ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley has signed a landmark initiative to increase the State’s long term resiliency to storm related flooding and sea level rise. He signed the Climate Change and Coast Smart Construction Executive Order, directing that all new and reconstructed state structures, as well as other infrastructure improvements, be planned and constructed to avoid or minimize future flood damage.
“As storms such as Hurricane Sandy have shown, it is vital that we commit our resources and expertise to create a ready and resilient Maryland, by taking the necessary steps to adapt to the rising sea and unpredictable weather,” said Governor O’Malley. “In studying and planning for storms and climate change, we can ensure that our land, infrastructure, and most importantly our citizens are safe and prepared.”
The Executive Order enacts a number of policy directives, including directing all State agencies to consider the risk of coastal flooding and sea level rise when they design capital budget projects and charging the Department of General Services with updating its architecture and engineering guidelines to require new and rebuilt State structures to be elevated two or more feet above the 100-year base flood level.
“Over the past three decades, Maryland’s climate has become hotter and water levels within the Chesapeake Bay have continued to rise,” said Zoe Johnson, DNR’s Program Manager for Climate Change Policy. “The region’s recent extreme storms and weather have demonstrated just how vulnerable our natural resources and infrastructure can be to such events. The Executive Order will be instrumental in reshaping how we build along Maryland’s coasts.”
The Executive Order also charges the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to work with the Maryland Commission on Climate Change, local governments and other parties as appropriate, to develop additional Coast Smart guidelines within nine months, for the siting and construction of new and rebuilt State structures, as well as other infrastructure improvements such as roads, bridges, sewer and water systems, and other essential public utilities. Recommendations for applying the new construction guidelines to non-state infrastructure projects that are partially or fully funded in the State’s capital budget will also be developed.
Additionally, the Executive Order tasks the Scientific and Technical Working Group of the Maryland Commission on Climate Change with providing updated sea level rise projections for Maryland. In 2008, the Scientific and Technical Working Group published sea level rise projections for Maryland, with a high end range of 3.4 feet by the year 2100. However, considerable new research on sea level rise has since been published requiring the updating of these projections, according to Dr. Donald Boesch, President of University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, and chair of the Working Group.
For example, a study by the U.S. Geological Survey published this summer in the journal Nature Climate Change demonstrated that the 1,000 kilometer stretch of coast running from Cape Hatteras to north of Boston is a “hot spot” of sea level rise. The study found that since 1990, sea levels along this stretch, which includes Maryland, are rising at an annual rate three to four times faster than the global average. Dr. Boesch pointed out “the State should be using the most up-to-date sea level rise projections in order to ensure that state infrastructure is sited and designed in a manner that will avoid or minimize future loss or damages.” Revised sea level rise projections are to be issued by end of June 2013.
To assist local governments, DNR’s CoastSmart Communities Program will continue to provide on-the-ground sea level rise planning expertise, training, and technical mapping tools. Launched by Governor O’Malley in April 2009, Maryland’s CoastSmart Communities program has awarded more than a half-million dollars to coastal communities to help prepare for the anticipated impacts of climate change. In partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the State provides grants ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 to coastal communities to support the planning and preparation. For more information on the CoastSmart Program or to submit a funding request, visitdnr.maryland.gov/CoastSmart
6 comments:
Damn, wish I could write an executive order to get whatever I wanted.
Is he taking a lesson from obammy?
And where is the money coming from?
If you want to build a home in flood prone areas that is your business, but the taxpayers shouldn't have to pay to replace it.
All of the money comes from us, the unwashed masses. We should be grateful that Governor Owe'Malley is allowing us to hand over more of our hard earned money to fund more government waste. The funny thing is, real committed liberals believe this crap.
If the left was sincerely concerened about global warming they would stop driving, cooking, heating their homes and their water to compensate for us neanderthals.
The sea level is rising? Like THAT has never happened? Tell THAT to archeologists who have found ancient cities 700 FEET under the sea (most recently, off the coast of India, where they found a city estimated to have had a population of around 35,000), seven MILES from the current coastline. And we freak out over THREE feet??? Its about scaring people and controlling them with new laws and regulations (with the always attached fines, fees, surcharges, taxes, and oh yeah -- punishments). Its about the money, the power, and the control. They know damn well that Nature cycles like this and has since time began. This FACT is beyond dispute. The ice is melting? OH NO! The FACT that its happened a dozen times before should not be discussed or considered. That would negate the fear and alarm. Can't have that.
This is a pretty good deal. If you live in a coastal community, ask for a $10,000 grant to cover the cost of beer and crabs at each meeting you have to plan for all these Chicken Little hazards.
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