Regular Monthly Meeting March 5, 2009

Members Present:

Lina Vlavianos, Chair
Sally Hornor, Vice Chair
Dan Haas
Charlotte Lubbert
Kurt Riegel
Joe Rubino
Jeff Schomig
Bob Whitcomb
Scott Hymes, MD DNR (Ex officio)
Veronica Jagoe for AACo.Councilman Benoit (Ex officio)
Sam Shropshire, City Council (Ex officio)                                

Guests and Staff:  

Dave Bolton, Maryland Geological Survey
Albert Johnston, Greater Severna Park Council
Nita Maggio, State Legislative Aide for Del. D. Dwyer
Brenda Reiber, AACo. County Executive’s Office
Harry Sinclair, Jr., Community activities
Brenda Weeks, AACo. DPW/WERS

Members Absent:

Debra Smith
Virginia P. Clagett, MD House Delegates (Ex officio)        

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Vlavianos called the regular monthly meeting of the Severn River Commission (SRC) to order at 4:08 p.m. in the Severn Room, 2664 Riva Road, Annapolis, MD. A quorum was declared present. 

Mr. David Bolton from the Maryland Geological Survey (MGS), SRC members, guests and staff were introduced. Mr. Bolton was present at the request of the Chair to update the Commission on the assessment of groundwater resources of the Maryland Coastal Plain study that is in progress. Late in 2006, SRC requested that the Jabez Branch subwatershed be part of the study.   

During his presentation, Mr. Bolton pointed out that an Advisory Committee convened by the Governor on the Management and Protection of the State’s Water Resources, otherwise known as the “Wolman Committee,” recommended a comprehensive evaluation of watersheds and aquifers that are significant sources of water supply. Concerns included declining water levels and water quality. Saltwater intrusion is a significant water-quality issue for the confined aquifers and naturally high concentrations of trace-element contaminants including arsenic and radium. Mr. Bolton displayed a map of the Maryland Coastal Plain assessment study area showing the relationship of the aquifers, and described various features of aquifers.

Mr. Bolton discussed water-management needs: better evaluation of cumulative withdrawals on regional potentiometric surface, better organization of data, re-evaluation of groundwater “management levels” as a regulatory mechanism, and MDE’s need for comprehensive management tools that will help allocate groundwater in a scientifically sound manner, in a regional context. He noted that a Science Plan (published by USGS in 2007) was written to provide a comprehensive “road map” to guide the activities necessary for the development of appropriate groundwater management tools.

Mr. Bolton reviewed the Science Plan goals: document the hydrogeologic framework and aquifer properties; conduct detail studies of the regional groundwater flow system and water budget; improve documentation of patterns of groundwater quality; enhance groundwater level and streamflow-monitoring networks; and develop tools to facilitate scientifically sound management of the ground water resources.  Phase I  (getting started/building partnerships) of a 3-phase implementation plan should be completed in 2010. Phase II (scheduled to start in 2011) consists of filling in the gaps and building the resource management tools and Phase III, using the tools to manage and optimize the resource. The main product from Phase II is developing and testing a groundwater flow model funding permitting. 

Mr. Bolton described the development of regional and nested groundwater flow models. The models give estimates as to how much water from precipitation seeps into the ground, goes into shallow layers, migrates into the aquifers and goes into local streams. Modeling shows that very little water goes into the aquifers; most of the water is discharged into local streams.

Mr. Bolton discussed advantages and disadvantages for Jabez Branch as a candidate for the recharge study. Advantages considered, Jabez is located in an outcrop area, is environmentally sensitive, and has a streamflow record though limited. Disadvantages include a scale problem (model grid too coarse), site-specific bias/applicability, need for detailed characterization, and funding/resources.

 In response to numerous questions, Mr. Bolton pointed out brackish water intrusion is being monitored in the South River area; there is no evidence of any in the Severn. MGS works closely with the County Health Department on specific issues on a project basis, rather than a continuing basis. No significant percentage of water is withdrawn from the aquifers when compared to total production that is remaining in nature and flowing into tributaries and the Bay. There are conflicting opinions as to whether the increase in impervious surface impacts the amount of water available for recharge. To better understand the hydrologic system in the Jabez area, more data on the groundwater hydrology and geology and perhaps modeling is needed. SRC wants to be absolutely certain that the stream will continue receiving the cold water seeps. A discussion regarding water temperatures in the Severn watershed/ Jabez area ensued.  When questioned about the possibility of including a portion of the Jabez in this study, Mr. Bolton stated that if you really want to know what is going on at Jabez Run, a stand-alone study would have to be done. SRC will continue to discuss the conditions at Jabez and decide how to best address this matter.

On behalf of the Commission, Vlavianos thanked Mr. Bolton for his presentation and the useful information he provided.

The Minutes for the February 5, 2009, regular monthly SRC meeting was presented for approval. There were no corrections.

