Forest Greens - Perryman Community Association

The Forest Greens-Perryman Community Association held a fall meeting on October 29, 2003 at 7:00pm at Clorox. There were 68 people in attendance.

Harry Webster introduced the officers and Board of Directors:

Treasurer Paul Tracy gave the annual report for October 2003 – October 2004. Income was $674.88 and expenses were $398.59 during the period. The current balance of the association was $4,481.38. 2003-2004 membership dues may be paid to Paul tonight or sent to the PO Box.

Doug ?, from the Harford County Emergency Management center spoke on the effects of the storm. Harford County had the most storm damage in Maryland from Floyd, but Isabel was not as bad. Still, damage in Harford County is estimated to be $12.5 million. Current records show that there were 121 homes and 21 business damaged, but total damage figures have not yet all been received. The areas in Harford County that were most damaged were Perryman, Long Bar Harbor, Willoughby Beach and Havre de Grace.

From 9:00 am September 19 until midnight September 20 the Emergency Management Center was fully activated. They received 12,347 calls during this time period. Doug stated that the forecast at first was for a storm surge of 1-3 feet. Then it was raised to 3-5 feet. The storm traveled further west and brought water up the Chesapeake Bay right at high tide. The resulting surge was in excess of nine feet. There was only about 1-2 feet of clearance under the Amtrak rails at the height of the surge.

Perryman Fire House was used as a center to aide hurricane victims. The deadline to submit applications for assistance was November 18. Citizens were encouraged to call FEMA or stop by and complete a loan application.

Doug stated that they learned many lessons from both Floyd and Isabel to aide in future preparations for Hurricanes. From Floyd they knew that they should begin planning for storm damage a week in advance. They are hoping to put more automated gauge sensors that detect tide levels in the Chesapeake Bay. Currently there are only two, and Isabel showed that there needs to be more. It took the citizens of Harford County two years to fully recover from Hurricane Floyd. Early estimates are that Isabel will take longer. Finally, Doug stated that Emergency Operations can be reached at 410-638-4900 for further questions or concerns.

Brownie Pierce asked about crop damage estimates in the county. Doug stated that current estimates are that 20% of the crops were destroyed, but that firmer numbers will be available after the fall harvest. Farmers should have insurance to protect against damages, but not all do. Brownie replied that it is not affordable for farmers to have insurance.

Harry Webster introduced Valerie Twanmoh to give an update on the County Land Use Plan. He reminded the audience that this plan is of particular concern to FGPCA members because our area has been deemed vital for the economic health of our county. However, as residents FGPCA members remain concerned about preserving the integrity of the area.

Val Twanmoh is the former President of Friends of Harford County (FoH), an organization dedicated to Harford County and it’s citizens. Current president Judy Bloomquist, and member Grace Hiter were also in attendance. Twanmoh first explained the process that will be followed in the next year to create a Master Plan for land use. She stated that a Land Use Plan is written every 7 years and contains a vision for the County for next 10+ years. It is a helpful guide and not a law that is mandated to take place. It addresses economic concerns, agribusiness development, open space, parks, transportation, and residential growth including water and sewer access. Communities are encouraged to be part of the process by submitting concerns and comments. A meeting for interested citizens was held in Aberdeen on Nov. 13 at 7:00pm. She encouraged audience members to attend one of the upcoming meetings on the plan. Other meeting dates were listed on a sheet provided at the meeting. Once the Master Plan is done the comprehensive rezoning process takes place. This will occur in 2004 and will determine final zoning.

Twanmoh admitted that the document is long, but suggested audience members read the Aberdeen/ Havre de Grace/ Perryman section. She summarized the significant parts of the master plan.

1. • Perryman is the most unique and special area from an environmental standpoint because of its watershed. Perryman has also been identified as the economic engine to drive the county into the future. These two identities obviously clash as county officials recognize the environmentally sensitive areas, yet discuss intense development for the area.
2. • The well field for the County should be protected. The well head protection plan is discussed in the document. In 1997 a task force was put together and developed a well head protection plan. The plan divides land into various zones to describe appropriate uses for the land to ensure protection of the wells. This is very important to protect our water supply. This should have become law, but it has not happened yet. Ms. Twanmoh feels that this plan should be reviewed before the rezoning process.
3. • The Perryman Visioning Plan allows mixed uses in the area (housing, industrial, high tech, etc). Twanmoh encouraged audience members to ask questions to ensure the environmental areas are conserved. Are there buffers and parks? What types of contaminates could become a concern? Are the wetlands recognized and protected? Where will money come from to improve the access roads for the Peninsula? How will Phillips Airfield impact the environment?

Twanmoh was questioned about why the Wellhead Protection Plan has not been completed. She feels it is because Harford County has not been pushed enough by concerned citizens. Harry Webster announced that flyers are available with information on future meetings.

