MAFSM and VFMA hosted a tour of the island on June 4th, 2024 followed by technical presentations related to water quality and water quantity from local subject matter experts. Participants earned 5.5 CECs attending.
Smith Island is a collection of three distinct communities – Tylerton, Rhodes Point, and Ewell, on the Chesapeake Bay, on the border of Maryland and Virginia, and accessible only by boat. Most of the island is eroding due to tidal currents and sea level rise, a study conducted in 2008 by MD DNR reported the island may completely erode by 2100 if no action is taken.
Smith Island Field Tour & Crisfield Technical Sessions
AGENDA
Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2024 (Rain date June 11 with alternate agenda*)
Meet Up Location: Smith Island Cruises/Somers Cove Marina
715 Broadway, Crisfield, MD 21817
Meet up Time: The boat will depart promptly at 8:30 am. Allow enough time to park and board the boat.
8:30 AM Smith Island Tour, Shore Erosion Control Project, Ewell Eddie Somers, Smith Island
Boat to Smith Island with local history and commentary
9:30 AM Walk to Smith Island Cultural Center & Observation Deck in Ewell
9:30 & 10 AM Smith Island Cultural Center Tour. Angeline Marsh, Interim Manager at the Smith Island Cultural Center.
30-minute video followed by 15 minute self-guided tour of museum and observation deck.
10:30 AM The boat will depart for Tylerton for a tour.
11:30 AM Lunch by Drum Point Market and Eatery
Lunches pre-ordered with registration
Pick up lunch and return to boat (eat on route back to Crisfield)
12:30 PM Boat Departs for Crisfield
Boat will leave promptly at 12:30. Once we arrive back in Crisfield, participants will meet at the Crisfield Public Library for the technical presentations
Drive to Crisfield Public Library, 100 Collins St, Crisfield, MD 21817
2:00 PM Smith Island/Somerset County Projects. Mary Phillips, CFM & Woody Barnes, Somerset County
2:30 PM City of Crisfield Flood Mitigation Plan. Anna Johnson, PE, CC-P, Bayland Consultants
3:00 PM Crisfield/FEMA BRIC Technical Assistance. Jennifer Merritt & Darlene Taylor, City of Crisfield
3:30 PM Virginia Beach Sea Level Wise Project. Brian Batten, PhD, CFM Dewberry Engineers
4:00 PM Questions and Open Discussion
4:45 PM Adjourn
Photos from the tour:
IMG_8128 IMG_8116 IMG_8105 
IMG_8090 
MVI_4797 MVI_4688 MVI_4679 MVI_4674 MVI_4673 MVI_4672 
MVI_4668 MVI_4667 MVI_4666 
Photos by Pat Varga, CFM
