USACE, MWCOG Join Forces to Address Coastal Flooding

Col. Ed Chamberlayne, USACE Baltimore District commander, yesterday signed an agreement with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) to begin a three-year study on possible ways to address coastal flooding and storm damage across more than 57 square miles in the District of Columbia.

The $3 million agreement, inked at the Baltimore District Headquarters, will also include the surrounding areas of suburban Maryland and northern Virginia.

“As part of this study, we will investigate flood risk and identify ways to help protect vulnerable assets upon which the region relies,” said Chamberlayne.

“We hope the results of this study will aid in the long‐term resilience and sustainability of these coastal communities, and reduce the economic costs and risks to both people and property associated with large‐scale flood and storm events.”

National Capital Planning Commission will serve as a study adviser and will help coordinate federal participation.

The study area includes portions of the District of Columbia; Prince George’s and Charles counties in Maryland; and Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties, and the City of Alexandria in Virginia, all located along the Anacostia and Middle Potomac rivers.

The northern boundary for the study area is Bladensburg along the Anacostia River, and Little Falls along the Potomac River in Maryland. The southern boundary is near Fort Washington along the Potomac River.