ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 23, 2002) – Governor Parris N. Glendening today announced Board of Public Works approval of a $191,305 grant to assist Cecil County conduct a flood protection project and feasibility study.
“Safeguarding our citizens is perhaps one of the most essential duties of government, and one we take very seriously,” said Gov. Parris N. Glendening. “This funding lays the foundation to a better quality of life for this community that has been continually plagued by flooding. Flood damage to public and private property will be reduced or eliminated as a result of this project.”

The grant from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) will fund a portion of the project to determine cost effective ways of protecting vulnerable properties in downtown Elkton along Main and Bridge streets from flooding. The study will also include a 65 percent complete design of the alternative selected as the best preventative measure.

Once the study is completed, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin designing and constructing necessary flood protection measures.

Both county and city officials hope that putting new measures in place will eliminate chronic flooding problems in the area during times of strong winds and heavy precipitation, such as during Hurricane Floyd in 1999.

“On behalf of the town of Elkton and its citizens, I wish to extend our appreciation to Governor Parris N. Glendening and the Board of Public Works, along with Secretary Jane Nishida and the staff of MDE, for their continuing assistance to the Elkton community and for their approval of funding under the Comprehensive Flood Management Grant Program to support Elkton’s flood feasibility study,” said Elkton Mayor Robert J. Alt.

The total cost of the project is $1.15 million, of which $352,800 is the local share. The remainder of the costs will be covered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

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