More state aid sought for flood control work
Howard County officials are working with the Department of Homeland Security and the National Weather Service on a “flood apex program,” designed to monitor river and stream levels in the Tiber-Hudson watershed.
The county has 48 monitoring devices in 16 locations throughout the watershed, which is in the historic district. The system triggers alerts from officials when waters rise.
Watson said a second bill will seek to make stormwater management projects eligible for funds from the state’s Bay Restoration Fund Fee. The fund, partially financed through fees collected from residents who use sewers, was created in 2004 to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities.
The fund on average collects $100 million annually from residents, according to the Department of the Environment.
Watson found support from outgoing Del. Robert Flanagan, a Republican who lost his seat to Watson, a former County Council member.
Though Flanagan has not seen a complete draft of Waston’s bills, he said he is “very supportive of any bills [Watson] files that seek funding for the reduction, management and elimination of floods in historic Ellicott City.”
The county is considering a five-year, $50 million plan to help prevent catastrophic flooding in Ellicott City by widening river channels and removing some buildings.
County Executive Calvin Ball has said he wants to review the proposal, and has previously declined to say if the county would acquire the 13 buildings slated for demolition.
Former Republican County Executive Allan Kittleman in August announced support for the flood mitigation plan. It’s opposed by Preservation Maryland, a nonprofit that fears the razing of the buildings would tarnish the historic aura of the town.
Newly elected County Councilwoman Liz Walsh, a Democrat who will represent Ellicott City, said she welcomes legislation that brings more funding to address systemic flooding issues in the historic district.
“We all want as much support we can get from state actors,” Walsh said. “Hopefully we can get more detail from [state lawmakers] as it winds itself through the process.”
The General Assembly session begins in January. elogan@baltsun.com
The county has 48 monitoring devices in 16 locations throughout the watershed, which is in the historic district. The system triggers alerts from officials when waters rise.
Watson said a second bill will seek to make stormwater management projects eligible for funds from the state’s Bay Restoration Fund Fee. The fund, partially financed through fees collected from residents who use sewers, was created in 2004 to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities.
The fund on average collects $100 million annually from residents, according to the Department of the Environment.
Watson found support from outgoing Del. Robert Flanagan, a Republican who lost his seat to Watson, a former County Council member.
Though Flanagan has not seen a complete draft of Waston’s bills, he said he is “very supportive of any bills [Watson] files that seek funding for the reduction, management and elimination of floods in historic Ellicott City.”
The county is considering a five-year, $50 million plan to help prevent catastrophic flooding in Ellicott City by widening river channels and removing some buildings.
County Executive Calvin Ball has said he wants to review the proposal, and has previously declined to say if the county would acquire the 13 buildings slated for demolition.
Former Republican County Executive Allan Kittleman in August announced support for the flood mitigation plan. It’s opposed by Preservation Maryland, a nonprofit that fears the razing of the buildings would tarnish the historic aura of the town.
Newly elected County Councilwoman Liz Walsh, a Democrat who will represent Ellicott City, said she welcomes legislation that brings more funding to address systemic flooding issues in the historic district.
“We all want as much support we can get from state actors,” Walsh said. “Hopefully we can get more detail from [state lawmakers] as it winds itself through the process.”
The General Assembly session begins in January. elogan@baltsun.com
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