This page has been developed to support your efforts in maintaining and managing stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP's) on your property. Here is a link to the Sustainable Landscape Maintenance Manual For the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. This manual offers comprehensive technical information on an array of BMP's, and the information on this page has been pulled from the manual for quick access.
Anyone who has a stormwater BMP knows that it is not a static system--these practices evolve throughout their life cycle and require time, and sometimes extra money, to maintain them. You first must decide if you (the homeowner) will be maintaining your practice or a hired professional. You can follow the guidelines on this page or use landscape companies that are trained in maintaining stormwater practices, such as those certified as NGCIP or Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals.
New in 2026 - Hands on Maintenance Workshops
We partnered with the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional program to offer our first maintenance workshop at no cost in April 2026. We will host another workshop this fall on October 28th from 5-7pm at te Central Maryland Research and Education Center (CMREC) in Ellicott City. Sign up to follow.
April 2026 Workshop materials:
- Vegetated Stormwater Practices: Maintenance Assessment Checklist
- Recommended Maintenance for Rain Gardens
- Recommended Maintenance for Conservation Landscaping
- Recommended Maintenance for Permeable Pavers
- Annual Landscape Maintenance Plan
- Updated list of Howard County Certified CBLP's
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