Town of Emmitsburg

In 2018, Emmitsburg was issued a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit by the Maryland Department of the Environment to manage stormwater runoff. This requires the implementation of six minimum control measures, as well as treating stormwater from 20% of the Town’s impervious surfaces through best management practices (BMPs). The permitting cycle is continuous and permanent. After this permit term (2018-2023), new permits will be issued every five years. This is an expensive unfunded mandate, and it is estimated that the impervious surface restoration requirement alone will cost the Town over $700,000 during this permitting cycle. Since the permit will continue indefinitely, the Town is considering ways to fund future MS4 projects. Emmitsburg has formed a Stormwater Advisory Committee and the Board of Commissioners has engaged the University of Maryland’s Environmental Finance Center (EFC) to conduct a stormwater financing feasibility study. Through a series of four public meetings, EFC will present the Advisory Committee with information about potential financing options to help determine the most equitable way to fund the Town's stormwater program.