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i PROJECT DESCRIPTION In October 1996, a team led by the chief engineers of Allegany County, SHA, and NRCS convened meetings with other government entities and town representatives to brainstorm ways to pool resources, programs, and talents to assist Westernport. After much discussion, the following project goals were agreed upon: 1. remove residents from the floodplain through a voluntary buyout program which adequately compensates and assists with relocation, 2. utilize environmental treatment to restore Georges Creek to a stable form providing its maximum available flow capacity 3. provide for stabilization of Maryland Route 36 4. repair or relocate damaged sanitary sewer line; and 5. manage long term use of the acquired floodplain are community open space Once the scope was defined, the project team began the task of piecing together the estimated $3 million required to complete the project. Funding was made possible through innovative pilot programs developed by SHA and NRCS that redirected funds from normal highway maintenance and stream clearing activities to property acquisition and stream restoration activities. A deadline of June 1997 was established for completion of the project, in order to comply with NRCS program deadlines. Tasks were then allocated based on the specific expertise of each agency. Allegany County provided cash payments and settlement services on acquired properties and designed and supervised sewer repair work. SHA performed property appraisals, design and inspected the highway stabilization work, and lead the stream restoration effort including acquiring the services of stream geomorphologic experts. NRCS assisted with stream design work and contracted for all construction services. In July 1997, as construction work drew to a close, efforts turned toward the issue of long term management of the floodplain buyout area. The Westernport Mayor and Town Council met to discuss options with interested citizens and agency representatives. Town leaders wanted to explore alternatives that would preserve the integrity of the stream restoration while affording citizens some use of the area. In addition, there was interest in involving area residents in decision- making, and in building local support for long-term floodplain open space protection. At the request of the Town, the National Park Service, Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (RICA) joined the planning team to serve as coordinator for the open space planning phase of the project. In September 1997, RTCA began working with the Town to develop recommendations for long term use of the floodplain and adjacent areas. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the project, a Floodplain Park Planning Team was formed that included representatives form the community as well as technical experts in land use planning, recreation, conservation, and floodplain management. Project partners included Allegany County Planning Department, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland Of fice of Planning, NRCS, and the University of Maryland Landscape Architecture Design Studio. A community-based planning approach was used with the goal of integrating the knowledge and expertise of local citizens in terms of community needs, with the teclmical expertise of agency professionals. An on-going dialog between local residents and technical experts developed, which resulted in the formation and adoption of a plan for the site that was both teclmically sound and conformed to the needs of the community. The Planning Team sponsored a series of community meetings, workshops, and public surveys to serve as a forum for citizens to contribute ideas to the planning process. The Planning Team was instrumental in helping the community evaluate options for use of the floodplain buyout area developed through the workshops. In addition, the Planning Team was able to expand the network of partners, and link the town with