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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, innovative, inclusive, and industry-leading way while fostering smart growth, a thriving more sustainable economy, and healthy communities.

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Budget Overview

The total recommended FY26 Operating Budget for the Department of Environmental Protection is $49,216,826, an increase of $3,523,664 or 7.71 percent from the FY25 Approved Budget of $45,693,162. Personnel Costs comprise 37.00 percent of the budget for 129 full-time position(s) and one part-time position(s), and a total of 134.50 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 63.00 percent of the FY26 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 $10,865,220 is required in FY26 for Water Quality Protection Bonds and long-term financing offered by the State of Maryland.

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

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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 FY25 estimates reflect funding based on the FY25 approved budget. The FY26 and FY27 figures are performance targets based on the FY26 recommended budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY27.

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Initiatives

  • Add a new position to work on the Best Management Practice inspection program, focusing on stormwater management structures on private property.
  • Add funds to initiate outreach and communications to residents and affected businesses regarding the County's amended bag fee law. Under the revised law, plastic bags may no longer be offered at most retail establishments as of January 1, 2026, and the fee per non-plastic bag increases from $0.05 to $0.10.
  • Increase Funding for Clean Water Montgomery Grants to help property owners manage stormwater runoff on their properties and earn credit toward the County's MS4 Permit. Demand for the program continues to exceed available funding.

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Innovations and Productivity Improvements

  • Established regulations and launched a new electric leaf blower campaign and a related rebate program. Launched a county-wide campaign to inform the public about the ban on the sale of gas-powered leaf blowers and the upcoming ban on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers, and developed a new online application portal to manage rebate program.

  • Continued to grow and improve the annual Montgomery County Energy Summit. Attracting 200-300 attendees each year, this educational conference and networking event is DEP's flagship event to educate and engage with the commercial and multifamily building community on sustainable green building and County energy requirements. DEP continues to build the event's reach year-over-year with new partnerships, keynote speakers, and cutting-edge educational opportunities.

  • Won a grant for $2.7 million for up to 17 electric vehicle charging stations from the Maryland Department of Transportation through the Carbon Reduction Program. Funding will support the installation of EV charging stations at 17 county-owned locations, including parking garages, Park-N-Ride lots, libraries, and community centers.

Program Descriptions

  Watershed Restoration

The Watershed Restoration Division leads the County's efforts to improve stream health and water quality through the targeted planning, design, construction, inspection, and maintenance of best management practices (BMP) built to manage stormwater runoff. The Watershed Restoration Division supports watershed-based monitoring and reporting to achieve County stream protection goals (Montgomery...

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  Energy, Climate, and Compliance

The Energy, Climate, and Compliance Division develops and implements policies and programs focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing the resilience of the County in the face of a changing climate, and enforces County laws and regulations related to air and water pollution, illegal dumping, noise control, and other...

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  Administration

The Office of the Deputy Director provides for overall management of departmental programs to ensure safe and efficient operations, including contract administration management for the department, continuity of operations, oversight of operational programs at the County's Integrated Solid Waste Management System (ISWMS), and communications and public engagement. The Office provides...

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Budget Trends
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Program Contacts

Contact Vicky Wan of the Department of Environmental Protection at 240-777-7722 or Richard H. Harris of the Office of Management and Budget at 240-777-2795 for more information regarding this department's operating budget.

Related Links
Budget Summary
TitleActual
FY24
Budget
FY25
Estimate
FY25
Recommended
FY26
%Chg
Bud/Rec
COUNTY GENERAL FUND
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages2657918.003144456.00 3072070.00 3122889.00-0.7
Employee Benefits685575.00804654.00 775794.00 872717.008.5
County General Fund Personnel Costs3343493.003949110.00 3847864.00 3995606.001.2
Operating Expenses5987987.005733811.00 5733811.00 5843679.001.9
County General Fund Expenditures9331480.009682921.00 9581675.00 9839285.001.6
PERSONNEL
Full-Time64.0062.00 62.00 61.00-1.6
Part-Time0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
FTEs31.6529.00 29.00 26.76-7.7
REVENUES
Other Licenses/Permits25900.0020000.00 20000.00 20000.000.0
Other Charges/Fees576801.0060400.00 60400.00 60400.000.0
Other Fines/Forfeitures18850.0015000.00 15000.00 15000.000.0
Tree Canopy636870.001500000.00 1500000.00 1500000.000.0
County General Fund Revenues1258421.001595400.00 1595400.00 1595400.000.0
 
