The Study Area lies between Washington and Baltimore, which have experienced considerable growth in households and employment in recent years. I-95/US 1 and I-270 are two of the most intensive employment, residential and transportation corridors in the State of Maryland. The I-270 corridor is an important location for high technology, extending from the Capital Beltway (I-495) through Clarksburg. Montgomery County municipal areas within the Study Area include North Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Germantown and Clarksburg. Prince George’s County municipal areas within the Study Area include Laurel and Beltsville.
The Study Area is rich in natural, social and cultural resources. Among the natural resources is the extensive, north-south oriented stream valley park system in central and eastern Montgomery County that includes Rock Creek Park, Northwest Branch Recreational Park, Paint Branch Park and Patuxent River State Park. Communities, agricultural areas, open space, cultural resources, recreational resources, wooded regions, and wetlands also characterize the Study Area.