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311Email: askdep@montgomerycountymd.gov
Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Transportation (DOT) are installing Green Street practices such as bioretention gardens, curb extensions and tree box filters along Dennis Avenue and within the immediate surrounding neighborhoods draining to Dennis Avenue.
Green Streets are roadway designs that allow rainwater to slow down and soak in, turning stormwater into a resource that replenishes groundwater, protects urban watershed health, creates attractive streetscapes, provides natural habitat, and helps to visually connect neighborhoods, schools, parks and business districts. Rather than treating rainfall as a waste to be channeled quickly off-site and conveyed through pipes to ponds or basins, the County is now integrating a more natural, small-scale approach called Low Impact Development (LID).
There is no treatment of runoff from the Dennis Avenue right-of-way aside from what eventually ends up in Wheaton Branch Stormwater pond. The County decided to follow up on the recent Arcola Avenue Green Streets Street installations throughout the Dennis Avenue neighborhood to provide enhanced stormwater management. MCDEP and MCDOT are using an adaptable “design-build” approach to more quickly design and implement these facilities.
Larger Map (PDF, 1pg, 2.03MB)
Download the Dennis Avenue Brochure (PDF, 5pg, 926 KB)
This project is part of the County’s need to meet Federal and State mandates to control and treat stormwater runoff. The goal of this project is to reduce stormwater runoff, minimize pollution, promote infiltration, and restore stream conditions in Sligo Creek, the Anacostia River, and the Chesapeake Bay.
The facilities will be located within the County-maintained right-of-way. Most projects will be constructed within the street, but some will be located within the grassy planter strip between the curb and sidewalk. All project landscaping will be maintained by MCDEP and MCDOT. Green Streets will be monitored and maintained on a monthly basis.
The proposed LID features will provide environmental benefits, improve property aesthetics where reasonably possible, and provide community education opportunities. Proposed installations include:
Facility Types (above) are described in more detail here.
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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.
Phase Facility IDs (See Map Above) Status
1 3, 8, 9A, 15, 17, 19, 20, and 33 Complete – Constructed June-December 2012 by Angler Environmental
2a 16A, 16B, 21A, 21B, 27, and 28 In Construction - Starting April 2013 by Angler Environmental
2b 1, 2, 2A, 3A, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 In Construction – Starting April/May 2013 by Highway Safety Services (HSS)
3* 47A, 47B, 48, 49, 50, 51A, 51B,52A, 52B, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58,59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 In Construction – Starting April/May 2013 by Highway Safety Services (HSS)
*Note: Two bioretention facilities along Arcola Avenue on Maryland State Highway Administration land are being designed to follow-on to Phase 3.
Public meetings have been 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. The first public meeting was held at Sligo Middle School at 7 p.m. on February 8th, 2012. MCDEP staff were invited to provide a presentation at the South Four Corners Civic Association (SFCCA) meeting at the Schweinhaut Senior Center, 7 p.m. on March 11th, 2013.
Location: Sligo Middle School 1401 Dennis Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (Map)Date: February 8, 2012Time: 7:00-8:00 p.m. Meeting Announcement Flyer
The following presentation was provided at the February 8th public meeting.
The Dennis Avenue Green Streets Stormwater Project (PDF, 4.35 MB)
Location: Schweinhaut Senior Center 1000 Forest Glen Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20901 (Map)Date: March 11, 2013Time: 7:00-8:30 p.m.
The following presentation and exhibit were provided at the March 11th meeting.
Dennis Avenue Green Streets Presentation (PDF, 7.48 MB)
Dennis Green Streets Exhibit (PDF, 8.41 MB)