Greetings Neighbors,

Spring is here! Time to enjoy longer days, allowing us to be active outside, hearing the birds sing, awaiting the beautiful flowers and the annual Cherry Blossoms to bloom. Spring is considered the Rebirth season and we welcome the rejuvenation of the season, post our year of Covid. However, we have to still be cognizant that Covid-19 is still with us, so please continue to be responsible by wearing your mask, staying social distanced, and washing your hands often.

This issue shares:

• Registration link for you to attend District 8's 3rd Charrette, hosted on Wednesday, March 31 - 6:30-8:00 pm. Our first Charrette, was the first virtual meeting held in the County during the pandemic, on March 25, 2020, and we had a strong turnout. I always say that "Your Voice Matters" and the response we received to the community planning survey, was invaluable in guiding this process. We hosted the new developer in the study plan area, for the second charrette, so that the community could learn firsthand of proposed plans and to share their desires for the area. You don't want to miss the third Charrette to hear firsthand the vibrant plans for the District 8 community.
• Registration link for the 1st Prince George's County Sustainability Summit for Homeowners and Civic Associations - Tuesday, March 30 - 6:30-8:30 pm.
• M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County re-opening select facilities starting Monday, March 29.

Hate Crimes Must End!

The Asian hate crimes in the past weeks are unsettling and Desmond Tutu's words continue to ring true. "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor". I hope that we stand up for right, in all instances, whenever people are being treated unfairly. Being honorable and providing supportive voices for others is what community is about. We must be Community Strong!

Register for the 1st Prince George’s County Sustainability Summit – March 30, 2021

Are you a Prince George's County homeowners or civic association resident or board member? Do you care about your community's health and want to keep your neighborhood clean and "green"?

Sustainable Maryland is pleased to invite you to the VIRTUAL Prince George's County SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT for Homeowners/Civic Associations! Residents and board members of homeowners and civic associations in Prince George's County will learn about how they can organize their communities to become sustainable, and hear from community Green Teams that are doing this work already. Presentations will include: UMD's Sustainable Maryland program; County staff; and local Green Teams. 

View the Agenda and Register Here

Register for the Third District 8 Charrette Meeting - Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Register for the third District 8 Charrette Meeting on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 - 6:30-8:00 pm. This Community Planning Meeting, our third Charrette, on the Henson Creek Village Area Study.  See presentations reflecting information from the community surveys and the interactive sessions we have had on transforming our community.  Register Here

County Council Meeting - March 16, 2021 - Government Programs & Services Related to Flooding Issues

On March 16, 2021, in lieu of flooding issues, the following agencies, DEPARTMENT OF PERMITTING, INSPECTIONS AND ENFORCEMENT (DPIE), DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION (DPW&T), DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT (DOE), U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS (USACE), and WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY DISTRICT (WSSC) provided presentations to the County Council.  See the list of representatives below. View the full session here: https://bit.ly/2Pc8mYS My comments start at 3:01:00.   March 16 County_Council_21-03-16_Meeting_Minutes.pdf Click Here for the agencies presentations                                                                                                      ********************* I have sponsored legislation on the crisis-level flooding and erosion issues experienced in the District 8 community and throughout the County. CR-029-2021: An Army Corps of Engineers Flood Assessment and Mapping Study - For Full Resolution, Click Here: CR-029-2021 (DR-2) An Army Corps of Engineers Flood Assessment and Mapping Study.pdf This resolution was presented at this Tuesday's County Council Session - 3-23-21 and has the full support of the Council. This resolution is for the purpose of declaring the intent of the County Council to request the County to commence a County-wide flooding assessment and mapping study, performed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in order to assist the County in updating existing flooding and mapping studies as well as to inform and guide future community planning with current data and flood-risk metrics that provide a comprehensive assessment on the impact of bioretention, sprawl and new development. CB-025-2021: Plans and Studies Conducted Pursuant to the County’s Floodplain Ordinance - For Full Bill, Click Here: B2021025.pdf This bill requests all new development that is planned to happen on floodplains have a third-party conduct a floodplain study.  Right now, the County does not require an independent third-party to conduct floodplain studies. Developers can pay a fee and receive a waiver to not do a floodplain study. Our bill will require the developers to provide a third-party study if they want to build on a floodplain.                                              ************************ At the heart of this legislation is the desire to see Prince George's remain a vibrant and innovative County to live, work, play, and learn. This resolution is aligned with collective priorities to safeguard people and drinking water, protect the generational wealth of homeowners, and improve our infrastructure as our residents face the flood-risk associated with the frequency and intensity of storm and rainfall events.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY COORDINATED RESPONSE:  

DEPARTMENT OF PERMITTING, INSPECTIONS AND ENFORCEMENT (DPIE):

Melinda Bolling, Director, DPIE

Dawit Abraham, Deputy Director, DPIE

Mary Giles, Associate Director, DPIE

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION (DPW&T):

Terry Bellamy, Director, DPW&T

Gwen Clerkley, Deputy Director, DPW&T

Charlie Griffith, Project Manager

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT (DOE):

Michelle W. Russell, Acting Director, DoE

Jeffrey M. DeHan, Associate Director, Stormwater Management Division

Dawn Hawkins-Nixon, Associate Director, Sustainability Division

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS (USACE):

Carlos Lazo, Government Affairs Officer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District

Tony Clark, Chief, Technical Assistance Branch, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore

WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY DISTRICT (WSSC):

Glen Diaz, Division Manager, Water/Wastewater Systems Assessment Division

Raymond A. Chicca, Division Manager, Development Services

Karyn Riley, Director, Intergovernmental Relations Office

Guy Andes, Government Relations Manager

M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George's County is Re-Opening Select Facilities Starting Monday March 29, 2021

M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County is reopening select facilities starting Monday, March 29, to provide the community more activities to live more play more. Registration for these offerings will begin on Thursday, March 25 through pgparksdirect.com.  Click Here for Full Information on Facilities and Offerings