WATER QUALITY PROTECTION FUND
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages8532126.009519933.00 9155972.00 10766109.0013.1
Employee Benefits2428306.002924749.00 2804499.00 3449602.0018.0
Water Quality Protection Fund Personnel Costs10960432.0012444682.00 11960471.00 14215711.0014.2
Operating Expenses21608427.0023565559.00 23565559.00 25161830.006.8
Water Quality Protection Fund Expenditures32568859.0036010241.00 35526030.00 39377541.009.4
PERSONNEL
Full-Time65.0067.00 67.00 68.001.5
Part-Time1.001.00 1.00 1.000.0
FTEs101.84103.69 103.69 107.743.9
REVENUES
Bag Tax2933918.002700000.00 2700000.00 2568000.00-4.9
Water Quality Protection Charge47507468.0049639440.00 49639440.00 53481687.007.7
Investment Income2314887.001987000.00 2100510.00 1768850.00-11.0
Other Charges/Fees257774.0047500.00 47500.00 47500.000.0
Miscellaneous Revenues62306.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Water Quality Protection Fund Revenues53076353.0054373940.00 54487450.00 57866037.006.4
 
GRANT FUND - MCG
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Employee Benefits0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Grant Fund - MCG Personnel Costs0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Operating Expenses1331736.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Grant Fund - MCG Expenditures1331736.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
PERSONNEL
Full-Time0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Part-Time0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
FTEs0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
REVENUES
State Grants182978.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Federal Grants485555.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Miscellaneous Revenues470134.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
Grant Fund - MCG Revenues1138667.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
 
DEPARTMENT TOTALS
Total Expenditures43232075.0045693162.00 45107705.00 49216826.007.7
Total Full-Time Positions129.00129.00 129.00 129.000.0
Total Part-Time Positions1.001.00 1.00 1.000.0
Total FTEs133.49132.69 132.69 134.501.4
Total Revenues55473441.0055969340.00 56082850.00 59461437.006.2
FY26 Recommended Changes
TitleExpendituresFTEs
COUNTY GENERAL FUND
FY25 ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION968292129.00
Other Adjustments (with no service impacts)
Increase Cost: Restore One-Time Lapse Increase [Energy, Climate, and Compliance]2843610.00
Increase Cost: FY26 Compensation Adjustment1809840.00
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY25 Compensation Increases913560.00
Shift: Adjust FTE Allocation to Better Align With Responsibilities (General Fund) [Energy, Climate, and Compliance]581890.30
Increase Cost: Elimination of One-Time Items Approved in FY25563450.00
Increase Cost: Energy Summit [Energy, Climate, and Compliance]314360.00
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY25 Personnel Costs295030.00
Increase Cost: Motor Pool Adjustment170250.00
Increase Cost: Retirement Adjustment131800.00
Increase Cost: Three Percent Inflationary Adjustment to Non-Profit Service Provider Contracts [Administration]118550.00
Increase Cost: Communications & Public Engagement [Administration]54450.00
Decrease Cost: Printing and Mail Adjustment-22380.00
Shift: Move Spongy Moth Program From General Fund to Water Quality Protection Fund [Watershed Restoration]-100000.00
Decrease Cost: Lapse Adjustment [Energy, Climate, and Compliance]-1123060.00
Shift: Adjust FTE Allocation to Better Align With Responsibilities (General Fund) [Watershed Restoration]-241067-1.44
Shift: Adjust FTE Allocation to Better Align With Responsibilities (General Fund) [Administration]-257704-1.10
FY26 RECOMMENDED983928526.76
 
