Water Quality Advisory Group (WQAG)

The Montgomery County Water Quality Advisory Group (WQAG) provides a formal stakeholder group for public involvement in the County's watershed protection and restoration strategies. It includes 15 resident members and 3 non-voting agency members. The WQAG provides recommendations to the County Executive and the County Council on water quality management goals and policies, program priorities, and funding. It also provides input primarily by transmitting letters and an annual report. The WQAG was established through Chapter 19, Article IV of the Water Quality Discharge Law. WQAG’s mission is to recommend policies, programs, and priorities that protect, maintain, and/or restore the biological, chemical and physical integrity of county streams, rivers, wetlands, groundwater, lakes, and other water resources. WQAG recommendations are considered in shaping the water resources programmatic directions of the County.

Calendar of Advisory Group Activities

  • Monday, January 12, 2026 at 7 p.m. via Microsoft Teams
  • Monday, February 9, 2026 at 7 p.m. via Microsoft Teams
  • Monday, March 9, 2026 at 7 p.m. via Microsoft Teams
  • Monday, April 13, 2026 at 7 p.m. via Microsoft Teams
  • Monday, May 11, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. Fieldtrip location to be determined
  • Monday, June 8, 2026 at 7 p.m. via Microsoft Teams
  • Monday, July 13, 2026 at 7 p.m. via Microsoft Teams
  • No meeting in August
  • Monday, September 14, 2026 at 7 p.m. via Microsoft Teams
  • Monday, October 19, 2026 at 7 p.m. via Microsoft Teams
  • Monday, November 9, 2026 at 7 p.m. via Microsoft Teams
  • Monday, December 7, 2026 at 7 p.m. via Microsoft Teams

Meeting Agendas and Minutes

The WQAG provides recommendations to the County Executive and the County Council on water quality management goals and policies, program priorities, and funding. It also provides input primarily by transmitting letters and an annual report. The WQAG was established through Chapter 19, Article IV of the Water Quality Discharge Law.

WQAG’s mission is to recommend policies, programs, and priorities that protect, maintain, and/or restore the biological, chemical and physical integrity of county streams, rivers, wetlands, groundwater, lakes, and other water resources. WQAG recommendations are considered in shaping the water resources programmatic directions of the County. 

Members

WQAG is comprised of 3 non-voting public agencies and fifteen voting representatives from each of the following community categories:

Academic and Scientific

  • Amanda Rockler, Sandy Spring, 240-393-8346, [email protected] (First term expires 5/31/25)
  • Tracy Rouleau, Co-Chair, Gaithersburg, 240-316-8949, [email protected] (First term expires 5/31/25)

Agricultural

  • Travis Gorleski, Co-Chair, Derwood, 301-590-2835, [email protected] (First term expires 5/31/25)

Environmental

  • Allison Wright, Silver Spring, 919-951-8794, [email protected] (Second term expires 5/31/23)

Government Agency, non-voting

  • Bob Buglass, WSSC, Environmental Sciences Section, 301-206-0882, [email protected] (Second term expires 5/31/25)
  • Amy Stevens, Department of Environmental Protection, 240-777-7766, [email protected] (First term expires 5/31/25)
  • Mark Symborski, M-NCPPC, Department of Planning, 301-495-4636, [email protected] (Fifth term expires 5/31/25)

Public-at-Large

  • Keith Brooks, Derwood, 301-642-3108, [email protected] (Fourth term expires 5/31/25)
  • Phillip Mariscal, Washington, 240-308-0375, [email protected] (First term expires 5/31/26)
  • Linda Silversmith, Rockville, 301-641-9508, [email protected] (Fourth term expires 5/31/25)

Public Agencies (non-voting)

Department Liaison

Administrative Forms and Links for WQAG Members

County Bills and Codes Concerning the WQAG