Green Streets are roadway designs that reduce and filter rainfall and pollutants that wash off surface areas (stormwater runoff), and enter our streams, degrading the water quality of our local streams and rivers. The technique of using vegetation to capture and absorb rainfall runoff into the soil instead of conveying it via pipes and drains into a separate stormwater pond is often referred to as Low Impact Development (LID).
The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (MCDEP) is proposing 176 new LID installations in the County right-of-way areas
throughout the Franklin Knolls and Clifton Park neighborhoods for enhanced stormwater management.
The Northwest Branch has been degraded by years of uncontrolled/untreated storm flows which impacts habitat for fish and other aquatic life and pollutes
the water. The impact on water quality not only affects the ecosystem, it can also directly affect human health and safety, as referenced by this
Washington Post article . This project is part of the County’s need to meet Federal and State mandates to control and treat stormwater runoff. The goals of this project are to reduce stormwater runoff, minimize pollution, promote infiltration, and restore stream conditions in the Northwest Branch, the Anacostia River, and the Chesapeake Bay.
As the design is refined, the number and type of proposed facilities may change. This is due mainly to utilities, street trees, and considerations regarding maintenance, safety, and constructability issues.
This brochure(PDF, 6 pp, 985 Kb) provides more information about the County’s Green Streets initiative and the Franklin Knolls/Clifton Park project.
The Franklin Knolls /Clifton Park Green Streets project is split into four phases:
Phase 1 – Clifton Park Village Phase 2 – Clifton Park/ Montgomery Knolls Phase 3 – Clifton Park/ Montgomery Knolls Phase 4 – Franklin Knolls
Phases will progress through the design and construction process chronologically, with the lower Phase 1 Clifton Park Village beginning first and the Phase 4 Franklin Knolls occurring last.
The proposed stormwater facilities are being designed in collaboration with roadway maintenance and/or rehabilitation to be completed by Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT). Construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2013.
The proposed Green Street features will provide environmental benefits, improve property aesthetics where reasonably possible, and provide community education opportunities. Proposed installations include:
It takes some time to update all the documents and materials as we make design changes. Please check back regularly for updates over the next several weeks, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Design (60%-90%) - In Progress
Proposed designs are revised based on detailed field survey and geotechnical (soils) information and comments from multiple agencies and public.
Phase 1 is in the design (90%) phase, Phase 2 is in concept design (60%), and Phase 3 and 4 are in the preliminary design phase (30%) as of February 2013. Construction for phase 1 is anticipated to begin as early as June 2013, with the other phases following sequentially (see table below).
Designs are being prepared using detailed field survey and geotechnical (soils) information. The County is coordinating design of the proposed facilities
with the Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) roadway maintenance and/or rehabilitation work which began in Phase 1 and 2 summer 2012. This MCDOT newsletter has information about the continuing roadway improvement project in Clifton Park/ Franklin Knolls.
DEP’s timeline is adaptable and will be adjusted as needed in response to design and approval complexity, MCDOT road repair schedules, and feedback from the community.
Public meetings will be planned to ensure that the project is directly informed by and reflects your community's values and priorities. During these meetings the public will have an opportunity to engage with Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection staff members and learn more about how to contribute water quality improvements.
An initial public meeting was held for the entire project area on July 12, 2012. Neighborhood walks for each project phase are anticipated as designs are developed.
Date: March 16, 2013
Time: 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Meeting Announcement Flyer(PDF, 2 pp, 276 Kb) Phase 1 Walk Where to Meet: Intersection of Langley, Heron, and Miles
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Phase 2 Walk Where to Meet: Intersection of Daleview and Linton
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
