SBGP & Elected Leaders Make Major Announcement On Regional Resiliency Initiative
Regional flood mitigation effort kicks off with support from Federal, State, and Local elected officials and partners
(Baltimore, MD) – Congressman John Sarbanes (CD-3), Congressman Kweisi Mfume (CD-7), Mayor Brandon M. Scott, and Baltimore County Executive John “Johnny O” Olszewski, Jr. joined community leaders, representatives of governmental agencies, the leadership of BGE, Medstar Harbor Hospital, and the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership to announce the awarding of a major federal grant and the kickoff of Stage I of the Middle Branch Resiliency Initiative.
“The Middle Branch is a community connector and a vital part of the Chesapeake Bay’s environmental ecosystem that supports the entire state of Maryland, especially Baltimore City. The Middle Branch Resiliency Initiative will revitalize this shoreline to expand economic opportunity, protect the Bay Watershed, boost climate resiliency, advance environmental justice and create new greenspaces that bring Baltimoreans together,” says Congressman Sarbanes.
“The Middle Branch Resiliency Initiative is yet another example of the work we are doing to protect the Chesapeake Bay and make our communities more resilient to the effects of climate change. I am particularly proud that the program from which this $32 million FEMA grant comes from recently received $1 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that President Biden signed into law last year. Democrats, including myself, worked very hard to make this critical infrastructure funding a reality and today we are seeing the results,” said Congressman Kweisi Mfume.
“The Middle Branch Resiliency Initiative is a transformational project aligned with my deep commitment to the safety of our residents, the protection of their ability to live, work and play in Baltimore City, and to prioritizing clean and healthy communities. I’m honored that the City supporting this effort with $5.1 million through our Department of Public Works’ Stormwater Enterprise Fund as it aligns with the City’s Disaster Preparedness and Planning Project (DP3) and that Baltimore City is a part of the regional teamwork going into this important initiative,” said Mayor Scott.
“Leaders at all levels have a responsibility to protect our environment for this generation and the next, and we have made sustainability a top priority in county government,” said County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “Baltimore County is a proud regional partner in the Middle Branch Resiliency Initiative and will continue to support climate resiliency as it becomes increasingly vital in our everyday lives.”
The Middle Branch Resiliency Initiative (MBRI) is a comprehensive implementation strategy for mitigating flood risks to public utilities, hospitals, transportation infrastructure, and communities surrounding the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland. Through a coordinated network of vegetated berms, living shorelines, restored wetlands/aquatic habitats, and public space enhancements, the MBRI will protect critical infrastructure elements and community lifelines.
Stage I of the MBRI will benefit nearby residents, customers of BGE Spring Gardens, patients at MedStar Harbor Hospital, and employees who work at both sites.
“We’re grateful to the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership for facilitating this immense effort that will both protect BGE’s Spring Gardens campus from future climate change risks and importantly produce ecological benefits like improved water quality,” said Carim Khouzami, president & CEO of BGE. “This project directly supports our Path to Clean commitments to maintain a safe, reliable, and affordable energy system for our customers and to lead Maryland to a cleaner and brighter future.”
“Among the improvements, we have been able to create an urban tree canopy and install storm water and rain gardens that filter over five million gallons of storm water each year,” said Jill Donaldson, FACHE, President, MedStar Harbor Hospital & Senior Vice President, MedStar Health. “What an honor it is to have this partnership, for the good of our patients, associates, and community. We are grateful to team with South Baltimore Gateway Partnership to enhance the natural landscape of the beautiful MedStar Harbor Hospital campus, here on the Patapsco River. “
Beneficiaries are primarily concentrated in the jurisdictions of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County. All told, Stage I of the MBRI benefits nearly 410,000 people, representing 21% of the total population of those three jurisdictions.
Peggy Jackson-Jobe, Chair of the Cherry Hill Community Coalition remarks that, “When I think about where we were and where we’re going, I get excited. Thanks to our partners, the wetlands surrounding Cherry Hill and Brooklyn will help prevent flooding and our residents will enjoy the added beauty and bike trails as plans for transforming our community and improving the environment continue.”
“For generations, South Baltimore neighborhoods have faced environmental injustice. With this $47.7 million, we are taking huge steps to repair the mistakes of the past, while protecting our communities from climate disasters in the future. None of this would have happened without an unprecedented collaboration between multiple community organizations, government agencies, and elected officials,” says Brad Rogers, Executive Director of the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership.
The Middle Branch Resiliency Initiative was conceived of and will be implemented by the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership and is made possible by support from Baltimore City, Baltimore County, the State of Maryland, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
