Highway Administration and Federal Highway Administration.
The next phase of the Turkey Branch restoration will include adding stormwater controls for the Aspen Hill library and the identification of other opportunities to add stormwater controls to schools and roads within the watershed. In addition, DEP’s Rainscapes Program is providing financial incentives to residents and businesses to manage runoff from their properties using techniques like rain barrels, cisterns, rain gardens, and planting native trees, shrubs and other vegetation.
“We need every resident of the watershed to recycle and properly dispose of trash, yard waste and chemicals to keep these pollutants out of our streams,” said Department of Environmental Protection Director Bob Hoyt. “While our restoration efforts have improved Turkey Branch, it is up to everyone living or working in the watershed to protect it by helping to reduce impacts to our fragile aquatic ecosystem.”
To help maintain a watershed’s environmental health, residents can protect stream water quality if they:
• Pick up litter and pet waste;
• Stop hosing lawn clippings and yard waste down the storm drain;
• Delay applying fertilizers and pesticides until after a rainstorm; and
• Stabilize loose soil to prevent sediment pollution.
Residents are urged to report storm drain violators or those who dump waste illegally. To report violations, or for more information about preventing stormwater pollution or using better stormwater management practices at home, call DEP at 240-777-7700 or visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DEP.
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Media Contact: Esther Bowring, 240-777-6507