You can track our progress across four priority areas designed to address climate change. Other activities not reflected in this dashboard are described in our Annual Climate Change Report in accordance with §2–1305 of the Environment Article.
Overall Progress For WSA Climate Related Goals
WSA’s priority areas tie together the fundamental elements needed to enhance climate change adaptation and build resilience in Maryland’s water sector.
- Leverage Science & Planning: to provide the foundation for adapting programs and decision making, like permits, to factor in ever-changing conditions associated with climate change.
Permit Climate Reviews: regulatory approvals and permits must change to support safe and sustainable development and management of water resources and infrastructure, especially with the rapidly changing climate.
- Green, Blue, & Traditional Infrastructure: water resources and Infrastructure must be enhanced by WSA decisions because the resilience of these assets is vital towards ensuring a healthy environment and vibrant communities.
- Emergency Preparedness & Response: capabilities and procedures must be up to date and exercised to help protect public health, water resources and critical infrastructure on which Maryland’s communities rely.
These priority areas support elements of the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 concerning communities that are disproportionately affected by climate change. The action items are aligned with Maryland’s Next Generation Climate Adaptation Plan. Some action items promote green and blue infrastructure that help control flooding. These actions align with the vision advocated by the Green and Blue Infrastructure Advisory Policy Commission, foster nutrient reductions in support of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan, and contribute towards the natural emissions sinks that are part of Maryland’s Climate Pathways strategy to reduce greenhouse gas.
Climate Resilience Priority Areas
Priority Area 1: Leverage Science and Planning
Leverage science and planning to integrate climate resilience into MDE’s water resource management responsibilities. These responsibilities include drinking water, dam safety, stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, and flood management.
Priority Area 2: Permit Climate Reviews
Review MDE’s water regulatory approval instruments to build resilience to climate change impacts (permits, authorizations, licenses, etc.). The three levels of review noted in the graph refer to increasing degrees of scrutiny. These are described in the document linked below the graph.
Priority Area 3: Green, Blue, and Traditional Infrastructure
Accelerate the scale and pace of implementing green, blue, and traditional infrastructure that build resilience to climate change stresses, mitigate pollution, and enhance natural habitat.
Priority Area 4: Emergency Preparedness
Bolster emergency preparedness and response activities to better avoid, respond to, and reduce impacts of extreme events that are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change.
