INTRODUCTION The Severn River Commission (SRC) was established in 1985 by Resolutions of the County Council of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and the Annapolis Council, and extended indefinitely in 1989. The Severn River Watershed, by definition the specific waterway of the Severn and the land which drains into it, has been specified for the purposes of the Commission to include the area from the headwaters to a line from Sandy Point to Tolly Point. The Severn River Commission, designated to provide counsel and advice to Anne Arundel County, the City of Annapolis, and the State of Maryland on environmental and other matters within the Severn River Watershed, focuses on study of and recommendations on policies, rules and regulations to protect the Severn River and its watershed, including comments on relevant existing State, County and City procedures. Biennial reports, submitted to the Anne Arundel County Council and the Annapolis City Council, outline the activities and accomplishments of the Commission. COMMISSION ACTIVITIES In its role as advisory body to State, County and city activities, the Severn River Commission has been involved in legislative, policy and regulatory procedures concerning critical and decisive issues affecting the well-being of the Severn River, its watershed and residents. The Commission addresses questions relevant to private or administrative considerations and strives to strike a balance between governmental necessities and civic concerns, a task ever more important in this increasingly popular and populated area. As outlined in the Commission's by-laws, the considerations in environmental matters shall include but not be limited to natural resources, water and air quality, groundwater, noise, energy sources, wildlife, and other natural aspects of the environment, and the relationship of health to ambient environmental quality. PRIORITIES/AGENDA 1997 - 1998 SUMMARY Arden Bog Proposed work to expand Arden ball fields uncovered the fact that a bog below the existing field was being damaged by runoff, and that further expansion of the fields might further damage the bog. The Commission endorsed a plan that would safely infiltrate the current ball field runoff and minimize damage from future use. Jabez Branch As a result of tenacious joint efforts by Commission members, the County and Program Open Space, 20 acres of Holladay Park were approved by the Maryland Board of Public Works for purchase of development rights. This increases the acreage of sensitive Jabez land that has been permanently protected from development to approximately 50 acres. SHA Excess Property The Commission is continuing to explore possible approaches for protecting approximately 100 additional acres within the Jabez from future sale by the SHA. While SHA could not donate the land to the County, it is willing to establish a permanent conservation easement on the land through the Maryland Environmental Trust, as the Commission requested. The Commission will actively pursue this option. Naval Surface Warfare Center As a result of the decision to close the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), several citizen groups have been convened to oversee the processes of closure and transfer of the property to local government. Members of the Commission are included on the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB), which oversees the environmental cleanup of the site, and on the Land Review Authority (LRA), which guides the future use of the property. Watershed Management Plan As part of the County's General Development Plan matured, the Small Area Plan concept emerged. The Commission decided that these Small Area Plans might be the best place to incorporate watershed planning. Consequently, copies of “LIVING WITH THE RIVER” were reproduced and provided to the Small Area Planners. Program Open Space At the request of the SRC, the Maryland Program Open Space regional director explained the availability of funds for the Severn River Watershed. As a result, the Commission, in conjunction with the Severn River Association and the Severn River Land Trust, developed and submitted to DNR a list of priorities for preservation sites in the Severn River Watershed. Policy Issues During extended discussions of the Commission's roles and responsibilities, the Commission agreed that we were not providing early policy guidance to County planners, but were providing input only after relatively mature policy documents were available for public comment. Quarterly meetings were initiated with Ron Nelson of the Land Use office. As a result of these meetings, draft copies of proposed Zoning and Land Use Regulation Changes were provided to the Commission for comment. Route 3 Task Force As northern route discussions affected the Severn River watershed, the Commission entered discussions with SHA regarding the minimization of additional impervious creation in the Jabez watershed. Parole Growth Management Area The Commission recommended that the Parole Growth Management Area (PGMA) committee be reconvened, noting that the Odenton Growth Management Area Committee had not been disbanded and was providing ongoing guidance on decisions and policies affecting that area. The Commission believes that the PGMA Committee can be similarly valuable in guiding the PGMA development. Shoreline Hardening Responding to information provided by the Severn River Association regarding the extent of shoreline hardening (i.e., bulkheading and riprap), the Commission initiated discussions with County officials regarding the process for granting permits for shoreline hardening. Critical Area Violations The Commission has noted that Contractors who perform illegal work (e.g. grading, construction, vegetation removal, etc.) in the Critical Areas are not currently held accountable; rather the property owner is solely responsible. The Commission developed a list of actions that could correct this problem. These actions would include certifying contractors before allowing them to do work in the Critical Areas. Uncertified contractors working in the Critical Areas, or certified contractors performing illegal work in the Critical would be fined. Subdivision Changes The Commission reviewed proposed changes to the County Code Article 26 (Subdivisions) and Article 28 (Zoning) and submitted its comments to Planning and Code Enforcement (PACE). Appointed Members: Robert C. Smith, Chairman
William B. Moulden, Vice Chairman
Lina Vlavianos
Noelle Richmond
Jay Schwarz
John R. Flood
Jane Sinclair
Jim Martin
Nita Settina Ex Officio Members: No Active Ex Officio Members Staff: Brenda Weeks, PACE | 
