the program was partially reinstated for protection of public lands and facilities (ie. roadways). In 2002, applications for the protection of private property became eligible for funding. Please refer to the
Procedures for Establishing a Shore Erosion Control Taxing District. Vegetative or non-structural projects generally consist of clean sand fill placed along the shoreline and planted with appropriate grasses to provide stable, vegetative buffers and fringe tidal marshes. 45/55 matching grants are available for private landowners and 75/25 grants are available for eligible public land protection projects.
Future maintenance is responsibility of property owner(s). Please refer to the
Step-by-Step Procedure for the Establishment of Non-Structural, Living Shoreline Projects published by the Department of Natural Resources if you are interested in establishing a district in your neighborhood.
The problem of upgrading substandard subdivision roads and making them suitable for acceptance into the County Highway Maintenance System is one, which can and does have implications for significant outlay of capital improvement funds. The Commissioners of St. Mary's County requested, and was granted in 1976, the legislative authority by the Maryland General Assembly to create Special Taxing Districts for this purpose. On March 10, 1977 a formal Policy outlining the procedures (from the initial petition submission through the formal public informational meeting, ordinance preparation, public hearing, budget request, construction and acceptance phases) was developed for lot owners and is available by contacting the Department at (301) 475-4200. In short, the financing of such construction projects is accomplished by the County borrowing the funds with the benefited lot owners reimbursing the costs of the principal and interest over a period of time not to exceed twenty (20) years. Please refer to our
Special Taxing District Procedures if you are interested in establishing a district in your neighborhood.
The Maryland Navigation Division of the Department of Natural Resources has established a Waterway Improvement Fund for the purpose of marking channels and harbors, clearing debris from waterways, dredging channels, constructing jetties / marine facilities that are beneficial to the boating public. Eligible public and private improvement Waterway Improvement projects are further described
in Natural Resources Article Section 8-707. Grants of 100% are available if the project benefits the general boating public by: providing accessibility to sheltered water bodies (harbor of refuge); provides suitable anchorage conditions for day or night mooring; satisfies a demand for access to the water and relieves congestion on waterways; or provides water access for fueling, repair, dry storage, individual storage berths. 50/50 Matching Fund Grants may be provided if it is determined that the general boating public is not significantly benefited. The State and County/residents split the cost and the County is reimbursed by the established Taxing District over a specified period of time not to exceed twenty five (25) years. A petition from at least 75% of the benefited property owners is required to initiate the formal DNR Need and Feasibility review for private community improvements. The maximum allocated by the State per year per project under the Waterway Improvement Program (WIP) is $25,000. Please refer to our
Special Taxing District Policy and
Procedures if you are interested in establishing a district in your neighborhood..