RainScapes Incentives Program

In May 2006, the County Council voted to provide $500,000 in cost sharing grant incentives to homeowners and other private landowners to install RainScapes practices to control stormwater runoff close to the source. The $500,000 was part of a $1,250,000 clean water initiative that is being financed by the County's Water Quality Protection Charge that homeowners pay on their yearly real estate tax and administered by the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP.) The Clean Water Initiative is intended to emphasize RainScapes techniques, particularly in older, more urbanized neighborhoods that were developed without modernized stormwater management systems. After more than a year of waiting, we are finally seeing the program being implemented by DEP. According to Pam Rowe, DEP's RainScapes Program Coordinator, DEP is planning on implementing the initiative using both an open Countywide Rebate Program and targeted efforts in several subwatersheds throughout the County. DEP has formed an "ad hoc" RainScapes Implementation Team with representatives from various watershed organizations and other citizen groups.

DEP is getting ready to begin work on the targeted subwatershed implementation program. In the targeted subwatersheds (2.5 square miles total with approximately 5,000 homes), DEP is hoping to maximize the level of implementation in order to study and hopefully document the benefits of widespread project implementation. In the target subwatersheds, DEP will be using a contractor to work with residents on detailed assessment of the landscape to identify potential project sites. If there is enough interest, DEP will utilize installation contractors to put the projects in the ground. DEP will initiate a contract conduct the detailed assessments in the Glen Echo Heights area first. This will be followed up with assessments in seven other subwatersheds in the Rock Creek and Sligo/Northwest Branch watersheds.

The Countywide Rebate Program is open to any resident in the County (excluding residents of the Cities of Rockville, Takoma Park and Gaithersburg) DEP is working on developing the rebate structure and determining the level of property owner commitment. Eligible RainScapes projects will include rain gardens, rain barrels, replacing impervious surfaces (driveways, patios, etc.) with permeable surfaces, and conservation landscaping practices. DEP is also considering including rebates for green roofs. Tentatively, DEP is considering providing homeowners up to $1,200 in rebates, higher rebates (tentatively up to $5,000) could be available to multi-family, commercial and private institutional properties. Details regarding the structure of the program remain to be developed. DEP is hoping to partner with watershed groups, businesses and educators (Master Gardeners, ANS GreenKids, etc.)

As part of this effort, DEP is planning to hold landscape contractor training this winter and working with Montgomery College this spring to incorporate RainScapes concepts in its Horticulture curriculum.