On Monday, March 8, 2010, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will partner with the Queen Anne’s County League of Women Voters to host an evening forum to address the growing problem of how coastal flooding and sea level rise are impacting Queen Anne’s County.  The forum will be held at the Kent Island Fire Department on Route 18 in Stevensville, from 7 to 9 pm.

There are significant social and economic impacts of coastal flooding and sea level rise, and both residents and government need to decide how to meet the challenges they present.  The evening will provide information about possible remedies for these impacts through interactive exercises.  The program requires participants to consider options and make decisions about a hypothetical county with flooding problems similar to Queen Anne’s.  Professional facilitators will mediate discussions of a series of actions that coastal communities can take to protect their people, infrastructure, and investments from future risk, and use a scorecard to rank them based on effectiveness and cost.  Participants work with the choices communities face; how to build readiness, adaptability and resilience.  The program will also showcase practical tools, resources and incentives to help affected communities.

There is no cost to attend this forum, but registration is required online at http://qacoastsmart.eventbrite.com or by phone at 410.260.8743.

Please direct any questions about the program to Gwen Shaughnessy at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Chesapeake and Coastal Program at gshaughnessy@dnr.state.md.us or at 410.260.8743 or by calling Gwynne Schultz with the League of Women Voters at 410.643.1433.