SPA Annual Reports

DEP prepares Conservation Plans and coordinates the preparation of Annual Reports that present the latest information we have on the quality of the SPA water resources, important features that need to be protected to maintain these water resources, and the success of the SPA program in allowing needed economic growth to occur while minimizing growth related impacts.

Follow the links to download conservation plans for the SPAs and for copies of previous Annual Reports.

Annual Reports

2010 SPA Annual Report

The 2010 SPA Annual Report is available for download. The report may be downloaded as a stand-alone document. Each technical appendix is also available to be downloaded for those who want to have all the technical background used in the development of the report.

• 2010 SPA Annual Report
  • 2010 SPA Annual Report (PDF, 130 pp, 6.8Mb)
• 2010 SPA Annual Report: Technical Appendices
  • Chapter 3: BMP Effectiveness (PDF, 99 pp, 10.5Mb)
  • Chapter 4: Stream Characteristics (PDF, 51 pp, 2.4Mb)
  • Chapter 5: Biological Stream Monitoring (PDF, 66 pp, 7.1Mb)
• Additional Material
  • Transmission Memo (PDF, 1 pg, 467K)

2009 SPA Annual Report

The thirteenth annual report on the Special Protection Area (SPA) program summarizes the results of all monitoring completed in the four SPAs through 2009. Monitoring of stream conditions is intended to evaluate water quality and development impacts on water quality. BMP monitoring is intended to evaluate the effectiveness of BMPs in mitigating construction impacts as well as their effectiveness in minimizing post-construction effects on water quality. This report includes the results of stream and best management practice (BMP) monitoring and presents a comprehensive analysis of all available biological, chemical, and physical data collected from 1994 through the 2009 calendar year.

There are two versions of the 2009 SPA Annual Report. The web version is available as smaller files that are easier to download and view online. The print version contains all sections of the document in a single file. This version is larger and most appropriate for those who wish to download and print the entire document, including the Technical Appendices.

• 2009 SPA Annual Report: Web Version
  • 2009 SPA Annual Report (web version) (PDF, 116 pp, 11.4Mb)
• 2009 SPA Annual Report: Technical Appendices
  • Chapter 3: BMP Effectiveness (PDF, 84 pp, 10.1Mb)
  • Chapter 4: Stream Characteristics (PDF, 48 pp, 2.82Mb)
  • Chapter 5: Biological Stream Monitoring (PDF, 58 pp, 48.3Mb)
• 2009 SPA Annual Report: Print Version
  • 2009 SPA Annual Report (print) (PDF, 306 pp, 72.8Mb)
• Additional Material
  • Transmission Memo (PDF, 1 pg, 51K)

2008 SPA Annual Report

The twelfth annual report on the Special Protection Area (SPA) program summarizes the results of all monitoring completed in the four SPAs through 2008. Monitoring of stream conditions is intended to evaluate water quality and development impacts on water quality. BMP monitoring is intended to evaluate the effectiveness of BMPs in mitigating construction impacts as well as their effectiveness in minimizing post-construction effects on water quality. This report includes the results of stream and best management practice (BMP) monitoring and presents a comprehensive analysis of all available biological, chemical, and physical data collected from 1994 through the 2008 calendar year.

There are two versions of the 2008 SPA Annual Report. The web version is available as smaller files that are easier to download and view online. The print version contains all sections of the document in a single file. This version is larger and most appropriate for those who wish to download and print the entire document.

• 2008 SPA Annual Report: Print Version
  • 2008 SPA Annual Report (PDF, 114 pp, 3.9Mb)
• 2008 SPA Annual Report: Technical Appendices
  • Chapter 3: BMP Effectiveness (PDF, 66 pp, 8.9Mb)
  • Chapter 4: Stream Characteristics (PDF, 18 pp, 933K)
  • Chapter 5: Biological Stream Monitoring (PDF, 27 pp, 811K)
• Additional Material
  • Transmission Memo (PDF, 1 pg, 49K)

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2007 SPA Annual Report

The eleventh annual report on the Special Protection Area (SPA) program covers results of stream monitoring and the sampling of sediment and erosion controls and stormwater best management practices (BMPs) in 2007. In addition, this 2007 Annual SPA Report provides available information regarding water quality results associated with Newcut Road and Town Center development and other similar developments to assist the County Council in determining how to proceed in the final Stage 4 phase of development (Ten Mile Creek) for the Clarksburg Master Plan.

There are two versions of the 2007 SPA Annual Report. The web version is available as smaller files that are easier to download and view online. The print version contains all sections of the document in a single file. This version is larger and most appropriate for those who wish to download and print the entire document.

