City of Bowie - Green Page

Green Partners

The City of Bowie GREEN demonstration projects are unique due to high visibility, collaboration among government sectors, extensive community outreach, and that they are intended to influence County code/ordinance revisions. Municipal sustainable demonstration projects will serve to illustrate that Low Impact Development, renewable energy, habitat restoration, conservation landscaping and Green Building are feasible and affordable, that these technologies are accessible to the private sector, and supported and encouraged by the public sector.

In order to optimize local expertise and achieve the desired outcomes for all municipal Green Initiatives, the City has established partnerships with the following agencies and organizations. Established partners in the Parks and Grounds Facility Project include:

Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Environmental Design Program: The State has legislation mandating all state capital projects be conducted in accordance with LEED™ criteria, encouraging the use of Low Impact Development (LID) and Green Building methods. DNR has established a program in order to conduct public educational outreach on the environmental benefits and cost savings to Environmental Design. DNR staff has already implemented several LID projects, participated in educating City staff, and conducted a presentation to Bowie City Council which resulted in an unanimous vote to "Go Green". They organized and facilitated the Green Building Tour for Local Governments at staff's request. They will continue to assist the City in all public or educational presentations and workshops, and will offer their expertise throughout the design phase of the Parks and Grounds Facility. DNR has awarded the City of Bowie $55,000 towards the construction of LID components in this demonstration project.

Chesapeake and Coastal Watershed Service staff develops Watershed Restoration Action Strategies (WRAS) in partnership with municipal and county governments. DNR has awarded the City of Bowie $24,000 for the implementation of specific objectives that are part of the Western Branch WRAS, being developed in collaboration with Prince George's County Department Environmental Resources (DER). This grant is funding the incorporation of pollution preventing and water conserving features in the design of the Parks and Grounds Facility.

Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Environmental Planning Section: M-NCPPC is responsible for programs related to the protection of the natural environment. The Environmental Planning Section evaluates the impact of land use plans and development proposals using standards that address air quality, noise, landscape features and habitat. M-NCPPC is the lead role in the design review process, and upholds and revises standards and design criteria. They are responsible for all revisions to Zoning Ordinance and appropriate County policies basic land planning and design principles, which are based on established and documented demonstrations. Methods or techniques that have become an integral part of professional practice are frequently considered for revisions.

The Development Review Division is where the policies, land uses, zoning activities and design guidelines are joined to ordinance requirements, private market development proposals, and professional land-planning practices. This department directly influences and controls the built environment. The City's partnership with both these divisions at MNCPPC, will provide documentation of areas in which green building projects do not meet current code to be used in consideration for code revision.

Prince George's County, Department of Environmental Resources (DER): Prince George’s County, Department of Environmental Resources (DER): The Programs and Planning Division (PPD) of DER is responsible for environmental stewardship of the county, and is nationally recognized as a model for ecosystem management and restoration. Programs administered by DER focus on the quality of streams, on pollution prevention, the restoration of the Anacostia River and its tributaries, the preservation and replacement of trees, and the protection of the Chesapeake Bay. DER is nationally recognized as leaders in LID technology.

DER staff will offer invaluable consultation throughout the project on site development and LID design. These projects include the Parks and Grounds Facility, Whitemarsh Park LID Retrofit, Gallant Fox Lane Urban Retrofit and Wetland Restoration, Old Town Bowie Street Improvement Program, and other projects that satisfy the objectives outlined in both the Upper Patuxent and Western Branch WRAS. DER awarded the City of Bowie $300,000 towards the Whitemarsh Park LID demonstration project.

The Permit & Review Division (PRD) provides technical support to review fire, life safety and site inspections throughout a construction project. The law requires that an owner or authorized agent shall obtain a permit to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, move, improve, connect, demolish, use and/or occupy, or raze any building. PRD assists in determining the type of permit needed and works with the development community for the completion of a successful project venture.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service, BayScapes Program: The City has partnered with the BayScapes program previously to create one of the State's first BayScapes garden demonstrating the use of Conservation Landscaping. The USFWS has partnered again with the City on the Parks and Grounds Facility demonstration project to model "whole site design" concepts, designing an entire site using Conservation Landscape Techniques. This project will be a particular challenge given the parameters of the site and the nature of the project. Bayscaping will be incorporated into LID components.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a private, non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, established by Congress in 1984 and dedicated to the conservation of fish, wildlife, and plants, and the habitat on which they depend. There goals are to promote healthy populations of fish, wildlife, and plants by generating new commerce for conservation. The Foundation meets these goals by creating partnerships between the public and private sectors and strategically invests in conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. The Foundation has awarded the City of Bowie $25,000 towards the design phase of the Parks and Grounds Facility, and another $25,000 towards the Whitemarsh Park LID retrofit demonstration project.

Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), Rebuild America Program: The City was recently asked to partner with MEA in the Rebuild America Program. This partnership provides technical assistance in determining and achieving energy savings to municipal buildings, as well as in non-building sectors. It will also consist of public outreach and education. MEA awarded the City of Bowie $30,000 in grant assistance for the design phase of the Parks and Grounds Facility, and another $65,000 towards construction. These funds are to ensure a LEED™ Silver certification and energy conservation measures.

The Patuxent River Commission, serve as stewards and advocates for the Patuxent River and lead and inspire actions to protect, enhance, and restore living resources and the natural, cultural, economic, and recreational values of the Patuxent River and its watershed.

The Center for Chesapeake Communities (CCC) works directly with local governments and their communities, providing them technical assistance to move their communities toward a more sustainable future. CCC will be documenting our environmental projects as case studies to be offered to other local governments. These case studies will model for other communities the feasibility, affordability and environmental benefits to operating more sustainably. The lessons learned from our city projects, and the tools and strategies implemented can be transferred to other communities throughout the watershed.

The Chesapeake Bay Trust promotes awareness and participation in the protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and its Maryland tributaries. The City has received a grant to conduct a public LID demonstration project that will offer hands on learning opportunities for staff and residents on how to construct a rain garden, install rain barrels, and extend a forest buffer. This demonstration project will be held in Allen Pond Park during the fall of 2005. Please check the GREEN Initiatives Calendar for more details.