Frederick County Division of Energy and Environment

Frederick County Division of Energy and Environment Social Media Forum Policy

Welcome to the official page for The Frederick County Division of Energy & Environment.

The Division of Energy and Environment is comprised of the Department of Stormwater and the Department of Climate & Energy, working together to help build a resilient, sustainable community for all. Visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/DEE for more information about this agency. The purpose of this page is to present matters of public interest related to Frederick County Government as they con

cern our many residents, businesses and visitors. This is a limited online discussion site and not a public forum. We ask that users post responsibly and respectfully on any posted topic. Community Guidelines: Once posted, the County reserves the right to delete any submissions, including:
1) vulgar or profane language,
2) threatening or personal attacks of any kind,
3) comments or content that promotes, fosters or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or intellectual disability or sexual orientation,
4) spam, sales, or links to other sites that are inappropriate,
5) clearly off topic,
6) advocacy of illegal activity,
7) promotion of particular services, products or political organizations or candidates for office, 8) infringement on copyrights or trademarks,
9) personally identifiable medical information, and
10) information that may compromise the safety, security or proceedings of public systems or any criminal or civil investigations. The County reserves the right to restrict or remove any content that is deemed in violation of these guidelines or any applicable law, and reserves the right to delete comments that are more than 30 days old. Those who provide content to this site agree to have no expectation of privacy in the information provided. The County is not responsible for and does not endorse any links embedded in comments posted to this site by third parties. This site does not circumvent or supersede the County's normal business practices or processes. For example, responses to requests for proposals, invitations for bid, or other competitive procurements are not properly submitted via this site. Content submitted to this site is not legal notice to the County. Comments expressed on this site do not necessarily reflect the opinions and position of Frederick County Government or its elected officers and employees. Questions with regard to these guidelines should be e-mailed to [email protected].

Most people wouldn't think of washing a car in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay- but that's exactly where soap can flow ...
06/13/2026

Most people wouldn't think of washing a car in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay- but that's exactly where soap can flow when you wash a car at home!

Water that drains down driveways and into storm drains heads straight into streams and rivers. There is no filtration system. And all local waterways lead to the Chesapeake Bay and on to the Atlantic Ocean.

So, use a commercial car wash facility whenever possible- they are required to capture and send soapy, chemical-laden water to a treatment plant or recycling system. Automated car washes also use less water than hand-washing typically does.

If you wash your car at home, do it on a surface like grass that can absorb and filter the runoff. Use biodegradable products and dispose of excess soapy water by pouring it down a sink. (Sinks, toilets, and showers are connected to a septic or sewer system, not the stormwater system.)

Small actions can add up to big impacts. Thanks for taking steps to keep our watershed clean along with your car!

Continuing our exploration of , it's important to note that the health of the Chesapeake Bay starts many miles away. An...
06/12/2026

Continuing our exploration of , it's important to note that the health of the Chesapeake Bay starts many miles away. And some of the Bay's greatest upstream allies are trees!

Among many other attributes, trees reduce pollution and improve air and water quality, filter and absorb excess nutrients, and anchor soil so it does not erode into waterways. Tree canopies slow down rainfall and their root systems hold large amounts of water to help reduce flooding. Trees provide shade that reduces air and stream temperatures, making healthier habitats. And trees provide food and habitat for the Bay's migratory bird populations.

For those reasons and more, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources provides a $25 coupon to discount the cost of planting a tree! The state has also set an ambitious goal of having 5 Million more trees in Maryland- and you can register trees you plant to help reach that great, green goal!

For landowners wanting a forest, not a tree, initiatives like our Creek ReLeaf program plant free native trees and offer five years of no-cost maintenance.

Check the comments section for links to more info on these treerific programs!

Earlier today we posted about native Blue Crabs. It turns out that humans aren't the only ones who think they are delici...
06/10/2026

Earlier today we posted about native Blue Crabs. It turns out that humans aren't the only ones who think they are delicious...this guy turned up ready for a buffet. Unfortunately this party crasher is an invasive species.

Decades ago, the blue catfish was imported into Virginian freshwater rivers but escaped and adapted just fine to the saltier waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Where it is a voracious predator of other fish- and CRABS.

That's bad news, BUT, the good news is that blue catfish themselves are in fact quite tasty. Because they are not bottom feeders, they don't have the "muddy" flavor our native catfish do. Rarely has controlling an invasive species been so rewarding- and high in Omega-3 fatty acids. These adaptable invaders have few natural predators...So, go fish!

For an entire catalog of blue catfish recipes visit https://marylandsbest.maryland.gov/category/recipes-tips/seafood/blue-catfish/

Crabs are more than just delicious! In continued celebration of , here are some cool facts about this watershed icon: ...
06/10/2026

Crabs are more than just delicious! In continued celebration of , here are some cool facts about this watershed icon:

- Blue crabs can detect movement and see in nearly all directions thanks to stalked compound eyes. They are aggressive predators that help keep populations of small clams, worms, and fish in balance.

- They’re an indicator species. Scientists track blue crab populations as one measure of the Chesapeake Bay’s overall health. Changes in water quality and habitat often affect crabs quickly.

