INTRODUCTION The Severn River Commission (SRC) was established in 1985 by Resolutions of the County Council of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and the Annapolis City 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 bylaws, 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. Shoreline Hardening The Commission expressed concern with the rate with which shoreline was being hardened, either with bulkheads or rip-rap. These changes destroy habitat, specifically horseshoe crab egg-laying areas. Jim Johnson, a County environmental planner, briefed the Commission and pointed out that a site with an erosion rate of 2 feet per year or more is considered a problem site. While the County does encourage less intrusive methods of shoreline protection, the Commission's view is that more bulkhead and rip-rap installations are being done than is required for shoreline protection SRC Retreat On March 11, 2000, the Commission held a retreat to set SRC goals for the next year and consider goals for the next five years. The need for the retreat was prompted by the replacement of several long-term members of the Commission and a feeling among the new and remaining members that the Commission needed to more clearly define its focus. The retreat was designed to help the Commission determine it's most important tasks to maintain and improve the River, and to determine the most effective ways of accomplishing these tasks. As a result of the retreat, the Commission adopted the Severn River Watershed Management Plan as its most important priority in the coming year. A second priority was identified as Legislative and Code issues affecting the Severn River. The Commission also adopted criteria for reviewing and undertaking new projects. These criteria are: - Impact on the Severn River and its watershed
- Effectiveness of the Commission concerning the specific project
- Identification of specific actions that could be taken by the Commission.
Route 3 Task Force As expansion of the Northern section of Route 3 will impact the environmentally sensitive and significant Jabez Branch of the Severn River watershed, the Commission is continuing discussions with SHA regarding the minimization of additional impervious creation in the Jabez watershed. Impact Fees The Commission was represented on the County committee that reviewed consultant recommendations for increasing impact fees. The Commission provided recommendations on fee schedules. Although the Commission recommended that Stormwater Management impact fees be included, these were not included in the Consultant's recommendations. They may be considered by the County at a later date. SRC Website As a new avenue for public outreach, the Commission has begun to develop a web site that will describe the Severn River, its natural resources and history, its environmental problems, and the role of the Commission. Public input to the Commission's work should be enhanced by this site, which will be hosted by Anne Arundel County. Severn River Watershed Management Plan With the establishment of the Severn River Watershed Management Plan as the Commission's top priority, much of the Commission's efforts in the second half of 2000 were devoted to supporting this project. As a result of Federal mandate, the County is developing stormwater management plans for all of its watersheds. Commission involvement in the Severn River Watershed Management Plan began with review and comments on the County's proposed Scope of Work. Commission members reviewed in detail the proposals from the five bidders, and provided comments to the selection committee. The Commission was represented at interviews with the bidders, and has been briefed by the winning bidder. Because it is anticipated that the County's ambitious scope of work will cost more than available funds, the Commission is providing recommended priorities as the scope of work is reduced. The goal for the Watershed Management Plan is that it be a user friendly (it will be Geographic Information System [GIS]) tool that can be expanded as additional funding and data become available. Jabez Branch/Odenton Small Area Plan Recommendations Since 1987 the SRC has been interested in the preservation of the brook trout population in the Jabez Branch. At the recommendation of the Commission, the Jabez Branch was recognized for its uniqueness as a Class III stream located in the Coastal Plains of Maryland in the 1997 General Development Plan. Furthermore, it was recommended and the concept was incorporated into the GDP that a watershed master plan should be developed for the Jabez watershed. Recently the SRC has acted as a resource for information on the Jabez Branch watershed for the Odenton Small Area Plan Committee. The adoption of the concept by the OSAPC of an Environmental Overlay Zone for the Jabez Branch watershed is in direct result of the exchange of information between the two groups. Appointed Members: Lina Vlavianos, Chairman
Robert W. Biddle, Vice Chairman
Pierre Henkart
Sally G. Horner (replaced John R. Flood 2/1/00)
Steve Linhard (replaced Jay Schwarz 7/10/00)
Jim Martin
Noelle Richmond
Jane Sinclair
Robert C. Smith Ex Officio Members: Cathleen Vitale, Anne Arundel County Council
Joseph Sachs, Alderman, Annapolis City Council
Virginia P. Clagett, House of Delegates, State of Maryland Anne Arundel County Liaison and Staff: Betty Dixon, AACo. Land Use and Environment Office
Brenda Weeks, Office of Planning and Zoning | 
