Ocean Pines to receive more than $500,000 for drainage improvements

(July 23, 2020) Ocean Pines this week announced the Association will receive $549,000 in state grant money for drainage improvements.  

Funds will come from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a “Shingle Landing Prong Watershed” proposal, sent last year. 

According to DNR, the money will pay for water quality improvements and improved flooding protection by retrofitting Bainbridge Pond, as well as improvements to outfall channels within Ocean Pines and at Windmill Creek. 

The Chesapeake & Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund will pay for the proposal, DNR said.  

“The team started working on this project last summer after looking through studies that were done decades ago on drainage issues,” Ocean Pines Director of Amenities and Operational Logistics Colby Phillips said. 

Phillips said Worcester County Commissioners Jim Bunting and Chip Bertino have both been active on drainage issues in Ocean Pines and helped throughout the process.   

“They both assisted in getting this grant proposal approved for submission to receive funds for our community, as we must go through the county for all grants,” Phillips said. “Bob Mitchell and Bobby Shockley with the county were both huge assets of this team, as were Rich Polk and Eric Jones with Vista design, Board President Doug Parks, Public Works Director Eddie Wells, and Kevin Smith and Steve Farr with MD Coastal Bays. It was a true team effort.   

“Drainage, stormwater runoff and water quality are all huge issues, and I am so excited that we are heading in the right direction to make improvements in Ocean Pines that will not only assist stormwater issues with homeowners, but also the quality of our coastal waters,” Phillips added.  

Bertino also said it was a team effort, and a big win in getting money from the state into Ocean Pines for such a critical issue. 

“I’m very pleased with the result. A lot of hard work went into the process from OPA staff as well as county staff, and the results proved effective,” Bertino said.  

Bunting also credited Worcester County Environmental Programs, and especially the program’s director, Bob Mitchell. 

Wells said Phillips was a big part of orchestrating the entire process. 

“If it had not been for her getting all the parties involved, this would have not happened,” he said.  

Wells said Bunting led a task force that was able to push forward drainage improvements in the early 2000s, but that group had long since dissolved.  

“Her staying on top of this from the beginning to the end was a huge part in making this happen,” he said. “It truly was a team evert and everyone involved deserves a thank you. This is a very good thing for the Association.” 

According to DNR, funds for the improvements should be available during fiscal 2021/2022.