FEMA grants city $1.7 million for flood mitigation project

CAMBRIDGE — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded the City of Cambridge $1.7 million for a flood mitigation project along the shore of the Choptank River.

According to a news release from the city, the "Make Cambridge Resilient Flood Mitigation Project" will stretch from west of city limits, near Gerry Boyle Park at Great Marsh, to the mouth of Cambridge Creek.

The project will create a flood barrier along the river that is integrated with a nature-based living shoreline. Along with the living shoreline, a stormwater management system will be put in place to reduce flood risk, according to the news release.

The project will have two phases: design and permitting, and construction. The first phase, which scientists from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science at Horn Point will assist with, will include gathering and analyzing data, completing a detailed design and obtaining the permitting needed for construction.

The week of June 3, field surveyors began conducting a hydrographic survey by boat to measure tidal information and other physical features along the shore of the Choptank.

Along with the $1.7 million awarded for the first phase of the project, FEMA is reserving $16 million for the second phase of the project, the news release states. The total $17.7 million in grant money is being awarded through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant.

The city is committing 10.5% of funds for both phases of the project through a grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Resilient Maryland Revolving Loan Fund and city budget funds.

"The City of Cambridge is committed to the 'Make Cambridge Resilient Initiative' and views this project as a major step forward," the press release states.

In terms of timeline, phase one of the project will extend through 2025. Public outreach will be scheduled throughout the first phase of the project, according to the news release. It says the city will directly coordinate with affected property owners for concerns and property assessment.