COASTAL HAZARD PLANNING
Coastal hazard management in Maryland is a coordinated effort between federal, state and local agencies, along with numerous non-governmental partners. Management Partners all work collectively to achieve a common goal of enhancing the State’s preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation efforts. Over the past several years, network partners have made significant strides to advance coastal hazard management through a number of Planning and Policy Initiatives.
NOTE: This section was created in Summer 2005 as changes may have occurred that could affect these descriptions, contact the program listed in the table for further information.
Management Partners
FEDERAL PARTNERS |
||
NOAA administers the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), which provides a comprehensive framework to address a broad range of coastal issues. The 1990 Reauthorization established the Coastal Zone Enhancement Program, CZMA § 309, allowing states to request additional funding to amend their coastal programs to support attainment of one or more coastal zone enhancement objectives, including coastal hazard mitigation. State implementation of the CZMA is facilitated by DNR’s Coastal Program . |
FEMA is the primary federal agency with emergency management responsibilities in the coastal zone. FEMA’s state partner for emergency response is the Maryland Emergency Management Agency . FEMA is also the federal agency responsible for implementing the National Flood Insurance Program, which provides subsidized insurance for damage to structures due to flooding. The Maryland Department of the Environment is the state coordinating office for the NFIP. |
The Corps is responsible for maintaining commercial harbors and navigational channels, and constructing and operating civil works projects. The Corps also conducts applied research and regulates coastal zone activities of other parties. The Corps gets involved in coastal hazard planning and management through specific Congressional authority, which usually involves a large study area and contemplates major expenditures for erosion control projects; or through one of several Continuing Authorities programs. A substantial number of studies and large shore erosion control projects have been accomplished, or are currently underway in the State of Maryland. Link to Chesapeake Bay Shore Erosion Study. |
| STATE PARTNERS |
||
Agency |
Program |
Activities |
| Maryland ’s Coastal Program is a federal, state, and local partnership aimed at creating a balance between economic development and resource protection in the coastal zone. Coastal hazard planning has been a central focus of the Program since 1998 when the Program took on a leadership role to advance coastal hazard planning, policy and research initiatives at both the State and local level. The Program is currently directing substantial efforts towards analyzing and addressing the impact of coastal hazards along the State’s coastline. Program activities have centered on the development coastal planning and policy initiatives, technology, data and research support, and public outreach and engagement. |
||
The Critical Area Program is one of the State’s primary management tools for addressing impacts associated with coastal hazards. Hazards are addressed through the following measures: establishing a 100-foot natural buffer adjacent to tidal waters and tidal wetlands; guiding development and controlling growth in valuable coastal resource areas; regulating the installation of shoreline erosion protection structures; and protecting wetlands through sedimentation and erosion control guidelines. |
||
| Engineering & Construction |
Engineering and Construction is responsible for the management, maintenance, and upgrading of State-owned and Department-managed public lands, facilities and parks. Staff also provides technical assistance for engineering and construction projects for these areas, including the installation of shore erosion control measures. Beach protection, restoration and nourishment efforts on Fenwick Island, home of Ocean City, are cooperatively managed between the DNR’s Engineering and Construction Program, Ocean City, Worcester County, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|
The mission of the Coastal and Estuarine Geology Program is to investigate and determine the geologic framework of the State's coastal environments by mapping and evaluating the natural resources and by providing earth science information for wise resource management of these coastal systems. MGS is the lead agency investigating and mapping the extent of shore erosion in Maryland. |
||
MDE’s Flood Hazard Mitigation Program implements the National Flood Insurance Program and the Comprehensive Flood Mitigation Grant Program. Flood Insurance Rate Maps developed by FEMA designate areas of special flood risk and hazards. To account for uncertainty and degree of error present in the current maps, MDE recommends that all communities adopt standards for all structures in the tidal floodplain to be elevated one-foot above the 100-year floodplain elevation. |
||
| MDE is responsible for administering the Wetlands and Riparian Rights Act. Under the Act, tidal wetlands are managed to provide reasonable use while furnishing essential resource protection. Permits for shore protection activities are reviewed and processed by MDE. |
||
