Regular Monthly Meeting - March 1, 2007

Members Present:

Lina Vlavianos, Chair
Sally Hornor, Vice Chair
Dave Hanson
Scott Hymes
Charlotte Lubbert
Joe Rubino
Jeff Schomig
Michael Shultz

Guests and Staff:

Ron Bowen, AACo. DPW
Jim George, MDE
Albert Johnston, Greater Severna Park Council
Janice Markusic, AACo. DPW
Brenda Reiber, AACo. County Executive’s Office
Pete Robinson
Mary Searing, AACo. DPW
Joshua Stewart, The Capital
Chris Victoria, AACo. DPW
John Page Williams, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Brenda Weeks, AACo. DPW

Absent:

Carrie Capuco
Virginia P. Clagett, MD House Delegates (Ex-officio)
Ron Dillon, County Council (Ex-officio)                                               

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Vlavianos called the regular monthly meeting of the Severn River Commission to order at 4:06 p.m. with a quorum present. Joe Rubino, the newest member of the Commission, was welcomed. 

Mr. Rubino is a native of Annapolis; he grew up on the Severn River. He was commissioned in the U. S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps after graduation from Villanova University with a degree in Civil Engineering; received a Master of Science degree from MIT, and a Jurist Doctor from Temple University School of Law. Mr. Rubino retired from the Navy following twenty years of service and is currently the Special Assistant for External Affairs to the Superintendent at the U. S. Naval Academy.  He and his family reside in the area.

The guest speakers, Mr. Jim George from Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and Mr. Ron Bowen from AACo. Department of Public Works, were introduced. 

They had been invited to talk about TMDLs and NPDES Permit. Mr. George addressed Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) from the State’s perspective, while Mr. Bowen addressed TMDLs and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems Storm Water Management (NPDES-MS4) Permit from the County’s perspective.

Mr. George started his presentation by distributing copies of part of a document (table of contents and executive summary), “Maryland’s 2006 TMDL Implementation Guidance for Local Governments.”  He stated that the whole foundation of the document is the water quality standards of the Federal Clean Water Act. The general language is to protect and restore the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the Nations waters.  Water quality standards address the physical and biological integrity of streams. The State sets the standards according to minimum requirements from the federal government and EPA approves the standards.

Mr. George discussed water quality standards, designated uses, monitoring, assessment and TMDL development. Two basic aspects of TMDL implementation are addressed in the Guidance document: reducing excess pollutant loads, and offsetting new loads. Tracking, assessment, and land use planning issues are discussed. Background and interim direction to help local governments position themselves with implementing TMDLs are provided. For specifics, the full Guidance document is available on MDE’s website: www.mde.state.md.us .

In his presentation, Mr. Bowen emphasized Anne Arundel County’s commitment to the TMDLs. He talked about the Storm Water NPDES Program requirements, guidance from tributary strategies, and commitments listed in the Chesapeake Bay Agreement and local governments in understanding how to manage water quality impairments. He reviewed the programs that must be carefully managed to ensure desired results. The county’s implementation of TMDL practices will require that careful consideration be given as to where and how to target new development based on its effect on pollution loads and water quality. He emphasized that watershed pollution solutions must begin at the source.  Technical and administrative procedures must be established for offsetting future increase in pollutants. The narrative/handout distributed by Mr. Bowen provides  other specifics about these requirements.  

During discussion numerous questions were addressed. The County has had a Stormwater NPDES permit since the early 1990s. The County was one of the first counties in Maryland to get a NPDES permit, now in third generation.

The Commission thanked Mr. George and Mr. Bowen for their informative presentations. Mr. Bowen was applauded for the work the County is doing in this area.

The Minutes for the February 1, 2007, regular monthly SRC meeting was presented for approval.  Hanson and Schomig suggested a correction in the “SRC Special Committee” item. The first sentence in paragraph 3 should read “. . . this focus and recommendations based on input from the Commission at the March meeting.”

