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Anne Arundel
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Anne Arundel
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The meeting began with a presentation from John Peacock and George Eberle, Anne Arundel County, Department of Inspections and Permits. An overview of the Inspection and Permit functions was provided to the group including a handout of the organizational chart for Land Use and Environmental Core Group consisting of the Department of Inspections and Permits, Office of Planning and Zoning and the Department of Public Works. A major focus of the Department of Inspections and Permits is responding to the environmental hotline which is for citizens to report land and environmental abuses within communities the Department responds to those complaints and reports by sending an inspector to assess any potential violations and review permit status. This has been an important aspect to the Department and they have increased fines to $500-$1,000 per violation. Many violations have been a result of the unauthorized clearing of land which causes increases in sedimentation. Discussion about the types of sedimentation creation results in 1) sedimentation laden run-off --- temporary condition during building, 2) Storm Water Management.should be a permanent situation. These are governed by the 1993 revision of the Soil Conservation District guidelines/standards. Storm Water Management reinvents itself every 10 years primarily due to new techniques and technology. Sedimentation control is primarily accomplished through 1) sedimentation/erosion control through a filtration device (black fence) for all new construction sites, 2) sedimentation trap/hole which allows particles to settle out. These methods are based on a standard to control run-off of 1 inch of water in a 2 hour period. Other factors that impact the methods are rainfall, slope of land and soil type. Three types of soil components --- sand, silt and clay and each have their own unique qualities in the collection with controls established. Sand being the best to clay components being the most difficult. New technologies in storm water management are available and examples include PAM (polyacrilimide) added to soil surfaces, filter sock that are filled with mulch or other filtering materials. Builders should get site green as soon as possible to avoid erosions. Sediment control.outside perimeter of building site contained by traps, or basins. Erosion control.silt fence to contain site and movement of soil. Storm water management.control of water using 10 year storm guidelines --- theory there is a severe storm each decade. Finding that storms are more severe than every 10 years and looking at models using a 2 year storm program. Discussion concerning organization efforts in moving forward with the application for the 501(c)(3) is pending and AAWRA is in need of funds to process the application due to IRS fees. Suggestions were made about increasing dues to members, collections of outstanding dues on current member communities and requesting additional funds from existing active members. It was also noted that funds are also needed to print a leave behind flyer/brochure that is currently in development, the possibility of making nominal political contributions in this election year and public relations efforts. Outreach to other potential community and other organizations to join AAWRA was discussed and noted that this is an on-going concern and need. Next meeting will be held on the first Tuesday of October. Those in attendance were: Bob Whitcomb/Saefern Paul and Gloria Rickett/Broadwater Farms Geoffrey Thomas/Weems Creek Ken Hawes, Parrish Creek Joan Liddy, Cape Anne Jay Phillips, DCET Dick Lahn, Crofton Tom Baugher, Quay Harbor Joan Bell, Saefern Steve Goins, Cape Anne Charlie Burke Past Pres./Harbor View Vern Penner/Amberley |