ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 12, 2001) – The Maryland Board of Public Works approved today a grant of $201,000 for Anne Arundel County to upgrade and expand the existing stormwater management pond in the Shipley’s Choice subdivision in Severna Park.

The state of Maryland is agressively looking at all projects to help improve and preserve the fragile environmental state of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries,” said Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, who chaired today’s Board meeting. “This grant will allow Anne Arundel County officials to move forward with assisting in that effort at the local level.”

The design and construction of a retrofit to the existing Shipley’s Choice stormwater management pond consists of excavation, weir replacement, micro-pools and plantings to both treat and control the stormwater flowing from a 100-acre drainage area.

County officials are hoping this grant from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) will assist them to reducing the amount of nutrients being discharged into the Severn River.

The total cost of the project is $312,000 of which $111,000 is the local share being paid by Anne Arundel County. The project is expected to get underway this month and will be completed by October of next year.

Usually chaired by Governor Parris N. Glendening, the Board of Public Works also is comprised of Comptroller William Donald Schaefer and Treasurer Richard N. Dixon. The Board is empowered by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.

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