County Programs
Clean Water Act (CWA) Fee - Maryland’s governor signed into law House Bill 987 (the CWA Program) requiring nine Maryland counties and the City of Baltimore to collect a fee from property owners to implement the CWA Program to help clean up stormwater runoff pollution from impervious areas. Property owners pay this fee annually through their property-tax bills.
Alternative Compliance Program - Tax-exempt religious and nonprofit organizations may receive reductions in their CWA fee if they adopt certain stormwater management practices.
Rain Check Rebate Program – This program allows property owners to receive rebates for installing County-approved stormwater management practices that improve stormwater runoff quality and reduce stormwater runoff quantity. The Chesapeake Bay Trust (CBT) partnered with the County to provide support with the administrative and operational functions of the Rain Check Rebate Program. CBT staff assist with handling inquiries from property owners about the Program; review and process applications; and perform pre- and post-inspections of the property.
Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program - Through the County’s program, CBT funds requests for the construction of water quality improvement projects. CBT also funds citizen engagement and behavior change projects implemented by nonprofit groups, including homeowner associations (HOAs), nongovernmental organizations, municipalities, watershed organizations, education institutions, community associations, faith-based organizations, and civic groups. The CBT awards these groups $50,000 to $150,000 for water quality projects and $50,000 to $100,000 for tree planting projects.
