MEDIA ADVISORY

Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

CONTACT: Nancy Poss, Public Information Officer, 301-360-3842
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, March 18, 2004

Thursday, March 18, 2004

A Survey Team under contract with The City of Frederick recently set permanent elevation reference marks along streams, and is now measuring stream cross sections and verifying the measurements of bridges and culverts. This work is for the modernization of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Frederick County.

The permanent reference marks are concrete posts with a stamped bronze disc set flush with the ground. Flexible orange “witness posts” 3 feet high mark the locations of the reference marks. These reference marks and witness posts should not be disturbed. They are intended for floodplain management and will be an important addition to the City’s horizontal and vertical control system. Locations and elevations of the reference marks will be available from the City Surveyor after the Survey Team completes its work.

The Survey Team is composed of specially trained Surveyors from Harned Surveying and Engineering, Inc., known as HSE, from Louisville, Kentucky and from Alexandria Surveys International, LLC, known as ASI, from Alexandria, Virginia. Generally, the vehicles they use are 4-wheel drive Suburbans and a white pickup truck. This professional Team has also been awarded a contract from FEMA’s mapping contractor for the same type of work throughout the County.

The Survey Team began work in late October 2003 and expects to finish their work in the field in two weeks. The City is regularly monitoring their progress. During this time, the Survey Crews will be seen working along Shookstown Creek, Tuscarora Creek, Little Tuscarora Creek, Two Mile Run, City Run (Maryvale Ditch), and Park Run from Fredericktowne Village up West 9th Street. They are using satellite and conventional surveying equipment to establish permanent reference marks and gather data for flood plain studies.

The stream survey is part of The City's Cooperating Technical Partnership Agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Also included in the scope of the Partnership Agreement is aerial mapping of the City. The aerial mapping is complete and consists of 206 digital color orthophoto panels with contours at 2-foot intervals that may be superimposed on the orthophotos.

The aerial mapping, reference marks, and modernized Flood Insurance Rate Maps will be a lasting benefit to the citizens of the City. If you are in need of topographic data or imagery of your property, you may wish to contact the office of the City Engineer.

For more information, please contact:

Richard C. Lind, P.E. Project Manager, Assistant City Engineer (301)600-1767

Wilmer O. Lankford, Prop.L.S. City Surveyor (301) 600-1458