By james art 
Anne Arundel County Executive Stuart Pittman, along with Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Josh Kurtz and local leaders, officially opened the newly restored Jabez Branch Waterway, marking the completion of a key project to improve climate resilience and restoration of the environment. The Jabez Branch Coastal Resilience Project, more than a decade in the making, aims to rehabilitate one of the county’s most degraded streams by addressing both the severe erosion and pollution affecting the Severn River and the broader Chesapeake Bay .
Public-private partnership empowers large-scale environmental restoration
A collaboration between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Resilience Authority, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Severn Riverkeeper brought the project to fruition. The $9.1 million effort includes significant funding from the DNR and nearly $1 million from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, demonstrating the combined investment of local, state and federal resources.
“This project shows what happens when we work together to solve big environmental challenges,” noted County Executive Pittman, emphasizing the need for local sustainability initiatives as climate impacts become more apparent in Anne Arundel County.
Addressing erosion and sediment pollution to improve water quality
Restoration efforts have focused on Reach III of the Jabez Branch, a stretch badly affected by stormwater erosion and sediment build-up that has threatened water quality in the River Severn. Using best management practices such as floodplain reconnection and wetland expansion, the project introduced a system of reefs and basins to stabilize water flow and prevent further downstream movement of sediments and pollutants. The canal was backfilled with natural materials, reconnecting it to the floodplain and expanding the wetlands from 2.6 to over 5 acres.
Secretary Kurtz highlighted the impact of the restoration on water quality, explaining: “This stream was so congested with stormwater that it was dumping noticeable sediment plumes into the greater Severn River. By restoring floodplain connections and expanding wetlands, we’ve created a solution to slow stormwater runoff and reduce pollutants entering the river.”
Increasing local resilience to climate impacts
The Jabez Branch project also aligns with the county’s broader efforts to adapt to climate impacts while providing relief to taxpayers through public-private partnerships. Lisa Rodvien, a county council member, described the project as important for securing climate action on a scale that can compete for state and federal funds, saying, “By creating the Resilience Authority, our goal was to take some of the burden on local taxpayers while investing in the future of our county.”
The project mirrors a model that Anne Arundel County hopes to replicate in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Teresa Sutherland, Chair of the Resilience Authority Board, said: “The Resilience Authority’s mission is to address climate change through efforts that also improve water quality and habitat restoration.”
Looking Ahead: A Model for Chesapeake Bay Restoration
Severn Riverkeeper’s Sara Caldes noted the wider implications of the project: “This reconnection – of water to the catchment – will dramatically slow and spread the flow, forming multiple channels that weave and flow and seep through wetlands.” Her sentiments underscore the potential of the Jabez Branch Project to serve as a model for future restoration initiatives in the Chesapeake region.
The Jabez Branch Coastal Resilience Project represents a significant step toward Anne Arundel County’s climate adaptation and environmental protection goals, demonstrating how collaborative efforts can transform degraded waterways into sustainable ecosystems.
