Concerning the recent work behind Buildings 200 and 210, the following explanation was provided by Betty L. Kelly, Natural Resource Specialist, Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability Waterway Restoration.

"The purpose of this project is to upgrade the existing stormwater detention facility to address water quality.  Many different types of projects are ongoing to address the federally mandated Chesapeake Bay cleanup and County MS-4 permit requirements overseen by Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).  I have included a map (click here) of the Chesapeake Bay Drainage Area by State and County so you can see how large the drainage area to the Bay is.  Baltimore County and many other surrounding jurisdictions, including State Highway Administration (SHA), are required to meet permit requirements specific to their jurisdiction.

 The large round black pipe that sticks up out of the hillside is the outlet structure or riser.  It has been in place since the facility was built, but likely hidden from view because of the vegetation.  This structure determines the release rate of water from the facility during or after a rain event and is sized so as not to cause erosion at the downstream end.

 The U baskets with gravel covered with black tarp actually contains the sand filter which will provide the water quality enhancement.  The black tarp will be removed once vegetation is re-established in the pond bottom.  In preparation for construction of the sand filter, several loads of accumulated sediment and grit had to be removed from the bottom.  This sediment and grit wash off of roads and lawns into the road inlets/storm drain system and into the pond.  The storm drain system is also how trash on the road gets carried into the stormwater facility.

 The smaller stack inside the U is the perforated low flow pipe which is connected to the riser.  This will carry the filtered water into the riser and out the barrel pipe which is also part of the outlet structure.  The barrel pipe was placed into the dam embankment during original construction.

 This new construction is in full view now but the vegetation should fill in during the spring and summer.  A post-construction inspection has already been completed.  A 6-month and 1-year inspection will also be completed and any “housekeeping items” will be sent to the EPS contractor to address.