Ceil Stepp encouraged FGPCA members to attend the meetings for further information. She noted that even though there is no Wellhead Protection Plan law, the protections are already in place.

Glenn Dudderer spoke about the wetlands and how the County’s Master Plan may affect their quality. To accomplish this, Glenn compared and contrasted the Master plan use and Bush River Watershed plan. Both are available online and are Harford County documents.

Glenn described a high stream quality as cool water with high dissolved oxygen. They have frequent and varied combinations of runs and pools. An example is Deer Creek. Low stream quality is muddy with low dissolved oxygen. These have few aquatic organisms with wide unstable banks. An example would be Cranberry Run.

The Bush River Watershed plan defined the Bush River watershed boundary and then broke the areas down into subsections. The streams were then studied to determine their quality

as sensitive, impacted or non-supporting. If the County goes with the proposed zoning, approximately 9 streams would be degraded. Glenn provided a map showing the streams in the watershed that will be affected.

The land use map shows high development in areas that effect streams. There is a list of ways to reduce runoff in new development areas: dry extended detention ponds, filtering and infiltration practices, and wet or dry retention ponds. But Glenn questioned if these techniques would be funded.

Glenn’s conveyed that the community needs to be at the land use meetings and we should demand that these areas be down zoned or these runoff reduction practices are required and funded. He also suggested going to the Council and tell them.

Glenn also shared pictures of what the river looked like with green slime. He contributed these bacteria from development runoff. Paul Tracy asked how the study was done and Glenn said the County got a grant for the project and hired consultants from Howard County. Harry wrapped up the topic by stating this is why it is important to be at this meeting for land use and rezoning.

Harry Webster shared information from Mary Deitz from SHA. Leaders are considering different ways to provide better access to the Perryman Peninsula in order to encourage growth.

1. • The first option is to create a border road along APG, and then link Rt. 715 to Rt. 22. The community approves of this plan, but acknowledges that it will be expensive.
2. • The second option is to create a road around the Bush River. FGPCA does not support this option.
3. • A third option is to create a road from Rt. 40 to Perryman Road, and then to Phillips Airfield.
4. • Another thing being considered is widening Perryman Road to four lanes.

Judy Bloomquist from FoH commented that to make these roads will cost millions of dollars. The Perryman Visioning Plan map has many areas marked green. This should be protected land that would be undeveloped. However, to make a feasible road plan the green land would have to be developed in order to justify the road costs. She commented that all the pieces to this are still unknown.

Harry Webster commented that the roads are currently unfunded. He wondered if a developer would invest in the area and help to cover the cost to build the necessary roads. The next meeting of FGPCA will focus on roads and transportation issues.

Heather Cisar informed members that the Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) for the county is final. Wetlands have been delineated in our area. She also introduced the water shed manager at APG, Dr. Jim Bailey. As a neighbor to our area, he shared information about their activities.

He told audience members that APG is doing a SAMP of their own on their 72,000+ acres. Of this number 30,000 acres are water, 42,000 acres are land. 13,000 acres are considered wetlands. Harford County’s watershed flows into APG. The SAMP allows organizations, agencies, and departments to collaborate on ways to protect the property. Wetlands are important to us all because they aide in water control, help to recharge and cleanse water, and provide an important habit for waterfowl. The SAMP will determine the current condition of the wetlands.

The Perryman SAMP focuses on how to recreate wetlands in order to help to improve current ones. The APG SAMP has different problems. They are concerned about where ammunitions are, and trying to determine how to improve wildlife habitats. At APG they are careful with decisions as they are fully aware that their actions will impact wetlands. They are a member of the Chesapeake Bay Tributary team and actively work to help prevent the destruction of the Chesapeake Bay.

Hurricane Isabel wreaked havoc on 102 miles of county shore line that were already eroding. APG is trying to protect these shorelines by improving vegetation along them. He concluded by saying that APG is trying to be a good neighbor to our community.

Harry Webster read the Philips Airfield Joint Use memorandum of understanding news release aloud. An agreement of memorandum is currently being written between Aberdeen and APG. Efforts are being made to address any issues that joint use may raise and ensure that all stake holders’ concerns are met. He also talked with Peter Dacey and learned that a meeting will be held to inform citizens of the progress and that all are invited to participate. The process is just starting.

Ron Roz warned audience members that Fort Hood allowed joint land use of just corporate planes in the beginning, and then two years later it became a regional airport. He urged citizens to carefully follow the upcoming developments and get involved.

Debbie Diering provided information outside of the meeting on the development in our area. The Price Brothers property has a plan for two separate companies to purchase two warehouses. The size of the warehouses is 814,000 sq. ft. and 638,000 sq. ft. These plans are approved and valid until January 2005. The Gablers Shore property has 57 recorded lots with the community marina. There is a plan to reduce the number of homes to 52. The plans are still under review.

Richard Dixon made a motion to reelect Heather Cisar to the Board of FGPCA for another 3 years. Everyone agreed.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25.