MOTION: A MOTION, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE FEBRUARY 1, 2007, REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING OF THE SEVERN RIVER COMMISSION AS CORRECTED ABOVE, WAS MADE AND SECONDED.  THE MOTION WAS PASSED BY A UNANAMOUS VOTE AND THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED.

1. Capuco notified the Chair that she would not be able to attend this meeting.
2. Rubino’s appointment and Vlavianos’ reappointment to SRC were confirmed by County Council.
3. SRC is now officially positioned under Watershed & Ecosystem Services (WES) in AACo. DPW.  Ginger Ellis continues as WES Planning Administrator.  She or a designated staff member will be the County representative to the SRC.
4. The State Highway Administration will be at the April meeting to brief SRC on Route 175/Route 3/32 improvements and the impacts on Jabez Branch.
5. The Warfield Branch clean-up is scheduled for March 31, 2007.  More information will be forthcoming.
6. A letter was sent to Lois Villemaire, AACo. P&Z, summarizing Chair Vlavianos’ March 30 meeting with her.  Copies of this letter were distributed to Commission members.
7. A letter was sent to Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) recommending that the plans for Arundel Forest as proposed be rejected.
8. SRC received a letter from MDE noting that an evaluation of the Arundel Forest project is underway.
9. Councilman Jamie Benoit will be speaking at the Severn River Association’s meeting on March 20, 2007, 7:30 p.m. at Calvary Methodist Church.
10. The Arrow Cove case decision has been handed down.  The court decided with the developer.  Plans are being made to take it to appeal.

OLD BUSINESS

Election of Vice Chair

Sally Hornor was nominated for Vice Chair.  Following a brief discussion, Hornor was unanimously reelected Vice Chair.

MOTION: A MOTION, TO REELECT SALLY HORNOR AS SRC VICE CHAIR, WAS MADE AND SECONDED.  THE MOTION WAS PASSED BY UNANAMOUS VOTE.

The next Jabez Overlay Zone Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for March 19, 2007.  The Summary Report of Requirements of Brook Trout has been completed by Watershed & Ecosystem Services, DPW.  This document can be helpful to persuade the County Council and the Administration why an overlay zone is needed.

Hanson reported that the members of the Special Committee, based on SRC’s charge under its bylaws, recommends “to expand additional efforts and attention beyond the headwaters, so that the SRC’s focus regularly includes significant issues throughout the entire watershed.”  Following a lengthy discussion, it was decided that all SRC members are to review the suggestions from the Committee report which addresses issues on a watershed-wide basis and respond to the Committee with comments by March 15. Comments should be emailed to all Commission members.

The City of Annapolis is sponsoring a community forum on March 7, 2007, on a comprehensive plan.  Hanson plans to attend the meeting and report to SRC in April.

Hanson attended the Naval Academy’s Center for Chesapeake Bay Observation & Modeling Center’s seminar on characterizing the physical, biological and chemical environment of the Severn River and College Creek.  It is a long-term study. Hanson will continue to participate and report to SRC periodically.

Hanson will contact AACo. DPW for information on what is being planned for the Cowhide Branch restoration project prior to SRC making comments. There is not enough information available at this time.  He will report at the April meeting.

As noted at the beginning of the meeting, the speakers from the SHA regarding Route 3 improvements have been rescheduled for the April meeting.

Lubbert reported that the SRC website had 2,312 hits in February. The website has been overhauled, new links added, and the Spam removed. 

2005-2006 Biennial Report

The Biennial Report has been printed and distributed to appropriate parties.

NEW BUSINESS

Maritime Heritage Festival

Hanson is seeking participants to man a booth at the Maritime Heritage Festival May 4-6, 2007. It was suggested that SRC act as a vehicle/coordinator to bring in other environmental watershed groups as participants. It was pointed out that this is a good way to build public awareness about the River.  Commission members are to provide input to Hanson.

Hymes is planning to attend a meeting regarding this project off of Bestgate Road.

PUBLIC INPUT

There was no public input.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 7:07 p.m. The next regular monthly SRC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 5, 2007, 4:00 p.m., in the Chesapeake Room, 2664 Riva Road.