Purpose and composition of the Severn River Commission

Lina Vlavianos, Chair
Sally Hornor, Vice Chair
Deb Smith, Annapolis Representative 
Charlotte Lubbert
Joseph Rubino
Michael Shultz
Jeffrey Schomig
David Hanson - Annapolis Representative

Ex-officio

Virginia Clagett, MD House of Delegates
Jamie Benoit, AA County Council
Samuel E. Shropshire, Annapolis
Scott Hymes, DNR Representative

Meetings

The Severn River Commission meets at 4 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month in the Severn Room, 4th floor of the Anne Arundel County Heritage Office Complex , 2664 Riva Rd., Annapolis. The meetings are open to the public, and public input on matters pertaining to the natural, historic, and scenic qualities of the Severn watershed is encouraged, particularly as they may relate to current or future legislation or government policies.

Current Projects

During 2003 and 2004, the Severn River Watershed Management Master Plan and Jabez Branch remained the Commission's highest priorities. The study has been examining the health of streams in the Severn River watershed, assessing the present and future stormwater management needs, and providing a GIS-based analysis tool for planning future development. Other on going Commission projects include involvement in updating Critical Area Legislation, participating in the SHA Maryland Route 3 task force study, reviewing the Maryland Stormwater Management Master Plan, and evaluation of watershed land use policies.

The Commission continues to be focused on projects which may affect the Jabez Branch because it has naturally reproducing trout and is one of the branches considered the head waters of the Severn River. In 2006 the county executive charged the Severn River Commission with drafting an Environmental Overlay Zone for the Jabez Branch Watershed. The Overlay Zone study suggested the need for a stricter standard of protection to preserve and maintain the existing trout population.

In recent years the Commission has followed the progress of a number of housing developments in the area affecting the Jabez Branch adding suggestions and words of caution to protect the Jabez and its naturally producing brook trout. Among some of the developments in the area that have been followed are: The Naval Academy Dairy Farm, Holloday Park, Kaufmann Park II, KCC Property and the Improvement of Maryland Route 3. The status and a more detailed report of these projects can be found in the Commission’s Biennial Report.

In 2006 the Commission requested the US Geological Survey of the Maryland Department of the Environment to include the Jabez Branch subwatershed in their groundwater study because of the dependence of the brook trout on a consistent supply of cold water provided by underground springs. Since 2003 the Commission has been involved with and following the progress of the watershed study and the watershed management tool. The Commission has encouraged the use of the watershed management tool by the county in land use planning because it allows the planners to model scenarios to assess and foresee land use impacts before development takes place.

Recent Activities

As stipulated in its charter, the Severn River Commission compiles a report of its activities every two years. Biennial reports covering the period 1995-2006 are available on line. Minutes of monthly meetings since the last biennial report are also available on line.

E-mail Contact  

The Severn River Commission encourages electronic input from the public as an alternative to attendance at Commission meetings. Citizens are invited to offer their input on Commission issues, and express their concerns and questions on environmental matters relating to the Severn River and its watershed. Questions about material on the Commission web site are also welcome.

Email address: severnrivercommission@aacounty.org

Different Organizations - Different Agenda

The Severn River Commission (SRC) and the Severn River Association exist to protect the Severn River watershed. However, very often one is confused with the other despite each having very different roles to fulfill. This is an attempt to help the public differentiate between the two and to explain what the SRC does.

The Severn River Association is a dues paying, non-profit activist organization. On the other hand, the Severn River Commission is a quasi-government entity with a specific charge.

The Severn River Commission was created by County Council Resolution 130-84 and City of Annapolis Resolution 55-84 as a result of a decision by the State General Assembly to designate the Severn River and its tributaries as a State Scenic River – one of nine rivers chosen for such designation in Maryland. The Scenic Rivers Act of 1978 instructed the local governing bodies to establish boards to advise on how to protect and enhance each river’s natural, scenic and cultural heritage. Thus the Severn River commission was created. The County and City resolutions charged the SRC to provide counsel and advise on policies, laws, rules, and regulations which the SRC believes may have an impact on the Severn River watershed.

The commission consists of seven county and two city voting members and three ex-officio non-voting members. The nine voting members must be confirmed by either County or City Councils and all are bound by ethics laws. The members serve without compensation.  All meetings are public, are advertised as required by law and minute s are maintained as public documents. A biennial report of its activities is required.

Its official advisory role and official nature set Severn River Commission apart from the Severn River Association and other Severn River groups.

There have been attempts in the past to lure the Commission into an activist role but with small success. From time to time individual Commission members do take on special projects they are interested in and report back to the Commission, but overall policy issues dominate the agenda. For example, protection of the Jabez Branch has been a priority since the SRC was created. Last year former County Executive Janet Owens instructed the SRC to investigate establishing an environmental overlay protection zone for the Jabez Branch watershed. The SRC is pursuing that charge and will make recommendations.

In its role as an advisory body, the SRC has been involved in legislative and regulatory procedures concerning critical and decisive issues affecting the well-being of the entire watershed. Of particular concern is the projected deforestation of the watershed. Currently, 33% of the Severn River Watershed is forested, however, the projected forest cover could be reduced to 6% with current zoning if total build out occurs. The implications of such loss of forest cover are staggering and will be reviewed by the SRC in the context of the General Development Plan.

It is in areas such as those mentioned above that the Severn River Commission is mostly effective and builds a credible reputation as a true advisory body. To further its effectiveness, the Commission is discussing ways to create a framework for interaction between the Commission and the many watershed organizations with environmental interests. A unity of purpose among the groups would generate more focused attention on producing positive results. Everyone would benefit.

Bylaws

The Bylaws are amended from May 14, 1985 as Revised and Adopted July 7, 2005

Resolutions Creating the Severn River Commission

County Council Resolution R130-84 Creating the Severn River Commission
Annapolis City Council Resolution R55-84 Creating the Severn River Commission
County Council Resolution R47-87 Reestablishing the Severn River Commission
Annapolis City Council Resolution R50-89