MEMA is the State agency charged with protecting the lives and property of Maryland citizens. They accomplish this through an integrated and coordinated effort to mitigate, prepare, respond, and recover from emergencies and disasters. MEMA also oversees and/or administers several of Maryland’s mitigation programs, including the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. MEMA recently completed t he State of Maryland Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan (2004) which was developed to provide a comprehensive hazard analysis, risk assessment, mitigation strategies and implementation schedule designed to reduce the State’s disaster vulnerability. An analysis of flood hazards, coastal storm surge and shore erosion was included in the Plan. |
||
The mission of the MDP is to promote growth that fosters vibrant, livable communities, preserves and protects the environment, and makes efficient use of State resources. MDP's data, analysis, and knowledge related to current land use and potential growth issues provide an important resource for addressing coastal hazard issues. DNR is working with MDP to incorporate sea level rise and coastal hazard planning elements in the Crisfield Priority Place site design. MDP also is serving as the State agency coordinating the State’s response to Hurricane Isabel. |
||
| Resource-based planning agencies, such as MDA, are involved in coastal hazard planning and response . MDA’s administration of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and the Maryland Agricultural Cost Share Program , both of which offer incentives to establish or extend watershed buffers and wetlands to protect water quality, provide the State with a means to mitigate impacts associated with erosion and flooding, by limiting development in the coastal areas most vulnerable zone. Best Management Practices (BMP’s) administered by MDA along with the Natural Resources Conservation Service also address coastal hazards by requiring the incorporation of design criteria for a 25-year storm event. |
||
| LOCAL PARNTERS |
||
| Local Governments |
Emergency Management |
City/County emergency management departments coordinate and facilitate coastal hazard response and recovery efforts among federal, state and local partners and are often the “first responders” in the event of a emergency or disaster. |
| The “comprehensive” or long-range planning departments of many local governments work collaboratively with federal, state and other local partners to address coastal hazard planning issues in local land use planning processes. |
||
| Permit and inspection departments within counties and cities in Maryland establish building and development standards, such as local floodplain ordinances, that are a key element of coastal hazard planning. |
||
Planning And Policy Initiatives
Shore Erosion Task Force
The Shore Erosion Task Force was created under Resolution 13, which was passed during the 1999 Legislative Session. Its purpose was to address problems of shore erosion in Maryland by recommending a broad spectrum of solutions and a comprehensive plan of action. Task Force members included members of the Maryland Legislature, representatives of the State Departments of Natural Resources, Agriculture, and the Environment, leaders of special interest groups, and other concerned and knowledgeable individuals in the field of erosion control. The findings and recommendations of the Task Force are presented its Final Report (2000) that outlines nine primary shore erosion issues and specific recommendations to address those issues.
Link to Final Report (184 kb file):
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/download/shoreerosion.pdf
A Sea Level Rise Response Strategy
The Coastal Program hosted a NOAA Coastal Management Fellow (1998-2000) to develop a “Sea Level Rise Response Strategy for the State of Maryland.” The Strategy set forth both short and long-term objectives, along with key activities, to address the three primary impacts of sea level rise (erosion, flooding and inundation), and the resulting environmental and socioeconomic implications of each. Implementation of a number of key activities is underway, including: the acquisition of high-resolution topographic data (LIDAR), the completion of historic shoreline position maps, the state-wide calculation of historic erosion rates, and the development of pilot studies in three low-lying coastal areas to assess the potential economic impact of sea level rise induced flooding and inundation.
Link to Sea Level Rise Response Strategy (12.77 kb file): http://dnrweb.dnr.state.md.us/download/bays/sea_level_strategy.pdf
Coastal Bays Hazards Initiative
In February 2004, the Coastal Bays Policy Committee comprised of the Secretaries of the Departments of Natural Resources, Planning, Environment, and Agriculture; Mayor of Ocean City; Worcester County Commissioners; Superintendent of Assateague National Seashore; EPA Region III Administrating and 3 citizens directed the formation of a work group to develop recommendations within six months on the most effective, efficient and economical means to integrate new hazard planning technologies into existing planning processes. Initial Work Group Findings and Recommendations, published in August 2004, established the groundwork for extending the application of the tools and products throughout the State.
For a copy of the Final Report contact the Maryland Coastal Program at 410-260-8730 or
410-260-8732.
Coastal Zone Management Act, Section 309 Strategy
Maryland’s Coastal Program outlined specific strategies for advancing coastal hazard planning and management in its 2000 – 2005, Section 309 Strategy. The Strategy set forth a workplan, fiscal and technical requirements, and recommends implementation activities for three components: (1) Comprehensive shore erosion control planning; (2) Implementation of the Sea Level Rise Response Strategy (2000), and Development of local hazard mitigation plans.
