Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is to enhance the quality of life in our community by protecting and improving Montgomery County's air, water, and land in a sustainable way while fostering smart growth, a thriving economy, and healthy communities.

Budget Overview

The total recommended FY21 Operating Budget for the Department of Environmental Protection is $33,111,860, an increase of $1,161,328 or 3.63 percent from the FY20 Approved Budget of $31,950,532. Personnel Costs comprise 36.13 percent of the budget for 92 full-time position(s) and one part-time position(s), and a total of 108.40 FTEs. Total FTEs may include seasonal or temporary positions and may also reflect workforce charged to or from other departments or funds. Operating Expenses account for the remaining 63.87 percent of the FY21 budget.

The debt service for the Water Quality Protection Fund is appropriated in the Debt Service Fund and is, therefore, not displayed in this section. To pay for the debt service, a transfer of funds from the Water Quality Protection Fund to the Debt Service Fund of $8,172,350 is required in FY21 for Water Quality Protection Bonds.

In addition, this department's Capital Improvements Program (CIP) requires Current Revenue funding.

County Priority Outcomes

While this program area supports all eight of the County Result Areas, the following are emphasized:

• A Greener County
• Effective, Sustainable Government

Program Performance Measures

Performance measures for this department are included below (where applicable), with multi-program measures displayed at the front of this section and program-specific measures shown with the relevant program. The FY20 estimates reflect funding based on the FY20 approved budget. The FY21 and FY22 figures are performance targets based on the FY21 recommended budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY22.

Initiatives

• Expand the use of grants issued through the Chesapeake Bay Trust to local watershed organizations. These grants provide funds to many local partners to implement watershed improvement projects that target the reduction of pollutants from private properties.

• Increase funding from the Tree Canopy Fund to allow an additional 550 trees to be planted on private property through the Tree Montgomery Program. This initiative allows for credit under the MS4 permit as well as helps address issues related to adapting to climate change impacts.

• Provide funding for targeted outreach to property owners with wells or septic systems, reminding them of proper maintenance and informing them of what County services are available.
  

• Add funding for outreach surrounding the County's pesticide law, which restricts what kinds of pesticides may be used in the County.
  

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• Successfully reorganized the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) with a focus on operational efficiency. This includes integrating all watershed management functions within DEP into the Watershed Restoration Division, centrally managing enterprise functions such as procurement, IT and budget, and reorienting the focus of the previous Solid Waste Division to be focused on movement towards zero waste.

• Developed a Geographic Information System (GIS) Suitability Model to create science-based geographic targeting maps for implementing stormwater management best management practices (BMPs) and other DEP programs. These targeting maps will guide the County's efforts to meet future MS4 permit requirements, achieve biological uplift, ensure project longevity, and address environmental justice issues.

• Re-developed the Tree Montgomery database to manage all aspects of the Tree Montgomery Program, including customer applications, planting locations and tree species, ordering with the planting contractor, inspections and invoicing, and coordinating after-care services. The total number of trees planted through the program increased significantly by mid-year, earning impervious area restoration credits under the MS4 permit.

• Relocate Department of Environmental Protection offices to Wheaton as part of a Countywide initiative to centralize government services to support business growth and development. This move was planned as part of the Wheaton Redevelopment Program, which will encourage private reinvestment in Wheaton through targeted, complementary public investment.

Program Descriptions

  Watershed Restoration

The Watershed Management Operations Division manages, inspects, and ensures the operational effectiveness of over 16,000 stormwater management facilities, and is also responsible for the structural maintenance of over 5,000 of these facilities. The Watershed Management Operations Division supports watershed-based monitoring, planning, policy development, and reporting to achieve County stream protection...

  Energy, Climate and Compliance

The Division of Environmental Policy and Compliance develops and implements integrated programs which protect and enhance the County's environmental resources and promote sustainable practices by residents, businesses, and the County government. The division analyzes, develops, and implements programs related to air quality, energy conservation and renewable energy, forest and tree...

  Administration

The Office of the Director provides leadership on policy development, implementation, and administration for all departmental programs and management services. The Director's Office is also responsible for planning, development, and administration of water supply and wastewater policies for the County, as well as development of the State-required Montgomery County Comprehensive...