- Female blue crabs have red-tipped claws (“painted nails”), while males usually have bright blue claws. (None of them have red shells before they are cooked!)

- They migrate! Female crabs often travel toward saltier waters near the mouth of the Bay to spawn up to 8 million eggs at one time.

- They’re a key food source. Blue crabs and their eggs feed many species, including fish, birds, and turtles. OK, fine. They are also delicious and some people like them too.

Whether you enjoy your crabs in the water or on your table, a healthy Chesapeake Bay is good for everyone! Visit our website for simple actions you can take:
www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/watershed

Today we continue to celebrate Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week by shining a light on efforts by Green Team Urbana. This vo...
06/09/2026

Today we continue to celebrate Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week by shining a light on efforts by Green Team Urbana. This volunteer group recently worked on installing beautiful new public signs that explain how neighborhood bioretention stormwater systems work- and are connected to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. And now they have gotten the next generation of conservationists involved too!

Working with our staff and Frederick, fifth grade students from Sugarloaf Elementary joined the Green Team effort to label storm drains and show their direct connection to local waterways.

Storm drains do not filter water, so any pet waste, litter, or chemicals that wash down drains head straight to local creeks, streams, and rivers. The students are doing their part to keep waterways clean- and you can too!

Visit our website to learn about our Storm Drain Marking program and how you can bring this initiative to your neighborhood.

www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/StormDrains

🌊It's time to celebrate Bay Awareness Week! This year’s theme, "Built by Nature, Protected Together" celebrates the habi...
06/08/2026

🌊It's time to celebrate Bay Awareness Week! This year’s theme, "Built by Nature, Protected Together" celebrates the habitats, species, and systems that support the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and the shared commitment it takes to protect them.

🦀How are YOU connected to the Chesapeake Bay?
52 BILLION gallons of water flow into the Bay each day- including water from every creek, stream, and river in Frederick County. That means whatever we put into our local storm drains and waterways- litter, lawn chemicals, pet waste, fertilizer, soaps, etc. - can impact the health of this critical regional habitat.

Stay tuned this week for more Bay Facts and tips on how to help protect this unique and important natural resource.


Chesapeake Bay Watershed Facts:
- Includes over 100,000 streams, creeks, and rivers
- Covers 64,000 square miles, from New York State to Virginia
- Includes a population over over 18.5 million people
- Is home to over 3,500 species of plants and animals

It's World Environment Day and while we usually encourage people to "go green," today we're actually asking you to consi...
06/05/2026

It's World Environment Day and while we usually encourage people to "go green," today we're actually asking you to consider a little -less- green...at least when it comes to things like watering your lawn.

Despite some recent rain, a regional drought watch is in effect as a result of higher than average seasonal temperatures and lower than average precipitation. A "watch" means we are suggesting voluntary conservation using wise water practices.

Here are some ways you can conserve water today to help preserve our waterways, aquatic habitats, groundwater levels, and the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed:

- water lawns less and never during the heat of day when it will evaporate quickly
- run only full loads of dishes or laundry
- let a little dust gather on your car, then use an automatic car wash, not a hose
- take a shower that is a couple minutes shorter
- now is the time to fix drips and leaks
- add mulch to conserve water in your garden's soil

If conditions worsen, a drought warning can be enacted, encouraging voluntary water restrictions, followed by a drought emergency that would put mandatory water restrictions in place.

Save a little water today to support a greener tomorrow.

If you are doing great, “green” things in our community, please apply to have your work recognized- and help shine a lig...
06/03/2026

If you are doing great, “green” things in our community, please apply to have your work recognized- and help shine a light on sustainability successes in our community!

You could be a teacher or student group that advocates for the environment. A local business balancing profits and planet protection. A farm that prioritizes resource conservation and land stewardship.

If you know someone leading the way to a greener future, nominate them or encourage them to apply for the Frederick County Sustainability Award!

Application period closes on June 10, 2026. Visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/GreenAward to learn more or apply.

The Frederick County Sustainability Award shines a light on those who are taking action and making a difference for our ...
05/20/2026

The Frederick County Sustainability Award shines a light on those who are taking action and making a difference for our environment and in our community.

This program is open to individuals, businesses, industries, nonprofits, and students/student groups who are engaged in sustainability work- and there are a lot of ways to "go green!"

Through June 30, you can apply for yourself or nominate someone you know. Learn more and apply online:
www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/GreenAward

On World Bee Day we are excited to announce that Frederick County and the City of Frederick have both become part of the...
05/20/2026

On World Bee Day we are excited to announce that Frederick County and the City of Frederick have both become part of the Bee City USA program! That means we are strengthening our commitment to protecting natural habitats and taking actions to support pollinators.

Pollinators are key not only to environmental health but also play a critical role for our farm community. Fly on over to our website to see how you can help bee the change- from planting native wildflowers, to reducing garden chemical use, and maybe leaving a few piles of leaves at the edges of your yard. Many small actions can make a big buzz!

www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/BeeCity

Address

30 North Market Street
Frederick, MD
21701

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Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

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+13016001416

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