EPA Research Partner Support Story: Chesapeake Bay Solutions-Driven Research Project
Partner: City of Crisfield (MD), Maryland Park Program, Chesapeake Bay Program
Challenge: Flooding, storm surges and erosion
Resource: Chesapeake Bay Solutions-Driven Research Project
Project Period: 2022 – Present
Since the founding of Crisfield, Maryland on Chesapeake Bay, the environment has been an important part of community life, economy and culture. As storm surges, flooding and erosion increase in frequency and intensity, all three are threatened. City officials and residents are looking for cost-effective solutions to protect against infrastructure and property damage, preserve their culture, and sustain their seafood, recreation and tourism industries.
"With two years of sustained presence and hands-on support, EPA’s Office of Research and Development has become a trusted partner in Crisfield, a rural coastal town facing serious flood risks. Their collaboration has helped our community explore nature-based solutions like marsh restoration and living shorelines. Through the Crisfield Resilience Academy, they’ve made complex science understandable and actionable, ensuring both the City of Crisfield and the community have the knowledge to drive a stronger, locally-led resilience plan. Thanks to EPA ORD’s support, we’re not just planning for the future—we’re building it.” ‒ City of Crisfield Grant Administrator Jen Merritt
In 2022, EPA researchers initiated the Chesapeake Bay Solutions-Driven Research Project to explore the potential for natural infrastructure projects to reduce damage from flooding in Crisfield. They identified nature-based strategies such as marsh restoration, living breakwaters and artificial oyster reefs to protect against storm surges and flooding. These solutions also come with a host of other benefits to Crisfield’s tourism and recreation industries, which are vital to the community’s culture and economic sustainability. Implementing these solutions requires extensive community engagement and collaboration with local, state and federal agency partners to maximize local benefit and ensure that explored solutions align with local goals.
In response to this need and at the direct request of local officials, the Crisfield Resilience Academy began offering sessions in Fall 2024 for community members to discuss their experiences as residents and learn from local experts about topics such as coastal flooding, ditch drainage systems, and flood warning systems. The City of Crisfield recommended these topics in response to community interest. Using a process called co-production, the Crisfield Resilience Academy worked with local representatives to integrate scientific information with local and other types of nonscientific knowledge. EPA researchers and other partners organized and strengthened the Academy by providing interactive activities, local expertise, and hosting the in-person Academy sessions in Crisfield. Local partners included the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland State Parks, Maryland Sea Grant, the National Weather Service, multiple area universities, and EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program Office.
If implemented correctly, nature-based strategies have the capacity to mitigate storm surges and flooding while supporting the culture and industries of Crisfield. The Crisfield Resilience Academy and its partners provide a vital connection to the community to help them achieve that. By working with local, state, and federal agency partners, EPA researchers can ensure that their work is meeting the needs of Crisfield residents and providing the tools they need to implement the most cost-effective nature-based strategies.
As the Crisfield Resilience Academy participants, the EPA, and all associated partners continue to co-produce ideas and research these solutions, EPA researchers post research project updates to ensure transparency and public benefit. This research co-production and education framework is an effective resilience plan for rural, coastal communities across the United States prone to flooding.
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