Runoff from impervious surfaces affects local streams by increasing erosion along stream banks, silting in stream beds and depositing trash in waterways. The cumulative effect is a reduction in water quality, aquatic resources and the health of streams and the Chesapeake Bay. To improve the effects of storm water runoff, and thereby improve the quality of the Chesapeake Bay, the Maryland legislature passed the Storm Water Management (SWM) Act of 2007. This Act will significantly affect the design of storm water components for land development projects. Some of the more significant changes are: To review the COMAR revisions and become familiar with all the changes to the Design Manual, please visit the The Maryland Department of the Environment's web site. Baltimore County is in the process of revising its Code to incorporate State-mandated changes. This process will be finalized this fall. Pursuant to COMAR, required changes must be codified by Baltimore County and become effective by May 4, 2010. In order for a project to be grandfathered under current regulations, it must have fully approved sediment control and SWM plans by May 4, 2010. In order to be reasonably assured this deadline will be met, plans should be submitted as soon as possible. The Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management and the Baltimore County Soil Conservation District will review submittals in a timely manner. However, there will come a point when it will be unreasonable to expect approval by May 4, 2010. Therefore, persons who plan to develop land in Baltimore County will need to decide the project should be designed under the new regulations so as to avoid unnecessary time delay and expense.
To review the 2003 SWM Regulations select this link and choose Article 33 Title 4 or you can download a copy in PDF format.
Storm Water Engineering
Phone: 410-887-3768
Fax:410-887-4804
E-mail: deprm@baltimorecountymd.gov
Revised November 9, 2009
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