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Anne Arundel
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Anne Arundel
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The meeting was called and held at Tawes DNR, Taylor Ave, Annapolis, MD on May 12, 2004 at 7 P.M. County and state government speakers were on hand to review many details associated with the county and state budgets and county dredging. Meril Plait from DPW was the primary speaker and Bob Gaudette of DNR spoke on budget events in 2004 and certain pending events for 2005. There was optimism expressed by several that both Governor Erlich and County Executive Owens were very supportive of the efforts to dredge our creeks. Budget shortfalls for 2004 are being made up with FY2005 funds. Over the next several years, several creek dredging efforts are likely to be funded by these governments. Alternative grant and combined funds processes were described. The government's staffs and their contractors are extremely familiar with dredging management issues and O&M activities. Much of "what we do" was reviewed, and most attendees were very interested with many questions that were well received and answered, and went on for more than 2 hours. Topics ranged from how we are removing money for the dredging and other projects, failures with forward funding, overspending (-$1M in the red). Additional DNR grants have diminished. There is a three step effort to:
The 2005 county budget is available for review on the internet at www.aacounty.org/budget. "Q" class funds are overspent. Q class is waterways program (online county budget has names of projects) Merill Plait explained the six ways to fund a project:
D class storm drain projects, normally about $3M goes to such items as pond maintenance ($500K) and Retrofits (about $1M). There are projects in backlog, about $17M, a 34 year program. Headwater retrofits must be done before dredging and can consume project funds before dredging begins. Priorities are set by public benefit. More beneficiaries better chance of state funding includes resident boats AND transient boats. AA county gets 40% of DNR money. Permits are for six years; average is 3 years from start. DPW will be initiating permit extensions. 1999 & 2004 were only two years DNR special budget was taken from by the state. Plait and Gaudette suggested talking to the following individuals:
Other comments: I&P is complaint driven; Bob Miller's land use officer; David Wallace and Anne Pearson were present and expressed their opinion that the group should elevate, from a secondary goal, the emphasis on the reduction of silt entering the creeks. After some discussion the group decided to keep the emphasis specifically on dredging since no other group filled that niche. David Wallace also gave a quick power point presentation on the serious shortcoming of the County stormwater system and the sedimentation (and dredging) problems that result. He also suggested that the County should look into the creation of a Stormwater Utility in order to help fund the 17 million dollar backlog of stormwater system repair projects and the "cleaning up" of the vast number of functioning, but inadequate systems now in place. Two persons were voted to be President and Secretary, Bob Whitcomb and Charlie Burke, respectively. Purpose and bylaws were briefly reviewed. Bill Edmonston has volunteered to review and repair the draft bylaws. Bob has some notes on purpose. With respect to dredging funding and storm water runoff, possibly as short and long term efforts. The group agreed to be named the Anne Arundel Waterway Restoration Alliance (AAWRA). Primary purpose is funding creek dredging in AACo. Frank Pittelli has begun our website (www.aawra.org) and has set up an email address for comments (president@aawra.org). Please add your comments to this draft of the minutes from this, our second meeting. The first meeting allowed us to introduce one another and the status of our respective efforts to dredge our creeks.
Charlie Burke, Secretary
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