County Executive Steve Schuh Tours Completed Annapolis Stormwater Project; Highlights Budget Investments to Clean Up Our Waterways

Annapolis, MD (July 22, 2015) – County Executive Steve Schuh, Councilman Chris Trumbauer, and other county officials this morning toured the Old Bay Ridge Culvert Repair, a stormwater management project.
 

“The waterways of Anne Arundel County are part of our heritage,” said Schuh. “We are committed to effecting a major improvement in water quality in our county, and the investments in the 2016 budget will help us reach our goal." 
 

As part of the county's effort to help reduce stormwater pollution that drains into our rivers and can threaten our aquatic habitat, the failed culvert near Old Bay Ridge Road in Annapolis was identified as being in need of replacement. The failing culvert had caused several sinkholes to form, and stream flow appeared to be ineffective  The area also posed a threat of flooding to the adjacent community. 
 

"This project is a great example of collaboration between the community and the county to address an urgent need and continue our long-term effort to restore the health of our local waters,” said Councilman Chris Trumbauer during the event.
 

Work to repair and restore this structure included breaching the existing 200 foot long, 60 foot wide, and 20 foot high railroad embankment, removing the deteriorated storm drain pipe, and establishing a stable stream channel through the breached areas by installing a Step Pool Storm Conveyance (SPSC) system. A SPSC System is a unique solution to handle and filter stormwater runoff of mostly impervious surface area. The SPSC System will safely convey high flows of stormwater and will reduce nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment runoff in the downstream wetland.
  

The enacted FY 2016 budget continues the funding of similar projects that clean up our waterways and the Bay through $70 million to support critical projects, including 1.5 miles of stormwater pipe repairs, over 300 outfall projects, 74 stormwater pond retrofits, and 9 miles of stream restorations.