Post date: Jan 10, 2013 1:16:15 AM

Towson, MD - Community members, business people and others interested in the local environment are invited to learn about and contribute to efforts to improve the critically important watershed area east of the Loch Raven Reservoir.

The Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability (DEPS) and the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy will co-host a community meeting to introduce the Small Watershed Action Plan (SWAP) for the Loch Raven East watershed. The planning area wraps around the eastern side of the Loch Raven Reservoir, north to Phoenix and Jacksonville, and east to Manor Road.

Community input is integral to the plan, which will guide restoration efforts in the watershed to improve stream health and positively affect water quality in this reservoir that provides drinking water to 1.8 million people in the Baltimore region, as well as improving water quality in local steams and the Chesapeake Bay.

Community members will have the opportunity to share their ideas about the SWAP and sign up to take action to protect and restore the watershed.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, located at 13300 Manor Road in Glen Arm, MD 21057 (at the corner of Dulaney Valley and Manor Roads).

For more information, people may call 410-887-5683 and speak to Erin Wisnieski.