• 2007 SPA Annual Report: Print Version
  • 2007 SPA Annual Report (print) (PDF, 285 pp, 18.5Mb)
• 2007 SPA Annual Report: Web Version
  • 2007 SPA Annual Report (web) (PDF, 113 pp, 3.7Mb)
• 2007 SPA Annual Report: Technical Appendices
  • Section 3: BMP Effectiveness (PDF, 49 pp, 8.5Mb)
  • Section 4: Stream Characteristics (PDF, 97 pp, 3.3Mb)
  • Section 5: Biological Integrity (PDF, 24 pp, 1Mb)
• Additional Material
  • Transmission Memo (PDF, 1 pg, 46K)
  • Presentation to the Council's Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee (PDF, 30 pp, 7.7Mb)

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2006 SPA Annual Report

The 2006 Special Protection Area Program Annual Report summarizes the results of all monitoring completed in the four SPAs through 2006. Monitoring of stream conditions is intended to evaluate water quality and development impacts on water quality. Results for each SPA are evaluated independently to characterize local trends and impacts to water quality. The results of developer-managed monitoring of BMPs is also included. BMP monitoring is intended to evaluate the effectiveness of BMPs in mitigating construction impacts as well as their effectiveness in minimizing post-construction effects on water quality.

Download the 2006 SPA Annual Report (PDF, 46 pp, 2.5Mb)

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2005 SPA Annual Report

The 2005 Special Protection Area Program Annual Report summarizes the results of all monitoring completed in the four SPAs through 2005. Monitoring of stream conditions is intended to evaluate water quality and development impacts on water quality. Results for each SPA are evaluated independently to characterize local trends and impacts to water quality. The results of developer-managed monitoring of BMP's is also included. BMP monitoring is intended to evaluate the effectiveness of BMP's in mitigating construction impacts as well as their effectiveness in minimizing post-construction effects on water quality. The information obtained is to be used to improve the design of future projects. This report covers the period of 1994-2005.

Download the 2005 SPA Annual Report (PDF, 42 pp, 1.4Mb)

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2004 SPA Annual Report

The 2004 Special Protection Area Annual Report summarizes results of all monitoring completed in the four SPAs through 2004. DEP monitors stream conditions annually locations throughout the SPAs. Additionally, development projects located within the SPAs are required to monitor representative sediment and erosion control and stormwater management BMPs to determine the effectiveness of these devices in minimizing impacts to the receiving stream. Results of an analysis of sediment and erosion control device effectiveness are presented. Proposed changes to the current SPA law and their rationale are discussed in the report. This year, the report has been produced in a smaller, easier to read format. The Special Protection Area Program began in 1994. This report covers the period of 1994-2004.

Download the 2004 SPA Annual Report

• Cover Memo (PDF, 1 pg, 155K)
• 2004 SPA Annual Report (PDF, 34 pp, 1.9Mb)

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2003 SPA Annual Report

The 2003 Special Protection Area Annual Report summarizes results of all monitoring completed in the four SPAs through 2003. DEP monitors stream conditions annually at 47 fixed locations throughout the SPAs. Additionally, new development projects located within the SPAs are required to monitor on-site conditions to determine effectiveness of site design and stormwater management BMPs (Best Management Practices) in minimizing impacts to the receiving stream. Status of all new development proposed in the SPAs can also be found in this report. The Special Protection Area Program began in 1994. This report covers the period of 1994-2003.

Download the 2003 SPA Annual Report (PDF, 128 pp, 6.4Mb)

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2002 SPA Annual Report

The 2002 Special Protection Area Annual Report summarizes results of all monitoring completed in the three SPAs through 2002. DEP monitors stream conditions annually at 47 fixed locations throughout the SPAs. Additionally, new development projects located within the SPAs are required to monitor on-site conditions to determine effectiveness of site design and stormwater management BMPs (Best Management Practices) in minimizing impacts to the receiving stream. Status of all new development proposed in the SPAs can also be found in this report. The Special Protection Area Program began in 1994. This report covers the period of 1994-2002.

Download the 2002 SPA Annual Report

• Introduction (PDF, 17 pp, 502K)
• Clarksburg SPA (PDF, 41 pp, 2.1Mb)
• Paint Branch SPA (PDF, 31 pp, 4.3Mb)
• Piney Branch SPA (PDF, 40 pp, 9.4Mb)
• Evaluation and Recommendations (PDF, 7 pp, 23K)

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2001 SPA Annual Report

Download the 2001 SPA Annual Report

• Table of Contents (PDF, 3 pp, 179K)
• Executive Summary (PDF, 11 pp, 162K)
• Clarksburg SPA (PDF, 33 pp, 1.9Mb)
• Paint Branch SPA (PDF, 26 pp, 1.1Mb)
• Piney Branch SPA (PDF, 48 pp, 3.6Mb)
• Evaluation and Recommendations (PDF, 13 pp, 298K)

2000 SPA Annual Report

Download the 2000 SPA Annual Report (PDF, 106 pp, 9.5Mb)

1998 SPA Annual Report

Download the 1998 SPA Annual Report (PDF, 54 pp, 3.7Mb)

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Conservation Plans

Chapter 19, Article V of the Montgomery County Code requires that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) prepare a conservation plan for each Special Protection Area (SPA). The following plans are available:

Upper Paint Branch

Download the Upper Paint Branch Conservation Plan (PDF, 36 pp, 1.2Mb)

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