Page 30 - Port of Baltimore - December 2021

PORT VIEW 1977 | CHESAPEAKE BAY
BY TINA IRGANG LEADERMAN
Climate Change Means Less Ice, But Higher Sea Levels
This image shows U.S. Coast Guard vessels working to break ice near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, following a severe winter
storm in 1977. Ice breaking continues to be one of the Coast Guard’s most important missions in ensuring the viability of maritime
commerce in all weathers.
Today, as a result of climate change, severe storms and
their impact on global shipping are a growing concern. At
the same time, the maritime industry is contending with sea-level rise caused by climate change. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the levels in the Chesapeake Bay are rising at a faster rate than sea levels elsewhere, because the surrounding land is sinking as a result of a process known
as subsidence. Bay waters are predicted to rise anywhere between 1.3 and 5.2 feet over the next 100 years.
The Port of Baltimore is doing its part to mitigate the effects of climate change. In 2020, the Maryland Department
of Transportation Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA) received a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, which will support its Resiliency and Flood Mitigation Improvements project. The project includes deployment of berth and landside sea curbs, installing storm drain backflow preventers and constructing a box culvert/ water storage structure to prevent flooding caused by storm surge and microburst storms. It also entails reconstructing berths at Dundalk Marine Terminal to include an integrated concrete sea curb along the face of the wharf, with a top curb elevation of 10 feet.
MDOT MPA is an active participant in the Maryland Commission on Climate Change and works closely with MDOT, the Maryland Department of the Environment, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the University of Maryland and other partners to identify opportunities to proactively plan ahead and implement preventive measures to mitigate climate change impacts. 􏰀
The display image above is provided by The Baltimore Museum of Industry. Visit the museum for exhibitions and collections that document the lives of the workers who helped to propel this city to greatness. thebmi.org
[28] The Port of Baltimore ■ December 2021