Sustainable Monocacy Commission

Residents are encouraged to consider attending the public meetings held if interested in this Board. If you have expertise in this topic, please consider applying for a seat. Frederick County would appreciate your perspective and service.

Commission's Purpose

The Sustainable Monocacy Commission’s (SMC) purpose is to recommend policies that improve water quality, maintain and restore the ecological health and productivity of the Monocacy River and its tributaries, and conserve and protect wildlife habitat and the natural, cultural, and scenic character of the Monocacy River and its tributaries flowing in and through Frederick County.

Sustainable Monocacy Commission Highlights

October 2024 MPRP Public Comment Letter
Sustainable Monocacy Commission October 2024 Public Comment Letter to the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) regarding the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP).

2023 Monocacy River Report
An informational tool to educate and enlighten people about the incredible Scenic Monocacy River.

Monocacy River Access Point Map
A downloadable map identifying the locations of facilities allowing access to the Scenic Monocacy River.

Monocacy Scenic River Water Trail Map
A downloadable map, created by the Frederick County Division of Parks and Recreation, containing information about the history, wildlife, and character of the Scenic Monocacy River.

2023 Sustainable Monocacy Commission Annual Report
An annual report providing highlights of the Sustainable Monocacy Commission’s activities in 2023.

Meeting Times

The Commission meets monthly on the fourth Thursday at 6:30 pm.
Individuals requiring accommodations for a disability or language translation should email MonocacyCommission@FrederickCountyMD.gov or dial 711 for Maryland Relay Services at least three (3) working days prior to the meeting.

Location

Winchester Hall First Floor Conference Room
12 E. Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701

Meetings

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Current Members

Matthew Moran (Chair)
James Ryder (Vice-Chair)
Larissa Ahanogbe
Andrew Celmer
Charles E. Eirkson III
Drew Ferrier
Mike Karg
R. Gary Magnuson
Eric Roberts
Kimberly Stewart
Council Vice President Katie Nash (Ex-Officio, City of Frederick)
Council President Brad Young (Ex-Officio, Frederick County)

How to Get Involved

The Commission has 11 seats, including a designated member of the County Council and a member of the City Council. Appointments occur on a rolling basis or as positions open. Non-members are encouraged to attend and participate in activities. Qualifications for membership are set forth in the Frederick County Code of Ordinances, Part I, Chapter II, Article XIII, Section § 1-2-301 (Membership). Commission members are subject to the provisions of the Frederick County Ethics Ordinance.

Procedure for Appointment

Commission members are appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. Members serve 4-year terms. If your qualifications match current openings, please submit an application using the Online Application Form or by sending a letter of interest and a current resume to FCGBoards@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

General Questions

For questions regarding membership, please email FCGBoards@FrederickCountyMD.gov.
For questions regarding this Commission, please email MonocacyCommission@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

Agendas and Minutes

View Most Recent | View All

Historical Agendas and Minutes

Agendas | Minutes

Rules of Procedure

Sustainable Monocacy Commission Rules of Procedure
(Adopted August 26, 2021)

Monocacy River Maps, Reports, and Videos

Watershed Map of Frederick County
(8.5” x 11”) (34” x 44”) (42” x 50”)
Downloadable maps for the Monocacy River, Catoctin Creek, and Potomac River (Direct) watersheds in Frederick County. Watershed assessments have been compiled by the Frederick County Division of Energy and Environment for multiple watersheds and sub-watersheds, and reports can be found here.

Invasion of the Rusty Crayfish
Biologists from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have found invasive Rusty crayfish in the Monocacy River. DNR has banned the catch, possession, and use of Rusty crayfish as bait in the Middle Potomac River Basin, which includes the Monocacy River watershed.

Monocacy Assessment (Hood College) 2020 Final Report
(Video: March 25, 2021 Presentation of the Report to the Sustainable Monocacy Commission)

Monocacy River Management Plan - Council Approved 4/16/2019

Potomac: The River Runs Through Us
A 2013 video that explains human impacts on streams and rivers and the effects these impacts can have on community water supplies and the natural environment.

Incident Reporting

Fish Kills

If you find dead or dying fish in the Monocacy River or Potomac River, please contact the Maryland Department of the Environment’s Fish Kill Investigation Section at (443) 224-2731 or (800) 285-8195 (normal business hours).

On evenings, weekends, or holidays, call the Chesapeake Bay Safety and Environmental Hotline at 877-224-7229 or the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service at (301) 898-5443 with the time, date, location, fish species, and approximate number of affected fish. Photographs and a description of any unusual behavior or water conditions are also helpful.

Hazardous Spills or Environmental Issues (Emergency)

If you notice a potential spill of a hazardous substance or another environmental problem that poses a threat to public health or grave impact to the environment, please phone the Maryland Department of the Environment’s Emergency Response Hotline at (866) 633-4686.

If possible, please have the following information available when calling:

Name and telephone number of the person reporting the spill or issue
The location of the event, including the name of the affected stream and a street address (or latitude & longitude)
Identity of the spill material
The date and time of release
An estimated quantity of the material spilled, including the total mass, volume, or discharge rate

Illegal Discharges, Dumping, & Spills (Non-Emergency)

If it is not an emergency, the preferred method to report an issue is to use the County's reporting tool FCG FixIt, which will allow you to map the location and provide photos if desired. Alternatively, you may contact the Frederick County Division of Energy and Environment via:

Email: Sustainability@FrederickCountyMD.gov
Phone: (301) 600-1416
Text: (301) 900-5564

To contact the Sustainable Monocacy Commission, please send an email to MonocacyCommission@FrederickCountyMD.gov