Dear DIPP Stakeholders:

As we enter into the fall season (and a warm one at that!), the Deal Island Peninsula Project has been busy. For at least the past year, one phrase you've heard from us often is that “we are building the case,” using research to document key vulnerabilities and identify appropriate actions to reduce these vulnerabilities in the face of ongoing and future changes. Well, we have built that case, and although we social and natural scientists continue our research, DIPP is moving into action. This transition was evident at the two workshops DIPP hosted on October 7th at St. Paul’s Church in Wenona, a summary of which can be found below. These workshops, which focused on ditch flooding and shoreline erosion -- two key issues targeted by the DIPP network -- helped mobilize several initiatives that are promising steps towards enhancing the resilience of the Deal Island Peninsula. It was an excellent day of collaboration and a perfect platform for new work ahead. We are also excited to share a link to the latest issue of the University of Maryland Terp Alumni Magazine, which features a story on our project and the Deal Island Peninsula (see below). I believe this story accurately captures our willingness to collaborate and learn from each other, building upon our individual expertise and collective interests and openness to diverse views and experiences. Thanks to everyone for your continued support of DIPP, and for helping to make it the success story it has become.

Sincerely,

Michael Paolisso

DIPP Lead

October 7th Summary

On Saturday, October 7th, DIPP hosted two workshops to strategize ways to enhance shoreline protection and reduce ditch flooding concerns. Below is a summary of each workshop.

Ditch Maintenance & Flooding Workshop

Project stakeholders met with county officials to discuss a range of issues related to the system of ditches that crisscross the peninsula’s marshes and upland areas:  flooding, ditch maintenance, process for engaging county support, community and individual household options for improving ditches on their property.  We were fortunate to be joined by Charles Cavanaugh and Woody Barnes, who oversee County roadside and non-roadside ditches, as well as Gary Pusey from Country Zoning and Planning, each who provided information and guidance on ditch maintenance, and a willingness to work with DIPP to improve ditch conditions. In the coming months, the County plans to pursue grant funding to carry out an in-depth ditch assessment on the peninsula. If awarded, the assessment would help identify hotspots that cause flooding and build the case for future implementation dollars. With community involvement and partnerships with the county and state, we are hopeful that DIPP can help tackle flooding issues caused by ineffective ditches.

Shoreline Erosion Workshop 

The second workshop provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss and strategize solutions for addressing shoreline erosion on individual properties and at key locations on the peninsula. Katelin Frase from Environmental Concern shared landscaping techniques and planting recommendations for reducing erosion issues (see below for some new resources). Zoning Specialist Mary Phillips from the County also joined us to provide technical guidance on bulkhead and riprap repairs and construction. Jen Dindinger from Maryland Sea Grant Extensions gave an overview of MDE’s bulkhead and riprap permitting process. Also at the meeting, Sasha Land and Nicole Carlozo from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported on new developments for the Deal Island shoreline reconstruction project near Crowell Road. State funds have been approved for the project design, and additional funds have been budgeted for the next two years for implementation (of course, each year the budget needs legislature approval). Attendees briefly discussed the project's conceptual design and local considerations to share with the engineer design team. DNR will continue to collect comments for the designers through November 3. To submit your comments or view the project timeline, please follow the link below.

DIPP Stakeholders Awarded New Grant

to Support the Project

DIPP stakeholders Michael Paolisso, Christina Prell, Brian Needelman, and Jen Dindinger, and colleagues from the University of Maryland were recently awarded a grant from NOAA's Coastal Oceans and Climate Applications program to expand DIPP's collaborations with churches and rural decision-makers on the Lower Eastern Shore. The award is for work that will take place between 2017-2019 and will build upon ongoing efforts to enhance resilience to ongoing and future impacts on the Peninsula and elsewhere. The goal of the research project is to find ways to better integrate faith-based knowledge with science knowledge to improve dialogue and understandings, and enhance linkages between churches and decision-makers to better support local needs in the face of climate change. More details about this upcoming project and information on how to get involved will be available to you shortly! In the meantime, please feel free to get in touch with any questions or concerns. 

In the News

• The Tide that Binds (Liam Farrell, University of Maryland Terp Magazine, October 10, 2017): Read this excellent article featured in the University of Maryland's latest issue of their alumni magazine. This article was the feature story of this issue, and highlights several DIPP's stakeholders.