The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is now accepting applications for its RainScapes Reward Rebate program, which encourages residents and businesses to manage stormwater runoff. Local property owners can receive rebates up to $7,500, while businesses may get as much as $20,000 for implementing eco-friendly design features that help reduce pollution in rivers and streams.
According to the Montgomery County release, as the climate crisis leads to more frequent and severe weather events, this program serves as an important countermeasure. The DEP has allocated nearly $610,000 annually for these rebates, with about $410,000 still available on a first-come, first-served basis. The funding comes from the Water Quality Protection Charge, which all county property owners, except those in Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Takoma Park, are required to pay.
In a statement from the Montgomery County release, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich expressed his support for the program, saying, "RainScapes are a simple, but powerful, way to improve the health of our local environment while addressing the growing impacts of climate change." He highlighted the importance of managing stormwater runoff to protect water quality and ecosystems and noted that the program helps make green upgrades more affordable.
Eligible projects for rebates include a variety of implementations, from green roofs, which treat rainfall before it hits the ground, to permeable pavements, water harvesting systems, and specific garden setups that slow down stormwater runoff. DEP Director Jon Monger noted, "Property owners can enhance any type of property, including single-family homes, apartment buildings, condominiums and townhouses, with a RainScape, beautifying their landscape while protecting it from water damage," in the same release.
Residents interested in the RainScapes initiative can complete an application and uncover more details on the DEP's website. To stay updated on projects, workshops, events, and program developments, the department encourages signing up for the RainScapes Gazette and following their social media outlets.
