CRISFIELD – The City of Crisfield, in partnership with the Nature Conservancy, and various environmental agencies conducted a community meeting to discuss ongoing efforts aimed at reducing flooding in the town. Residents were invited to learn about both potential and current solutions, with a primary focus on addressing flood mitigation.
The highlighted potential projects included new planning and decision tools, efforts to elevate roads and homes, installation of new flood gates, marsh restoration to protect Crisfield’s barrier islands, flood warning systems, and ways for the public to get involved.
The push comes in part due to additional grant funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal. Crisfield Mayor Darleen Taylor says with the support of several agencies, they are working on applying for a 35 million dollar grant.
Liz Van Doalah from the Nature Conservancy says community feedback is the cornerstone for solutions.
“Our overarching goal is to develop some decision making tools to make Crisfield be strategic with how their planning for flooding, and to really bring in and center community concerns and flooding concerns.” said Van Doalah.
Mayor Taylor says addressing the environment will go hand in hand with continuing to grow the economy and business’ in the town
“In order for us to be able to grow our economy, to have events, we got to have a stable environment, we have to be able to manage these flooding issues so I think all of these things will happen together simultaneously – this is a major major part of the foundation for the revitalization of our community.”
The meeting featured presentations from various organizations, including the City of Crisfield, University of Maryland’s Environmental Finance Center, FEMA BRIC Direct Technical Assistance, The Eastern Shore Long-term Recovery Committee, EPA Office of Research and Development, EPA Creating Resilient Water Utilities, and Interfaith Partners of the Chesapeake.