County Officials to Unveil Watershed Action Plan

The Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability is scheduled to present a watershed action plan to improve the water quality and stream health at the Beaver Dam Run, Oregon Branch and Baisman Run watersheds Wednesday evening at

Baltimore County officials met with residents in two held earlier this year to discuss restoration options, to present research on the watershed's fish, forest health and water quality and to obtain public feedback. 

"The vision of the [watershed action plan] is for the Beaverdam Run, Baisman Run, Oregon Branch watersheds to support a healthy, diverse and balanced ecosystem," said Erin Wisnieski, a natural resource specialist with the department.

Wisnieski said the watersheds are with govermental standards.

"The watersheds need to reduce nutrients, bacteria, sediment and mercury to meet water quality standards," she said. "This area contributes pollutants to the Loch Raven Reservoir and the Chesapeake Bay and, therefore, presents opportunities to reduce water pollution."

Although the watersheds' condition is among the best in the county, it is considered sensitive, according to Wisnieski. She said there are still trout populations in the upper reaches of all three subwatersheds, but their range is less than it had been previously.

"When a water body has an excessive amount of a pollutant, the state issues a total maximum daily load for that pollutant, this is often referred to as a pollution diet," she said. "Now in effect for the Loch Raven Reservoir drainage, which includes this area, are total maximum daily loads for phosphorous, bacteria, sediment and mercury. The plan will quantify the amount of various restoration actions needed to bring the watershed into compliance in the future, such as acres of reforestation needed and improved pet waste management."

Wisnieski said community input will still be considered after the plan is unveiled.

"Once the plan is complete, there will be a number of opportunities for the community to pitch in to help implement the plan over a period of years," she said. "There will be workshops for residents to learn how to lessen their impact on streams through such topics as septic system maintenance, proper use of yard chemicals, and installation of rain gardens. There will be volunteer activities like tree plantings and stream clean-ups that the whole family can enjoy."

The watershed action plan meeting is scheduled to run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the