Annapolis Hyundai Stormwater Project

TOP 10 THINGS YOU CAN DO:
1. Use lawn and garden chemicals sparingly or use organic alternatives.

2. Choose low-maintenance native plants. Consider starting a rain garden.

3. Never dump anything down storm drains.

4. Wash your car on the lawn or gravel.

5. Check your car for leaks and recycle car fluids.

6. Dispose of your pet waste in the garbage or flush it down the toilet.

7. Sweep up driveways and sidewalks instead of hosing.

8. Buy and use environmentally friendly products.

9. Drive less- walk, bicycle, take the bus or share a ride.

10. Participate in community environmental activities to help Save the Chesapeake Bay.

Much of the Spa Creek watershed (approx. a 2.4 square mile area that drains into the creek)is covered by parking lots, roofs, driveways and sidewalks- impervious surfaces that don't allow rain to soak into the ground.  Rainwater is directed into a storm drain system which eventually empties into Spa Creek- unfiltered and untreated.  On its way into the storm drain system, rainwater picks up fertilizers, loose soil, pet waste, oil and gas residue and other pollutants from lawns, roofs, parking lots and streets- all of which is directly deposited into Spa Creek. Spa Creek flows into the mouth of the Severn River which then empties into the Chesapeake Bay.

Once a haven for fishing, crabbing and boating, Spa Creek has been classified as a highly impaired urban watershed.  The creek is currently unfit for swimming and sediment build up is reducing navigable waters for boaters. 

One way to greatly reduce the amount of stormwater pollution caused by run-off is to install Rain Gardens  on your property.  Rain gardens use plants, soils, and soil dwelling organisms to naturally remove pollutants from stormwater. Gardens built with native Maryland plants require no fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides to flourish in the local ecosystem. Built in low lying areas, rain gardens naturally filter runoff, reducing stormwater pollution from entering Spa Creek.

Annapolis Hyundai falls within the Spa Creek Watershed, and in an effort to do our part to save the Chesapeake Bay we are partnering with Spa Creek Conservancy and the Chesapeake Bay Trust  to be the first automotive dealership in Annapolis to include Rain Gardens on their property.  



Thanks to all the students and teachers from Bates Middle School, the volunteers of the SCC, the Mayor's office, the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Capital, and the MADA for their support and for braving the 20 degree weather.  Also, kudos to the associates of Annapolis Hyundai who moved the vehicle inventory, planted, cleaned up and hosted the 50+ guests on Thursday, Dec. 9th for our Environmental Preservation Initiative to lessen the impact of stormwater run off on Spa Creek!