Anne Arundel
Waterway Restoration Alliance

Meeting Notes 2004-10-05

The AAWRA meeting, held at Edgewater Police Station on 100504, was well attended by community representatives both new and familiar with the Alliance. The scheduled guest speaker, Ron Dillon, could not attend due to family emergency. However, Maryland State District 31, Anne Arundel County, Delegate John Leopold, who serves on the state Appropriations Committee and the Environmental and Transportation Sub-committee (where much of the capital improvement budget work is done) reported the following:
  • Governor Erlich has objected to a budget replenishing bill proposal by Del. Leopold, so legislative leaders were not able to support it, either. When there is a budget surplus, some $50 million must be used to replenish the transportation trust fund. (All past governors have transferred money out of this fund. The Leopold bill requires that there also must be a true emergency for transfer, and that there be a plan to repay the money (over $500 million was transferred by current Governor Erlich.).

  • The waterway Improvement Fund also raided over the years ($27million by current Governor Erlich.

  • Program Open Space was also raided ($800 million) out of $2 Billion in the last 20 years.

  • Delegate Leopold may introduce a bill to replenish the waterway Improvement Fund and another delegate plans to do the same for Program Open Space. They may negotiate and do Program Open Space first.

  • Also discussed were the state's four ways to fund dredging (covered in previous minutes)

  • The government has created a sedimentation problem requiring dredging. It is also a developers problem - Del. Leopold is looking into a way for government or developers to share in the cost of dredging that they create. Del John Leopold, (410)255-4477/(410)841-3206 when in session)

  • The general assembly can only cut budget items; not add them, unless it finds a funding source.

  • Money from excise tax on boat sales and tiny fraction of the gas sales tax provides about 25-30 million per year.

  • Del Leopold wrote the Governor and other state officials in support of not raiding the fund.

  • House and senate members elected for four years in Maryland. Up for reelection in 2006.

    • Dale Dirks Position Paper - Dale described the issue of accountability to hold the governor and legislators responsible for using waterway funds as intended.

    There are 19 dredging projects currently on Country's "wish list", but our group is identifying more - at least 2 new areas identified:

  • Loch Haven on the South River, north of Mayo, 333 homes, includes Pocahontas Creek on list (#12) interested in AAWRA, will cover at general meeting next week.

  • Pine Grove Village, 138 homes, Rock Creek above Lake Ogleton, have their support will contact adjacent community there, too

    • AAWRA may not be able to get endorsement from Severn River Association because of environmental concerns about SAVs even though can't dredge areas with SAVs.

    Bob W. willing to speak at meetings of any group like the South River Assoc, etc.

    General Discussion:

    What about stopping sediment from the land? Bob W. said part of dredging permit includes remediation projects.

    Education aspect of AAWRA to find ways to work w/ county within the communities. So all know the rules and process. Offical Dredging Program Manual obtained from county.

    Paul and Gloria volunteered to lead our education committee

    Factoid: In 2003 AA Co had 12966 boats, while Baltimore county had 5687 boats.

    501c3 and 501c4 non profits - political activity - Influence an election (not allowed to say who you support; can express support for legislation. With C4 you can do both.

    Issue raised whether position paper should specify using waterway improvement fund for its intended purpose - not raiding it

    May not want to single out specific funding sources.

    Voted to approve the position statement.

    Each community needs to get their members to support AAWRA.

    Charlie Burke now a member of Shore Acres (Mark Johnson, President), briefed the Shore Acres board of directors on the process and need to dredge Deep Creek. Other residents there and in Cape St Claire (Craig Madden, President) want dredging of Deep Creek.

    There was a discussion of Salt Works, 72 homes on Epping Forest Road.

    Galesville - Lerch Creek several years ago about 25 people wanted to fund dredging. The West River Improvement Group is there. West River splits at Shady Oaks Marina. Gales Creek to the left has not established a tax district (10 residents all are now in favor of dredging).

    Charlie Burke, Secretary