Annapolis, Maryland (August 26, 2024) – The Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works, Bureau of Watershed Protection and Restoration (BWPR) was awarded the County Engineers Association of Maryland (CEAM) Mid-Sized Project of the Year for the Najoles Road Pond and Restoration Project.
The complex work involved retrofitting a non-functioning stormwater pond on the east side of Najoles Road near the post office in Millersville, as well as restoring 1800 linear feet of an unnamed tributary to the Severn Run located on the west side of the road. Prior to restoration, the existing stormwater pond was a non-functioning facility that routinely shot high-velocity runoff into the stream, causing severe erosion and degradation of the downstream channel.
“Awards like these honor and recognize the skill, vision, and expertise of our staff,” said DPW Director Karen Henry. “This project is a successful and cost-effective example of stormwater best management that will greatly improve the water quality of the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay.”
The 1,800 linear feet of stream restoration is estimated to remove 773 pounds of nitrogen, 218 pounds of phosphorus, and 361 tons of prevented sediment each year, resulting in water quality benefits for the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay watershed.
The Mid-Sized Project of the Year is for projects with total costs between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000. The total cost for the design and construction for this project was $3.5 million. The County received a $1,683,654 grant through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund. Engineers designed the restoration as a natural system, which will be self-sustaining and require little to no maintenance. However, the County developed an agreement with DNR to provide access by County staff and agents to inspect and maintain the stream restoration project when necessary.