Grants to Local Communities

In partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), CCP provides financial assistance to local communities for coastal hazards and sea-level rise response planning aimed at identifying and implementing strategies to protect life and property. Funding is allocated on a yearly basis, and has been used to assist local communities invest in computer models, implement land use plans and establish development codes and ordinances.

Current Projects and Case Studies

City of Annapolis Sea Level Rise Adaptation and Response Plan: Vulnerability and Impact Assessment and the Policy Response Option Analysis (ongoing)
The City of Annapolis is currently conducting an assessment of the City Dock area of the historic district and Eastport neighborhood for sea level rise and storm surge impacts. The assessment will include: the identification and mapping of areas susceptible to flooding now and in the future; identification of structural and non-structural options for protecting property identified in flood threatened areas; review of fixed and temporary flood barriers; identification of infrastructure modifications, such as storm drains and sewer pipes, and the installation of stormwater pumping stations; estimation of design and construction costs associated with various options for structural and non-structural protection of flood threatened areas; and the identification of short-term, mid-term and long-term planning goals.

Town of Queenstown: Integrated Community and Watershed Design Project (ongoing)
Queenstown is preparing an Integrated Community Design Document to address the growth in the town's planning area, ensuring it will be compatible with the town's rural waterfront village character. The Town’s Draft Community Plan introduces for the first time the use of Category 4 Hurricanes for determining storm surge levels and sensitive areas. As a part of this project, criteria will be established requiring any development activity to directly address mitigation of sea level rise effects and to incorporate mechanisms to address climate change.

Caroline County: Improving Caroline County's Floodplain and Stormwater Management (ongoing)
Caroline County is utilizing funds to improve their Floodplain and Stormwater Management programs. The County is identifying flood prone areas, sea level rise impacts, and areas affected by storm surge to assist with the rezoning in the floodplain, as well as sharing the information with Caroline County Emergency Management for potential inclusion in future Hazard Mitigation plans.

Anne Arundel County Sea Level Rise Strategic Plan (ongoing)
Anne Arundel County is working through an interagency project team to conduct a vulnerability assessment to identify potential areas of sea level rise and storm surge inundation, assess trends and predict impacts of shoreline erosion, and develop complete inventories of resources at risk. The County proposes to take the findings of this work to develop a sea level rise strategic plan that establishes policies and a framework of priority actions to protect resources and minimize impacts.

Town of Crisfield: Strategic Revitalization Plan for the Town of Crisfield and Technical Appendices (2008)
In April 2005, Crisfield was designated as a Maryland Priority Place, a State program designed to assist communities and facilitate well-planned development and community revitalization by integrating smart growth principles in city efforts. This project supported the development of a Strategic Revitalization Plan to guide the way for the future re-development, while outlining a strategy to maintain the vital coastal character, public access and protection of Crisfield’s natural resources. The SRP includes a data inventory and analysis, stakeholder interviews, economic, market and natural resource analysis, design charrettes and recommendations in order to explore economic development opportunities and redevelopment and infill scenarios for Crisfield’s downtown and Somers Cove marina.

Somerset County, Rising Sea Level Guidance (2008)
Somerset County utilized funds to assess the County’s vulnerability to sea level rise and to review and develop workable revisions to the County’s plans, development codes, and regulations to mitigate the identified impacts. The recommendations address suggested modifications to the County’s planning and regulatory mechanism, including the Floodplain Management Ordinance/Building Code, Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, Comprehensive Plan, and Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Worcester County, Sea Level Rise Response Strategy (2008)
Following development of the Worcester County Sea Level Rise Inundation Model (2006) that depicts both the impact of gradual sea level rise inundation over time, as well as impacts associated with increased storm surge from episodic flood events, the County adopted its 2006 Comprehensive Plan. This Plan called for the development of a Sea Level Rise Response Strategy; directed future growth to areas outside of Category 3, Hurricane Storm Surge boundaries; and discouraged hard shoreline stabilization. This project utilized funds to support a planning consultant to assist Worcester County with the development of the Sea Level Rise Response Strategy, as called for in the Comprehensive Plan.

Dorchester County, Sea Level Rise: Technical Guidance for Dorchester County (2008)
With nearly 60% of Dorchester County lying within the 100-year floodplain, it is by far one of Maryland’s most vulnerable counties to sea level rise. This project supported a review all existing long-range and comprehensive planning documents, county codes, regulations, plans and ordinances to determine whether sea level rise or coastal hazard mitigation has been addressed in any of these documents and where it could be incorporated. Additionally, the report provides guidance and recommendations for public education and outreach, and a summary of financial and technical needs to facilitate implementation.

Request for Proposals CoastSmart Communities Initiative (CCI)

The CoastSmart Communities Initiative (CCI) competitive grant program will provide financial and technical assistance to local governments to promote the incorporation of natural resource and/or coastal management issues into local planning and permitting activities.