The Hazard Mitigation Planning Board held its regular meeting on August 21, 2024. The meeting, chaired by Amy Bledsoe, Emergency Manager of the Division of Emergency Services, was attended by key representatives from various departments and agencies, including Information Technology, Land Use and Growth Management, Leonardtown, Metcom, State Highway, Public Schools and Public Works.
Meeting participants:
- Amy Bledsoe: Emergency Manager, Emergency Services Department
- Eric Benson: Information technology
- Jessica Andres: Land use and growth management
- Tony Wheatley: City of Leonardtown
- Ed Hogan and George Erickson: Metcom
- Vince Wittels: Community Member
- Philip Burch: State road
- Charles Ebel: Public schools
- James Gotsch and Richard Tarr: Ministry of Public Works (DPW)
- Jennifer Utz: Head of the rescue service
Approval of the minutes:
The minutes of the May 15, 2024 meeting were presented for approval. Ed Hogan made a motion to approve, with Jessica Andres seconding. After a brief procedural correction to ensure all board members had voted, the minutes were unanimously approved.
Important updates and discussions:
1. Completion of the project due to Tropical Storm Isaias:
- Project completion: The last project related to the Tropical Storm Isaias disaster declaration (dated August 4, 2020) was officially completed on July 11, 2024. Two remaining projects are still awaiting final inspections by FEMA.
- Financial impact: Total reimbursement for the storm-related projects is $2.3 million. Project 16 was completed under budget, while Project 53 slightly exceeded its budget.
2. Nuisance Flood Plan Update:
- Grant and financing approval: Kim Connor, project manager at DPW&T, reported that county commissioners approved a request for a $20,000 grant from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Chesapeake and Coastal Service to support the update of the county’s Nuisance Flood Plan.
- Plan improvements: The update will build on the existing 2020 plan and include new data and scope expansions. Smith Planning and Design, who contributed to the cross-country hazard reduction plan, will provide a cost estimate for the update.
- Data usage: Current data collected through the 311 system identifying 453 flood-related incidents from May 2023 to June 2024 will be analyzed and integrated into a GIS layer available to the public. The updated plan will also include a fire district survey and a mitigation solutions workshop to gather stakeholder input.
3. Review of resilience table exercises:
- Exercise overview: The Board reviewed the results of a simulation exercise conducted on July 30, 2024. This exercise was part of a resilience-building project designed to assess the County’s ability to respond to emergencies in coordination with Naval Air Station Patuxent River.
- Participant engagement: The scenario, in which a summer storm spawned two tornadoes and caused major damage, involved 32 participants representing 17 state and local agencies. The entire exercise scenario has been posted on BoardDocs for further review.
4. Dress rehearsal for the large-scale exercise:
- Preparing for FEMA Assessment: A dress rehearsal was held on August 6, 2024, in preparation for a large-scale exercise planned for September 10, 2024, which will be evaluated by FEMA. Thirty-four participants attended the rehearsal, and feedback indicated that the county is well prepared for the upcoming assessment.
5. Updating the list of critical infrastructures:
- Collaboration with SMECO: George Erickson discussed with SMECO the ongoing effort to update the county’s critical infrastructure list. This update involves identifying and prioritizing important facilities, particularly those related to public water and wastewater services.
- Infrastructure planning: The update is part of a broader initiative to ensure that critical infrastructure is resilient and can withstand future challenges, including those posed by climate change.
6. Sea level rise and climate resilience:
- Impact assessment: George Erickson gave an overview of the potential impacts of sea level rise, pointing to projections that expect a rise of 4.3 feet by 2100 and a rise of one foot by 2050. This could significantly affect residential properties, roads and other infrastructure, especially in coastal areas.
- Resilience planning: Although recent legislation requiring a climate resilience plan has not passed, the county recognizes the need to prepare for these challenges. Erickson suggested integrating climate resilience into the hazard mitigation plan, if only as a list strategy to address these long-term risks.
7. Fixing problem areas in the sewer system:
- Identification of problem areas: Metcom highlighted problems in several municipalities where septic tanks are failing but no public sewer systems are planned because the areas are designated as “areas without planned service.” Significant sewer problems have been identified in over 20 municipalities, affecting more than 5,000 properties.
- Suggested solutions: The proposed solution involves the installation of collective sewage treatment plants. However, challenges such as securing financing, identifying suitable land and community opposition remain significant hurdles.
- Future planning: Metcom is advocating for these topics to be included in the upcoming Hazard Mitigation Plan update, which could open opportunities for FEMA funding.
8th day of sandbag distribution:
- Event announcement: The DPW&T, in conjunction with emergency services, will host a second sandbag distribution event at the Saint Andrews Landfill on August 24, 2024. The event will run from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and residents will be provided with sandbags and giveaways to help prepare. Participants are asked to bring their shovels to fill their sandbags on site.
9. Infrastructure updates:
- Bridge replacement:
- Dell Brook Road Bridge: The Dell Brook Road Bridge replacement has been completed. This project was funded by county funds and completed over a period of several months.
- Hilton Run Bridge Project: A significant upcoming project is the replacement of the bridge over Hilton Run on Route 5 north of Willows Road. This includes a temporary traffic signal and a one-lane road configuration for approximately one year, beginning in late August or early September 2024. Public education and school coordination efforts are currently underway to mitigate traffic impacts.
Working hours of the board members:
- Eric Benson: Provide updates on the Military Facilities Resilience Study, which is nearing completion. The study will assess the vulnerability of local infrastructure to hazards and propose possible relocation or mitigation strategies.
- James Gotsch: Brief discussion of ongoing and completed DPW projects, including the emergency procurement for the Johnson Pond Dam breach recently approved by the County Commissioners.
- Philip Burch: Informed the Board of upcoming traffic changes related to the Hilton Run Bridge Project and emphasized the need for coordination with schools and emergency services to manage the impacts of the single lane road.
Interruption:
The meeting was adjourned on a motion by Tony Wheatley, seconded by Ed Hogan. The next meeting date will be announced in due course.
This detailed summary provides a comprehensive report of the discussions and decisions made during the meeting and highlights ongoing efforts to address critical infrastructure challenges, improve resilience, and ensure community safety and well-being in the face of future threats.
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