Planning in Progress

What is stormwater resiliency and why do we need to address it? 

Urban flooding is a growing issue in Maryland.  The increasing number of extreme rainfall events that produce intense precipitation will continue to lead to more urban flooding events unless steps are taken to mitigate their impacts. 

The Maryland General Assembly recognized the need to address urban flooding with the passing of Senate Bill 227 (2021 session). The Bill tasks the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) with developing plans to evaluate current flooding risks and update regulations to improve urban stormwater flood management. In 2021, MDE released a report titled “Advancing Stormwater Resiliency in Maryland” (A-StoRM) that provides a roadmap towards modernizing stormwater management in Maryland. 

Where do we begin? 

MDE is taking action through collecting relevant data sets, developing tools and web applications, targeting funding opportunities, developing outreach and education, and updating existing stormwater regulations. 

Step one is performing a statewide comprehensive urban flood management assessment.  With the help of local floodplain and stormwater managers, MDE will identify and characterize Maryland’s urban flooding events and report the current state of local stormwater and flood management programs. 

Spring 2022 – Phase I: information Gathering and Analysis 

We want to hear from you – surveys, interviews, data sharing 

• Flooding events in your jurisdiction 
• Stormwater management requirements and watershed studies 
• Data and resource gaps 

Summer and Fall 2022 – Phase II: Draft Regulations Update 

Where we need to go – use data to update requirements 

• Design storm precipitation standards 
• ESD to the MPE design storm 
• Stormwater quantity management criteria 

Winter and Spring 2023 – Phase III: Identify Data and Programmatic Gaps 

How we can help – build resources and strategies 

• Education 
• Tools 
• Funding opportunities 

Get involved! 

MDE will hold three regional kickoff meetings to engage local jurisdictions. 

– Central Maryland – April 12, 2022 – 10 am to 12 pm

– Western Maryland – April 13, 2022 – 10 am to 12 pm 

– Eastern & Southern Maryland – April 20, 2022 – 1 pm to 3 pm 

Following these meetings, MDE will begin data collection and information exchange through targeted focus group meetings, online surveys, and development of a webpage. 

Be a part of the process! 

To learn more about stormwater resiliency, please contact Stewart Comstock, Water Resources Engineer, MDE, at stewart.comstock@maryland.gov.