Leaders in Stormwater: DON DORSEY

This LEADER IN STORMWATER lives and breathes MS4 permit compliance and has managed Frederick County’s compliance with annual permitting reporting requirements for the last 7 years - DON DORSEY, Frederick County Dept. Head of Stormwater, Division of Energy and Environment (DEE).

Don found his passion for stormwater while obtaining his Biology (freshwater) degree at St. Mary's College when he had the privilege to work with MD DNR on a grant project focused on biological monitoring of local streams in St. Mary's County. This strengthened his dedication to the stormwater field and, more specifically, to the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit efforts that play a crucial role in environmental conservation. 

Upon graduation, Don gained immeasurable experience working with Montgomery County for 17 years; and then in 2017, he joined the Frederick County DEE where he continues to work with an amazing team that oversees a significant portion of the County’s MS4. Don’s day is threaded with dialogue and decision making related to stream monitoring through the County Stream Survey while managing staff responsible for dry weather flow screenings (IDDE program); stormwater management (SWM) design; reforestation; and stream restoration projects seeking MS4 credits. Don is also involved with public outreach (tabling, litter cleanups, storm drain marking). 

Throughout his career, Don has been inspired by the dedication of the government, consulting/construction industry, and constituents working together to improve the health of our streams within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Don explains, “In such a divided society, it's crucial that we return to the fundamentals of dialogue, understanding diverse viewpoints and seeking common ground. Watersheds have suffered from 400 years of neglect, and [while] those responsible for improving them are dedicated, we must prioritize time, patience, and mutual understanding in all of our efforts.” 

Don enjoys working with both natural and infrastructure systems, “driven by project goals aimed at improving past decisions”. He gives a nod to a project he completed that received the 2023 2nd Place County Engineers Association of Maryland Award for its cutting edge design - the Catoctin Creek Watershed Restoration - four climate resilient stormwater pond retrofits that upgraded a road culvert to safely convey larger storms and reduce temperatures to receiving streams, and 1500LF of associated stream restoration. Don has a deep regard for streams as they sparked his passion for wanting to work in the MS4 field in the first place. Born and raised among the waterways of Keedysville, MD, Don still lives there with his wife Jenni and their children where they enjoy a variety of water sports "to decompress from life’s stressors”. Don also serves on the MD Municipal Stormwater Association Board where they stand for clean waters and safe infrastructure based on sound science and good public policy.