Strategic Priorities

1. Improve the Coordination Between City Governmental Departments

  1. Action - provide a forum for various city departments and staff to coordinate environmental efforts and address environmental issues
  2. Action - promote positions on departments staffs dedicated fully or in part to ensure that environmental planning and protection are integrated into capitol improvement and other development projects

2. Increase the Enforcement of Environmental Laws

  1. Action - assist City DPW staff to address new storm water management regulations
  2. Action - assist in the development of creative approaches to improve storm water management and soil and erosion control
  3. Action - assist in the development of communications tools and citizen activities to address water quality issues such as improper disposal of toxic substances, S&E control failures, and nutrient runoff reduction

3. Restore & Enhance the City's Natural Environment

  1. Action - conduct and support GreenScape projects that:
  2. Increase wetland habitat
  3. Restore shoreline vegetation
  4. Beautify the City
  5. Action - conduct and support projects that improve storm water management and the maintenance of existing structures
  6. Action - conduct and support projects that utilize natural processes and bioretention as storm water management solutions
  7. Action - support and participate in an inventory of open space and street trees to identify opportunities for protecting and enhancing the City's green infrastructure
  8. Action - conduct shoreline and shallow water vegetation restoration projects to reduce erosion and return habitats

4. Engage Citizens & Neighborhoods in Watershed Management & Planning Activities

  1. Action - assist in developing and supporting comprehensive watershed management programs in the City's primary watershed areas Weems, College, Spa and Back creeks.
  2. Action - work with community groups and associations to participate in watershed planning and to conduct restoration actions
  3. Action - produce information that can help be a catalyst to building project team and public support

5. Improve Communication With the City Council

  1. Action - develop a set of environmental indicators to communicate the "State of the environment" in Annapolis (model after CBF or another community "quality of life" indicators
  2. Action - establish an annual "Report to the Council" (accompanied by an oral report to the members) that states accomplishments, accounts for financial expenditures and communicates top issues for consideration by the Council