For a copy of the Assessment or Strategy go to: www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/czm/assessment.html
Strategic Shore Erosion Assessment (SSEA)
Maryland ’s Coastal Program is developing a means to analyze erosion based on site specific information related to the magnitude of erosion, environmental sensitivity, and impacts to public and private infrastructure. SSEA will provide federal, state and local governments the means to prioritize and target public assistance for shore erosion control, identify the presence of environmental features to incorporate into project design, and determine the stabilization/restoration potential of areas with high ecological value.
For information on when this application will be completed, contact the Maryland Coastal Program at 410-260-8730 or 410-260-8732.
Maryland Coastal Bays Program - Navigation and Dredging Advisory Group
Dredge material is sprayed to build up open water areas to allow for the restoration of degraded tidal marsh. Photo courtesy of Cornelia Pasche Wikar
Due to the relatively shallow nature of Maryland’s Coastal Bays, the maintenance of navigable waterways to support recreational and commercial boating is a critical regional need. Improved planning and coordination between federal, state, local and private interests is needed to enhance the economic and recreational benefits of navigation improvements and dredging while minimizing their adverse effects on natural resources. The Mission of the Navigation and Dredging Advisory Group is to develop a Master Plan to guide the management of navigation and dredging in the Coastal Bays that could assist in enhancing or protecting natural resources either at risk from dredging activities or that could benefit from the use of dredge disposal materials.
The master plan to guide the management of navigation and related activities in the Coastal Bays is currently in review. For more information on this effort, contact the Maryland Coastal Program at (410) 260-8730 or 8732.
State Hazard Mitigation Plan
In November 2004, MEMA completed the Maryland State Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP) and associated mapping pursuant to regulations established by the Disaster Mitigation Act (DMA) of 2000. The goal of the SHMP is to reduce the loss of life and property damage associated with hazard events in Maryland. MEMA complied with this priority as considerable effort has been put forth to map state-owned and critical facilities, as well as the hazard areas for eleven other hazards. The most important aspect of this mapping effort was the identification of facilities, total populations at risk, and vulnerable populations at risk within hazard areas. The data sets and mapping effort will continue to evolve and improve as new data and technologies become available.
For more information on the State Hazard Mitigation Plan, contact MEMA at 1-877-MEMA-USA.
Local Hazard Mitigation Planning
Local governments are also required to develop multi-hazard mitigation plans and generate map products on vulnerable populations. Plans must be revised on a 5-year schedule; however, annual reviews, particularly map updates are encouraged. Fourteen of Maryland’s coastal counties have adopted local hazard mitigation plans by 2005.
Through a competitive grant process, two Maryland counties received support in FY2003 to further develop and expand the coastal aspects of their local hazard mitigation plans. Baltimore and Prince George’s Counties concentrated on coastal flooding in their respective counties to improved future hazard management and mitigation responses. The plans dovetail ongoing efforts by state and federal emergency management agencies to create all hazard mitigation plans for all state and local entities throughout the country.
Contact the County Emergency Management Department for more information on local hazard mitigation plans.
Chesapeake Bay Shoreline Erosion: Maryland Coastal Management Feasibility Study
The Maryland Coastal Management Feasibility Study is a partnership between the Corps of Engineers and Maryland Department of Natural Resources, along with participation from Maryland Department of the Environment and other interested federal, state, local and private parties to comprehensively examine erosion hotspots and areas of concern throughout the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay. The study will identify and develop solutions to erosion and habitat protection/enhancement concerns. The goals of the study are to 1) further the goals of the Chesapeake Bay Agreement by helping to improve water quality, 2) help achieve goals for protection and restoration of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV), oysters, and wetlands, 3) assist in implementing a number of recommendations outlined in the Maryland Shore Erosion Task Force Final Report (2000), 4) foster regional sediment management approaches along the shoreline, and 5) leverage resources from federal, state and local agencies and groups. Final products for this study will be completed mid-2008. These will include partial designs for 14 projects, a list of "hotspot" areas for future investigation, and design and outreach manuals geared toward landowners and contractors. For more information, contact the Corps of Engineers Planning Division at 410-962-3413.
