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Another Earth Day has passed. Since over 50 years, April 22 has been a reminder of our environmental responsibilities for all life on Earth. But here in Maryland, we don’t need a date on the calendar. All signs are visible.
Whether in the heart of Baltimore, in the state’s capital, Annapolis, or in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay, we have received repeated reminders of the damages caused by the furies of Mother Nature.
Back in 2003, as the result of the remnants of Hurricane Isabel, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor experienced severe flooding. The storm had raised 8 feet the Bay tide and caused extensive damage, including to World Trade Center.
The waterfront tower’s basement level electrical equipment was compromised, and the building had to be closed for more than a month, as tenants scrambled to find temporary space. That flooding also affected Fell’s Point and severely damaged the Baltimore Museum of Industry.
According to a 2016 report by the Environmental Protection Agency, “Sea level is rising more rapidly in Maryland than in most coastal areas because the land is sinking. If the atmosphere and oceans continue to warm, the sea level along Maryland’s coast will likely rise 16 inches to 4 feet over the next century. As sea level rises, the lowest dry lands are submerged and become either tidal wetland or open water.”
Holland Island, once inhabited by watermen and farmers, is already lost to the waters of the Bay, it’s last house (constructed in 1888) having collapsed in 2010. Smith Island is not at immediate risk of being submerged but the long-term outlook for Smith Island is not good.
Residents of Ellicott City are particularly concerned about the dangers presented by rising waters. In July 2016, torrential rainfall flooded the historic mill town, causing flash floods to sweep Main Street, destroying shops and vehicles, and resulting in two deaths. Some store owners rebuilt while others moved on.
Less than two years later, in May 2018, another disastrous storm hit the town, wrecking roads, buildings and causing one fatality. By then, the term “1,000-year storm” had lost its meaning. Howard County has secured $60 Million in funding for its Safe and Sound Plan and associated flood mitigation projects to combat the worst effects from future storms.
Future challenges
Annapolis is another area that has been affected by coastal flooding. The Annapolis City Dock is the historic center of this colonial seaport that is now a destination for many visitors. According to the Bay Journal, portions of the City Dock are underwater 50–60 days a year, compared to three or four days a year a half-century ago, when Earth Day was first observed.
Annapolis has just launched an ambitious $50 million project intended to provide essential flood protection immediately adjacent to the town’s long, narrow boat basin. The project involves raising the dock walkway, building an additional flood wall, and installing a retractable barrier to provide 8 feet protection above the sea level.
“What’s happening here is not just a pilot for Maryland but also a demonstration project for the rest of the country,” said Nicholas Redding, president and CEO of Preservation Maryland. “Anywhere you go in the world, historic resources sit at the water’s edge. So, we have to figure out ways to protect those resources, particularly those affected by an ever-changing climate and sea level rise.”
Responses elsewhere
Cities around the world, as well as those in America, are dealing with similar problems and are finding innovative solutions. These include:
- Chicago, which has adopted green stormwater infrastructure and urban-vertical farms in response to the city’s frequent flooding from its stormwater system.
- Rotterdam in the Netherlands, which has taken to “waterscaping” — creating green spaces within the urban setting in order to absorb rainfall and ease the stress on the sewage system.
- Tokyo has been updating its subway lines in preparation for rising urban flooding. It has placed large underground water reservoirs and rain shields at train stations.
The global community must recognize the challenges and take into consideration the risks of inaction to ensure Earth Day is celebrated every day.
Joe Nathanson is the principal of Urban Information Associates, a Baltimore-based consulting firm for economic and community development. He has been writing a monthly column for The Daily Record since 2001. [email protected]
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