March 5, 2008

Stormwater Committee Meeting
March 5, 2008

Attendees:
Emily Sudbrink
Jim Fary (guest)
Ed Murtagh
Ann Hoffnar
Holly Olson
Kathy Michels

Outreach

• Outreach 101. The workshop is described in the February notes. Thirty people have registered so far, exceeding expectations. We are looking forward to a beneficial session.

Working with Schools

• Northwood High School. Holly, Ed, Pam Rowe and Jenny Reed, at the students’ request recently went to talk with them. Northwood students are working with the University of Maryland School of Urban Design to survey the Wheaton CBD to identify ways to “green” the Wheaton redevelopment process. We would like to help them with surveys they have planned. We could work with the students and Wheaton citizen’s associations.
• SSIMS Outdoor Classroom. Emily filled us in on developments at the school. They have held a design charette and will be getting a report soon. The courtyard will be used as an outdoor classroom and can include rain gardens. Originally the school wanted to hold an event to dedicate the raingardens on April 12th. This, however, is too early. Perhaps if we do a groundbreaking that day and plant a few token plants. This would require digging and preparing the soil on the 5th. Emily will keep us informed. Planning details include: Emily needs soil mix and plants, which DEP can probably furnish; Gina will involve the kids in the school as part of her “Green Kids” program; perhaps we could also talk to the Green Club at the school; we need to ask Jenny what size rain gardens she has in mind–probably two 10′ x 5′.

Working with Neighborhoods to Install Rain Gardens

• Grouping raingardens in close proximity increases the chances that contractors will bid on them and bring down the cost per rain garden. Holly’s neighborhood is available. Out of 7 homes surveyed by Jenny and Holly, 5 would work. They are in Forest Estates. In addition, Kit Gage’s neighborhood, which is nearby, has 3 potential sites. This could get the price down to perhaps $1200 per yard because of “bundling.” Other advantages to this kind of grouping are promoting community spirit, interesting other neighbors, and showcasing the Rainscapes program.
• Jenny can buy plants in bulk. Contractors would do the heavy lifting. All gardens need to be professionally designed. Bundling will help bring down the design cost. The idea would be to have professionally designed and installed rain gardens at an affordable cost.
• What do we want home owners to do? We need to develop a structure: what are the homeowner’s responsibilities? what are the contractor’s responsibilities? what is our role?

Miscellaneous

• Youth Conservation Corp. Pam Rowe has signed a contract with the YCC to maintain raingardens. She will train the youths. We may get some help with maintaining our rain gardens at Eastern Middle School and Northwood High School.
• Jim Fary suggests we push conservation easements with tax incentives.
• Meo Curtis says we can not assume that we will get the $75,000 in rainscape grants in the next fiscal year. Since this money is dedicated funding from the Water Quality Protection Charge, we need to make sure the County comes through with it.
• The Anacostia Watershed Summit will be held March 22nd.