MOTION:  A MOTION, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE FEBRUARY 5, 2009, REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING OF THE SEVERN RIVER COMMISSION, WAS MADE BY WHITCOMB AND SECONDED BY HORNOR.  THE MOTION WAS PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE AND THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED AS WRITTEN.

1. Chair Vlavianos introduced two newly appointed SRC members, Kurt Riegel (replaced Mike Shultz) and Dan Haas (replaced Dave Hanson).  As everyone knows Mr. Riegel, he felt there was no need to give further information.  Mr. Haas is a sales representative for materials of instructions for schools, lives in West Annapolis, is a member of the Annapolis Environmental Commission, is interested in protecting the environment and served on the Scenic Rivers Lands Trust.
2. Smith notified the Chair she would not be present at this meeting due to illness.
3. Mr. Bob Winchester, AACo. Inspections & Permits, will address enforcement of the Critical Area law at the SRC’s April meeting.
4. The SRC 2007-2008 Biennial Report is now completed.  The Chair will present published copies to County Council members at the March 16 County Council meeting and copies will be presented to the County Executive and Mayor of Annapolis.  Additional copies will be distributed electronically on March 17, 2009.

OLD BUSINESS

Special Committees Reports:

Critical Area Legislation (CA)

Schomig reported that the Advisory Committee would probably recommend a takings standing applicable in the buffer; an unwarranted hardship would apply outside the buffer.  Development in the buffer will probably be on a case-by-case situation. 

Schomig described his contact with County Inspections & Permits staff while reporting a violation via the hotline.  Concerns have been raised over removal of trees along the shoreline and hardening of the shoreline.  Schomig will address all points of concern at the April meeting, especially how enforcement personnel interpret County Critical Area laws.  Prior to the April meeting, he will contact the State Critical Area Commission to discuss the points of concern.

Jabez Branch

Environmental Overlay Zone  Vlavianos reported the Subcommittee met with AACo. Planning & Zoning Officer Larry Tom and his staff.  Revisions to SRC’s proposed language were discussed and the draft legislation is in the hands of P&Z.  The Subcommittee emphasized that the proposed overlay zone legislation is the best effort for maintaining a cold water ecosystem.  Major components include:  riparian buffers, impervious surface limitations, infiltration, septics, and variances.  The Office of Planning & Zoning requested additional maps that were delivered on March 5, 2009.  All materials will be reviewed, SRC will be contacted as needed, and P&Z will discuss the legislation with Councilman Jamie Benoit.

Naval Academy Dairy Farm  The Master Plan for the 150 acres that will be for public use was presented at a public meeting on February 18.  The details have been posted on the Recreation & Parks website.  The plan is a multi-phased one dependent on available funding.  The farm operation will continue to be active.  Vlavianos pointed out there was not a single criticism of the plan during the public meeting.

Hornor reported the Special Advisory Committee (SAC) will meet on March 9 to discuss the most recent draft report based on public input.  Some committee members feel the report is too anti-growth.  Hornor submitted comments that she made on behalf of the SRC which have not been included in the report to be attached to the report.  She noted Chapter 12 is still not available in the draft document, which includes fiscal analysis, actions to be taken, and a schedule of implementation. No consensus on the final report as been reached yet.  Some individuals are providing comments, while others are holding off until Chapter 12 is available. 

In response to an article he co-authored appearing in the Arden newsletter, Whitcomb reported that he received a number of inquiries about replacement septic systems and forwarded applications for grants to several people.

Whitcomb has signed a legal agreement with the County on his own system and is keeping progress records to keep SRC updated.

Representing SRC, Vlavianos reported she attended an exceptionally well-organized Annapolis Watershed Forum on February 9, 2009. She made two comments on behalf of the Commission: (1) SRC will support Annapolis environmental initiatives and (2) she would like to see a biennial progress report on the initiatives taken.

Following a brief discussion, SRC decided not to participate in the Annapolis Maritime Heritage Festival at this time.

MOTION:  A MOTION, THAT SRC DOES NOT PLAN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ANNAPOLIS MARITIME HERITAGE FESTIVAL AT THIS TIME, WAS MADE BY HORNOR AND SECONDED BY LUBBERT. THE MOTION WAS PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.

Lubbert reported the SRC website had 1,124 hits during February and 804 hits during January. Pollution continues to be the most popular topic.

SRC members want to receive the agenda and minutes by email. 

Riegel suggested the agenda be posted on the SRC website. Lubbert will discuss this possibility with the County Information Technology office.

Public participation at SRC meetings will be discussed at a future meeting.

Ms. Brenda Reiber reported that the Watershed Stewards Academy had its first class of Master Watershed Stewards on March 4, 2009. 

PUBLIC INPUT

There was no public input.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. The next monthly SRC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 2009, 4:00 p.m., in the Severn Room (4th floor), 2664 Riva Road.