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Neal Estate petition asks Calvert County to form shore erosion control district; board leaves record open
Summary
Calvert Soil Conservation District and Neal Estate residents proposed a Shore Erosion Control District to fund breakwaters and living‑shoreline work; project estimated at $791,713 to be repaid by a 20‑year DNR loan and a levy on 118 dwellings. The board left the record open through July 31 and will consider the petition on August 4.
Representatives from the Calvert Soil Conservation District presented a petition from the Neal Estate Citizens Association asking the Board of County Commissioners to establish a Shore Erosion Control District (SECD) to fund shoreline protection work.
Jason Levitt of the Calvert Soil Conservation District said the Maryland Department of Natural Resources prepared a feasibility report recommending the SECD and specific living‑shoreline measures including headland breakwaters, clean sand fill and marsh grass plantings. Levitt said the report identified 118 residential dwellings within the proposed district and estimated total project construction and administrative costs at $791,713 (about $768,653 in construction plus a $23,060 DNR administrative fee). The plan, Levitt said, anticipates funding via a 20‑year 0% DNR loan to the county with repayment supported by a proposed district levy of about $335.47 annually per assessed residence.
NECA representatives described recent storm damage and shoreline loss they say affected the community and urged board action. Commissioners questioned petition participation and learned NECA reported roughly an 83% signature rate for the neighborhood petition, exceeding the statute’s 75% threshold for a petition to proceed.
After public discussion, the board directed staff to leave the record open until July 31 to receive additional comments and requested staff return on August 4 for a board decision whether to approve or deny the petition.
The county will act as local government borrower and fiscal administrator subject to final state and county processes; staff said no direct general‑fund repayment cost is anticipated. The board took no final vote on July 21; a decision is scheduled for the August 4 meeting.
