Lawns polluting the Bay? But what about the farms? This year, the Chesapeake Stormwater Network, an advocacy group found that turf grass was the largest "crop" in the Chesapeake watershed -more a problem than any crop grown on farms.

 

New thinking is required in order to have an environmentally-conscious yard. Rainwater that falls onto lawns runs into storm sewers mixing with runoff from parking lots and roads ultimately end up in the watershed. This is an urban area's wash water and it accounts for 8% of the nitrogen and 15% of the phosphorus entering the Chesapeake. It continues to grow because of development. The states envision more areas of grassy ditches to slow down runoff.

 

Ideally the first option is to replace grass with native plants that need no fertilizer and less watering.

 

Or, homeowners could replace some of their grass with a "rain garden" which catches the water in a depression and lets it soak into the roots of trees and shrubs. Other more expensive options are permeable pavers.

 

Montgomery County, Maryland (RainScapes) and the District (RiverSmart) provides guidance and a rebate up to $1200 for Residential Property (and up to $5000 for Commercial, multi-family, or institutional property, RainScapes program only).

 

For new development the proposed EPA rules could be costly. In Annapolis, authorities have outlawed most use of fertilizer containing phosphorus on lawns. Virginia and Maryland officials said they could Imagine other jurisdictions adopting similar rules. In Montgomery County drainage rules enacted in 2007 apply when there are significant additions on small lots. 

 

So what are the RainScapes and RiverSmart program? The RainScapes program promotes and implements projects on residential, institutional, and commercial properties to reduce stormwater pollution. The County offers technical and financial assistance (in the form of rebates) to encourage property owners to implement eligible RainScapes techniques on their property.

 

Maximum Residential Rebates: $1,200

Maximum Commercial, Multi-Family, Institutional Rebates: $5,000 total; based on $1/ sf impervious area treated or $2,500/rain garden, whichever $ is greater.
 

Residential: $250 - 750; $1/square feet - minimum 250 square feet

Commercial: $3,000; $3/square foot - 350 square feet minimum

 

Residential: $600 per lot; $150/tree 

Commercial: $600 per lot; $150/tree 

 

Residential: $1,200; 100 square foot minimum

Commercial: $5,000;  350 square foot minimum

 

Residential: $600 - $1,200; 100 square foot minimum;  rebate amount varies depending on planting material

Commercial: $1,800 - $5,000; 300 square foot minimum; 

rebate amount varies depending on planting material

 

Residential: $1,200; 300 square feet or % of roof- retrofit

Commercial: $5,000; 300 square feet or % of roof- retrofit

 

Residential: $200 (must capture 200 gallons)

Commercial: $200 (must capture 200 gallons)

 

Residential: $500 ($1/gallon stored, 250 gallons min.)

Commercial:$2,000 ($1/gallon stored, 250 gallons min.)

 

Residential: $600 

Commercial: $600 

 

To participate, your property must be located in Montgomery County, Maryland outside of the municipal limits of the City of Rockville, City of Takoma Park, or City of Gaithersburg. Projects are not eligible if they are associated with permit approval requirements for new building construction, additions, or renovations. Residents of Gaithersburg can participate in the Gaithersburg RainScapes Program. Residents of the City of Rockville can participate in the Rockville RainScapes Program. 

Want to learn more?

 

Montgomery County, MD:  For questions about RainScapes requirements and rebates
Annual funds for the programs are limited, so rebates will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis.

Washington DC: How to Become a RiverSmart Home
Schedule the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) to come out to your  residential property to perform an analysis of what changes you can make to reduce stormwater runoff. Simply fill out an online application.