In The Zone: December 2018

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Photo of attendees at climate meeting

Class Convenes for Climate Leaders

Announced in May 2018, the Maryland Climate Leadership Academy will host more than 200 participants representing state and local governments, academic institutions and private businesses. The first of three classes convened Nov. 19, at Chesapeake College, with the other two classes beginning in December.

The academy is the nation’s first state-sponsored institution providing continuing education and executive training programs specifically designed for community officials, infrastructure executives and business leaders.


Photo of completed project

Completed Projects Aid Two Major Watersheds

The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection has recently completed a $19 million Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund grant, which funded nonpoint source pollution reductions at 27 sites.

The projects are located in the Rock Creek and Anacostia watersheds, which flow into the Potomac River, and the Hawlings River watershed, which flows into the Patuxent River. Work included 2.5 miles of stream restoration, four pond retrofits, 323 green infrastructure best management practices, and one reforestation project with 1,057 newly planted trees.

These efforts resulted in total pollution reductions of 2,612 lbs./year nitrogen, 1,031 lbs./year phosphorous and 673,010 lbs./year sediment.


Photo of people planting on shore

Restoring Coastal Habitats and Building Climate Resiliency

The Havre de Grace Stormwater Management and Wetland Enhancement Project day-lighted a segment of an 18-inch concrete stormwater pipe, which directly discharged into the Susquehanna River. It was replaced with a regenerative stormwater conveyance system, which will slow the water, and provide infiltration and water quality treatment before reaching the tidal interface.

In addition, vegetated headland breakwaters were installed using boulders, sand fill and native wetland plants.

This project is located at the south end of the city at the public promenade and museum cultural district, which includes the Concord Point lighthouse, Havre de Grace Decoy Museum and Maritime Museum.


Photo of people on construction site with map

Community Creek Restoration Project Nears Finish Line

The Cattail Creek Stream and Wetland Restoration project is on track to be finished within the next month, then planted in spring 2019.

Made possible through the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, this project is a partnership between the state and Anne Arundel County Stormwater Fund administered through the Chesapeake Bay Trust. It is a community-driven effort, where the surrounding neighbors have been actively involved in the plan, design and implementation of the project every step of the way, including investing $25,000 of neighborhood funds.

This project helps Anne Arundel County achieve its Chesapeake Bay restoration goals by improving the creek's water quality, which drains into the Magothy River.


Photo of storefront damaged by devestating floods in Ellicott City

Coast Smart Annual Report Now Available

Maryland state agencies have reported their progress in implementing the Coast Smart Construction Program.

These initiatives are recorded in the 2017 annual report issued by the Maryland Coast Smart Council, established by the General Assembly in 2014, to set specific siting and design criteria to address resiliency for projects planned and built by the state. The council works to minimize sea level rise, storm inundation and coastal flood impacts on capital investments to assure infrastructure and taxpayer dollars are being protected.

The report is an excellent demonstration of Maryland’s efforts to proactively prepare for and respond to climate change.


Photo of man fishing

Envision the Choptank Develops Common Agenda

A partnership of 15 organizations and agencies have worked together since 2016 to identify collaborative solutions and target work in places where it will be the most effective and long-lasting for improving water quality, wildlife habitat and community well-being. 

The Common Agenda provides a snapshot of the Choptank River's status and outlines the challenges to improving and maintaining the health of the watershed. It lays out a collaboratively-defined set of goals, objectives and strategies.

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