Each month, we will highlight innovative, bay-oriented local actions. If you have a project that you'd like to see highlighted, please contact Catherine Shanks.

Forest Heights Green Roof Project and Zero Runoff Green Initiative

It all started in the fall of 2007, when the Town of Forest Heights completed a town tree planting. With the leadership of Councilwoman, Jacqueline Goodall, with support from Mayor Andrea McCutcheon and Town Council, the town has been awarded an Urban Tree Canopy Assessment Grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust to be used to develop a tree canopy plan for the whole town.

The Town is doing more than planting trees. They overcame many obstacles to replace the city hall?s failing roof with a green roof, completing the project in April 2010. With the addition of four 110-gallon rain barrels, Town Hall?s polluted rainwater runoff to the nearby Oxon Run is now zero. The green roof will also help lower energy costs and should not need to be repaired or replaced for at least 40 years. The roof serves as an example to other municipalities throughout DC of how attractive improvements can be made to public facilities that will reduce building energy use and polluted storm water runoff.

The Town Council has set a goal of zero runoff for the entire Forest Heights municipal grounds. Various grants have helped to develop a Zero Run-Off Demonstration Plan. When the project is completed, the hope is that there will be no runoff from the municipal grounds from those storms that occur on an average frequency of every 1-2 years. The majority of the best management practices (BMP?s) planned are now ready to construct. Recently funding has been awarded through a small watershed grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

The Town is making efforts to reduce its environmental impacts in other ways too. All of Town Hall?s original windows have been replaced with high performance energy?star types with funds from the State of Maryland. Additionally, they have been awarded a grant from the Department of Energy through Prince Georges County for the installation of solar panels which, when installed, will take the building completely off the electrical grid.

Councilwoman Goodall said; "I have found that there are resources to assist municipalities to become environmentally sustainable out there. However, it requires the political will and the drive to address the environmental footprint and upfront costs. The results will be worth it environmentally and economically." Contact Councilwoman Jacqueline Goodall at jacquelinegoodall@msn.com

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