Sediment & Stormwater Management Branch

The Sediment and Stormwater Management Branch operates under the  Development Services Division of the Cecil County Department of Public Works. The Sediment and Stormwater Branch is responsible for the development, management and execution of the Cecil County Erosion & Sediment Control and Stormwater Management programs. This branch ensures the effective administration of and compliance with the Cecil County Code and other applicable laws, regulations and standards.

Mission Statement:

Promote environmental stewardship of natural resources within the county during the development process to ensure the protection of those resources from the effects of sedimentation and stormwater pollution. The department is committed to working towards maintaining and improving water quality of the water resources in the county while also preserving the quality of life of all residents by:

• Holding public and private institutions accountable for meeting standards and specifications to which they have agreed upon to pursue development activities.
• Working with the development community prior to, during and following construction activities to set achievable expectations and objectives.
• Working cooperatively with other local, state and federal agencies with similar missions.
• Providing educational opportunities and outreach programs and activities.
• Providing enforcement of the local erosion and sediment control and stormwater management ordinances.

News and Events:

•  1st Annual Cecil County Wade-In! Join us as we pull up our pant legs and wade into the Upper Chesapeake Bay to measure water quality the way retired Maryland State Senator Bernie Fowler did 18 years ago with his "sneaker index."

• Where:       North Bay – 11 Horseshoe Point Lane, North East, MD 21901

• Who:           Everyone is invited!  Free!

• When:        Saturday, July 10, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Great fun for all ages

• Info:            Call 410-996-5267 for more information and directions, no reservations needed.

CLICK HERE for the event flyer! (.pdf)

• Authorized Deferral of Final Lot Grading and Permanent Stabilization (letter of intent)

Due to current weather conditions, final grading and permanent stabilization of yards and disturbed areas can not be achieved until the spring of 2010. Effective 12/28/09 the Department of Public Works will require an "Authorized Deferral of Final Lot Grading and Permanent Stabilization (letter of intent)" for any project with disturbed areas which require DPW approval of a Certificate of Occupancy. DPW will recommend temporary CO's to the Permits & Inspections Department for lots which have an approved letter of deferral. Final Lot Grading As-built plans should not be submitted until sites have been fine graded and final stabilized in the spring. The 2010 letter of intent (LOI) contains the Interim Conditions/Temporary Stabilization Measures and the associated fees and rules which must be completed/submitted prior to approval of the LOI. Note that the lot will be inspected to insure conditions for use of the LOI have been met. Also note that the seller and buyer are REQUIRED to sign the form. Faxed or xeroxed copies of signatures will not be accepted.

• MDE has proposed new standards and specifications to be implemented in May 2010. The "Draft Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control" are available on by clicking here.

• In compliance with provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et. seq.), and the Code of Maryland Regulations, (COMAR) 26.17.02,  MDE requires designated small MS4s to obtain coverage under NPDES General Permit No. MDR055500. Coverage under the General Permit is intended to reduce the discharge of pollutants from small MS4s which, in turn, degrade receiving water quality. Cecil County has recently updated the Stormwater Management Program. Please review the Stormwater Management Program Final Document (.pdf).

• "One large tree can eliminate 5,000 gallons of stormwater runoff each year..." The State of Maryland has a program available to provide a $25 coupon for the purchase of a tree from an approved list of vendors. Currently two retailers in Cecil County (Coventry Landscaping on Appleton Rd., and Priapi Gardens in Cecilton) are participating in the program. Once you plant your tree, you even can plot it onto your property using their website, and you will receive a recognition letter from the Governor! Click HERE for more information.

• The Watershed Assistance Collaborative (WAC), which is being coordinated by DNR, will provide training, funding opportunities and technical support to watershed groups for watershed planning and implementation assistance. Anyone who is part of a watershed group or is interested in forming one could benefit from this program. If you have questions about the program, please visit the Watershed Assistance Collaborative website, or contact Carrie Decker at 410-260-8723 or email her at cdecker@dnr.state.md.us. Please view the WAC Letter of Support and the WAC Information Flyer.
• The Sediment and Stormwater Branch has received the Erosion and Sediment Control Program Evaluation from the Maryland Department of the Environment Water Management Administration. MDE has granted continued delegation of erosion and sediment control enforcement authority under the same terms and conditions as the past 15 years. MDE states, Cecil County  Sediment and Stormwater Branch has "a high level of performance" and "is successfully operating."

March Tip of the Month:

Record snowfalls have been causing major maintenance problems with silt fence. DO NOT FORGET, as soon as the weather permits, perform routine corrective maintenance on all perimeter controls on your site.

Click here to view the archives of Tip of the Month.