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You can make a difference in a variety of ways. For ideas about how you can make changes in your yard, in the park, or in your community, click here. To find out how to volunteer, click here. For ideas on how you can influence the government or media, read on!
What's Hot
Maryland Action Alert: Tell Your Legislators to Oppose Weakening of the Maryland Stormwater Management Act
Attempts are afoot to weaken the Maryland Stormwater Management Act of 2007. Stormwater is the major source of pollution and erosion in Rock Creek. In 2007, the Maryland Legislature acted boldy to reduce the large volumes of polluted stormwater that flow into Rock Creek each time it rains. Now there is pressure to weaken the legislation--and the protection it provides. Call, email, or write your legislators today to tell them that you:
1. Oppose any weakening of the Stormwater Act and regulations; and
2. Support the Raskin-Hucker bill to create local stormwater funds.
To identify or contact your Legislator, click here.
Here is a sample letter you can copy and paste:
Dear ______:
I am writing to urge you to move forward, not backward, for safe, clean water. Please oppose any weakening changes to the Stormwater Management Act of 2007 or the Maryland Department of the Environment regulations implementing this Act. We need strong rules to protect our rivers and creeks and the Chesapeake Bay.
I also urge you to co-sponsor support the Watershed Protection and Restoration bill that would create dedicated funds needed for local programs and green jobs to protect our waterways. Erosion caused by stormwater threatens infrastructure, such as pipes, roads, and bridges. It will be less costly to manage stormwater appropriately now than rebuild our infrastructure.
Sincerely yours,
Montgomery County Water Resources Plan
The Public Hearing Draft of the Montgomery County Water Resources Functional Plan is now available online at: http://www.montgomeryplanning.org/environment/index.shtm. The plan will amend the County’s General Plan as required under HB 1141. The Plan examines Montgomery County’s land use, growth, and stormwater management in the context of adequate drinking water supplies, wastewater treatment capacity, and water quality regulatory requirements.
Klingle Valley Environmental Assessment
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration, as lead agencies, in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), are preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to assess the potential impacts of constructing a multi-use trail within the DDOT right-of-way in Klingle Valley, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The multi-use trail will be constructed on the currently closed segment of Klingle Road between Porter Street NW and Cortland Place NW. For more information and to keep up to date on what's happening with Klingle Valley, click here.
Who's Who
 The large Rock Creek watershed--the land area from which rain and melting snow drain to Rock Creek--is overseen by a number of government agencies with overlapping duties and legal responsibilities. Here are a list of the key agencies with responsibilities for land use and environmental protection in the Rock Creek watershed. It’s confusing at first, but if you are unsure who to call or email, make your best guess and do it! These folks are your public servants and should be happy to help you.
Rock Creek Park
The National Park Service (NPS) oversees Rock Creek Park, a national park located entirely within the District of Columbia. For more information or to express your concerns about matters related to the park,
Write:
National Park Service
3545 Williamsburg Lane NW
Washington, DC 20008
E-mail
Phone:
Headquarters: (202) 895-6000
Visitor Information: (202) 895-6070
Washington, DC
The primary agency in the District of Columbia concerning Rock Creek is the District of Department of the Environment (DDOE). Steve Saari is DDOE’s watershed specialist who can help with Rock Creek related calls:
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(202) 535-2961
The D.C. Council can also be a good place to raise your concerns. Try to determine who your council representative is before calling.
Montgomery County, Maryland
In Montgomery County, Rock Creek flows through land administered by the Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, but the Montgomery County government should be your first stop.
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) home page:
The chief of DEP’s watershed management division is Steve Shofar:
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(240) 777-7700
Staff to the Montgomery Country Council can also be helpful in cutting red tape and translating your concerns into action. Try to determine who your council representative is before calling.
Who Says
You do! Speak out to protect Rock Creek through a letter to the editor or by contacting a reporter.
Gazette Newspapers (Montgomery County):
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Washington Post--Montgomery Extra or District Extra:
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Northwest Current (DC):
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