From Council Member Monique Anderson Walker:
Prince George’ County residents are experiencing unprecedented barriers in their daily lives. While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the consistent flooding issues seen across the county and in District 8 are nothing short of a matter of contention. District 8 constituents are feeling the negative effects of rapid real estate development in flood hazard areas. While growth is encouraged and welcomed, especially in District 8, the rampant surge of urban sprawl hurts us in the long run if these developments do not adhere to flood hazard protocols. I have been on site visits with my District 8 Team members and witnessed the devastation firsthand. I invite you to attend our September 23rd Transforming Communities "Community Planning Meeting". There will be presentations from engineers, for the Henson Valley Area Study, sharing their conclusions that upstream development can cause the brunt of groundwater and flooding. If you have not registered for the September 23rd meeting, there is a link below for you to register for this interactive meeting to discuss responsible development ideas and storm water management in District 8 to alleviate flooding. |
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA), is the agency within the United States Department of Homeland Security responsible for the categorization of flood hazard areas of land as “floodplains,” otherwise known as FEMA floodplains.
A FEMA Floodplain is considered an area that is prone to high flooding or experiencing a flood event that has a 1 in 100 chance (1% probability) of being exceeded in any given year also referred to as a 100-year flood. FEMA’s primary focus is to respond and mitigate environmental disasters. With the categorization of floodplains and proper disaster mitigating protocols, FEMA aims to reduce the casualties of unnecessary flooding.
CB-49-2020
When real estate developments in floodplains do not adhere to flood hazard protocols, families and homes are jeopardized. Council Bill CB-49-2020 will establish, by law, all dwellings located in a FEMA categorized floodplain must have a floodplain study done prior to any new development in the 100-year floodplain. This bill will ensure that proper research is completed so that development will not cause any harm to the existing floodplain, which assures no additional risk or potential flood hazards for residents of Prince George’s County.
CR-56-2020
The second piece of legislation is a Council Resolution, CB-56-2020 ,which calls upon the United States Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate land and topography assuring proper stormwater management practices. Like FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers skillset best suits them to provide insight to the proper reduction of flood related catastrophes plaguing Prince George’s County residents.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT RETROFIT PROGRAM & RAIN CHECK REBATE PROGRAM
Prince George’s County introduced a bill (CB-062-2020) on September 15, 2020, that issues nearly $500,000,000 in bonds in order to generate the appropriate funding for stormwater management projects. These funds will go to financing county, schools, community college, libraries, stormwater management capital projects listed in the fiscal year 2021 Capital Budget. These funds will be used for the Stormwater Management District Fund that disburses funds to the Stormwater Management Retrofit Program. CLICK HERE FOR THE BILL
Prince George’s County appropriates $3 million to the Stormwater Management Retrofit Program every year since the program’s establishment in 2014. The Chesapeake Bay Trust graciously partnered with Prince George’s County to invest and build a program that aids neighborhoods, while treating and controlling stormwater. Those eligible for the grant program are non-profit organizations, municipalities, watershed organizations, education institutions, community associations, faith-based organizations, and civic groups. Within the Retrofit Program, there is a Rain Check Rebate Program that funds several stormwater managements practices. The rebate program funds seven stormwater management practices such as: rain barrels, cisterns, rain gardens, urban tree canopy, pavement removal, permeable pavement and green roofs. While the rebate program has a lifetime limit per property, eligible individuals are allotted up to $4,000 per property. Non-profits are eligible up to $4,000 per property if the organization is willing to provide upfront cost of construction for eligible individuals otherwise unable to participate in the Rain Check Rebate Program. Commercial Properties are eligible up to $20,000 per property. In short, individuals may apply for the rebate program in order to offset the cost of any stormwater management practice done on their property, so long as they are eligible and are granted the approval. Applicants must submit applications in the Chesapeake Bay Trust Online System by 4:00 PM EST on November 19, 2020.
The Rain Rebate Program received 291 applications during the 2019 fiscal year. Department of the Environment approved 91 applications, denied 81 applications and currently have 269 applications in process. The amount rewarded for the Rain Rebate Program for applicants totaled $79,035 for the 2019 fiscal year. Unfortunately, District 8 comprised of 11 of the 291 applications with zero (0) approved applications and five (5) denied applications.
While the Stormwater Management Retrofit Program attempts to provide a solution to issues post flooding disasters, the proposed legislation hopes to provide a solution at the root of the problem. The legislation may not solve every flooding catastrophe that is currently plaguing our county, we must not make the perfect the enemy of the good.
PRINCE GEORGES'S COUNTY DAMAGE REPORT & STEPS TO FOLLOW
If you were affected by the flooding, please submit a damage report on the new OEM Assessment Tool.This is critical. Click OEM Assessment Tool
- Have you reported this to 311? If you have not reported this to 311, please do so immediately, so that your issues are documented. Get and Keep the Service Request Number that 311 will give you.
- Do you have any pictures? If so, please email your pictures before the incident and pictures after the incident and your Service Request Number to our District 8 Constituent Services Director, Carla Cash at cycash@co.pg.md.us Carla Cash will do her best to assist you with your issue.
- In addition to reporting your incident to 311, complete the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Assessment Tool report above. OEM Assessment Tool
- Staff from OEM and the Department of Permitting Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) are visiting impacted residents to make damage assessments. Based on the assessments, eligibility for assistance will be determined through FEMA and the Small Business Association (SBA). Many assistance programs require a minimum threshold of damage to be met, so it is imperative that everyone who suffered damage or losses fill out the OEM Assessment Tool. Please share the link with your neighbors.
Register to attend our virtual Transforming Communities Meeting "Community Planning Meeting", a Charrette's Meeting on Wednesday, September 23 - 6:30 - 8:30 pm. This meeting will be interactive and the "Survey" results will be shared, along with presentations. This is a meeting about development in District 8 and your input continues to be welcomed in this process. Click on this link to register for the meeting:
https://mypgc.zoom.us/webinar/
Looking forward to you joining us!