WATER QUALITY PROTECTION FUND
FY25 ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION36010241103.69
Changes (with service impacts)
Add: Outreach on Amended Bag Fee Law [Watershed Restoration]2500000.00
Add: Clean Water Montgomery Grants [Watershed Restoration]1500000.00
Add: New Position for Maintenance Compliance Program (Permitting and Code Enforcement Inspector III) [Watershed Restoration]1473671.00
Add: Administrative Services Program Support [Administration]337530.00
Add: New Internship Program [Administration]192240.00
Other Adjustments (with no service impacts)
Increase Cost: Department of Transportation Storm Drains Chargeback [Watershed Restoration]7633580.00
Shift: Adjust FTE Allocation to Better Align With Responsibilities (Water Quality Protection Fund) [Watershed Restoration]5079832.85
Increase Cost: Restore One-Time Lapse Increase [Administration]4696120.00
Increase Cost: FY26 Compensation Adjustment4239790.00
Increase Cost: Support for Water Quality Work at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission [Watershed Restoration]3722480.00
Increase Cost: Inspection Services [Watershed Restoration]2465000.00
Increase Cost: Above Ground Maintenance [Watershed Restoration]2092410.00
Increase Cost: Motor Pool Adjustment1784270.00
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY25 Compensation Increases1772580.00
Increase Cost: Below Ground Maintenance [Watershed Restoration]1344330.00
Shift: Adjust FTE Allocation to Better Align With Responsibilities (Water Quality Protection Fund) [Administration]602540.20
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY25 Lapsed Positions405330.00
Increase Cost: Finance Chargeback Adjustment [Administration]373200.00
Increase Cost: Three Percent Inflationary Adjustment to Non-Profit Service Provider Contracts [Watershed Restoration]294810.00
Increase Cost: Retirement Adjustment291090.00
Increase Cost: Office of Agriculture Chargeback [Watershed Restoration]267570.00
Increase Cost: Move Spongy Moth Program to Water Quality Protection Fund From General Fund [Watershed Restoration]150000.00
Increase Cost: Printing and Mail Adjustment120920.00
Increase Cost: Department of Finance Chargeback [Watershed Restoration]70000.00
Decrease Cost: Elimination of One-Time Items Approved in FY25-1100000.00
Decrease Cost: Annualization of FY25 Personnel Costs-1432920.00
Decrease Cost: Lapse Adjustment [Administration]-7203370.00
FY26 RECOMMENDED39377541107.74
Program Summary
Program NameFY25 APPR
Expenditures
FY25 APPR
FTEs
FY26 REC
Expenditures
FY26 REC
FTEs
Administration20451849.0511764076.05
Energy, Climate, and Compliance615834420.01677303220.31
Watershed Restoration37489634103.6341267387108.14
Total45693162132.6949216826134.50
Charges to Other Departments
Charged DepartmentCharged FundFY25
Total$
FY25
FTES
FY26
Total$
FY26
FTES
WATER QUALITY PROTECTION FUND
CIPCapital Fund291271718.90309295318.65
Funding Parameter Items ($000s)
TitleFY26FY27FY28FY29FY30FY31
COUNTY GENERAL FUND
EXPENDITURES
FY26 Recommended9839.0000009839.0000009839.0000009839.0000009839.0000009839.000000
No inflation or compensation change is included in outyear projections.
Labor Contracts0.00000021.00000021.00000021.00000021.00000021.000000
These figures represent the estimated annualized cost of general wage adjustments, service increments, and other negotiated items.
Subtotal Expenditures9839.0000009860.0000009860.0000009860.0000009860.0000009860.000000
 
WATER QUALITY PROTECTION FUND
EXPENDITURES
FY26 Recommended39378.00000039378.00000039378.00000039378.00000039378.00000039378.000000
No inflation or compensation change is included in outyear projections.
Annualization of Positions Recommended in FY260.00000030.00000030.00000030.00000030.00000030.000000
New positions in the FY26 budget are generally assumed to be filled at least three months after the fiscal year begins. Therefore, the above amounts reflect annualization of these positions in the outyears.
Elimination of One-Time Items Recommended in FY260.000000-57.000000-57.000000-57.000000-57.000000-57.000000
Items recommended for one-time funding in FY26, including a vehicle for a new position, will be eliminated from the base in the outyears.
Bag Tax Implemenation Outreach0.0000000.000000-100.000000-250.000000-250.000000-250.000000
Outreach and communications surrounding the amended bag fee law will run through FY28.
Labor Contracts0.00000053.00000053.00000053.00000053.00000053.000000
These figures represent the estimated annualized cost of general wage adjustments, service increments, and other negotiated items.
Subtotal Expenditures39378.00000039404.00000039304.00000039154.00000039154.00000039154.000000
Additional Documentation

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