Local Government

Town of Hebron

Stormwater Master Plan

On average, the Town of Hebron receives 45 inches of rain per year – an amount higher than the national average of 38 inches. The town experiences intermittent regular flooding during rain events due to their flat topography and inadequacy of outfall. Through our grant writing services, RAUCH inc. successfully obtained $55,000 in funding from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the town to develop a Stormwater Management Master Plan.

The master plan, Ih was completed In 2019, includes an evaluation of existing conditions, analyses of data for future conditions, and conceptual designs for the most effective solutions. Engineering and land management practices were identified to abate soil erosion, improve water quality, and mitigate flood risks. We also evaluated the use of small, cost-effective Best Management Practices and nature-based solutions such swales, detention and retention ponds, green roofs, rain gardens, and cisterns. Green Environmental Site Design (ESD) recommendations were identified for areas of inadequate drainage. We also provided the town with calculations of anticipated pollution reductions. All options were ranked in order of high, medium, and low priority.

To prepare the master plan, our field work and data analysis included surveying stormwater outfalls and flooding areas, recommending design changes, identifying targeted retrofits, and developing new design elements. Areas where combination elements of new elements and retrofits could be used along with low impact design (LID) solution options were also identified.

The Stormwater Management Master Plan is being used as a case study in DNR’s recently released 2023 Community Guide to Assessing Non-Tidal Flood Impacts in Maryland.

Following completion of the study, RAUCH inc. assisted the Town of Hebron with an application for grant funding from the Maryland Department of the Environment’s Comprehensive Flood Management Grant Program. MDE has awarded the Town $1.659M for project implementation which will begin in summer 2024.

Water Treatment Plant Redundancy Project

RAUCH inc. provided the Town of Hebron with engineering, survey, and grant writing services for their water system redundancy and improvements project.

Our design supports construction of a new 300,000-gallon potable water storage facility to be used with the existing water tower. A new well and water disinfection system are proposed. A disinfected water source pumped directly to the tower will ensure a safe water source with consistent quality. Preliminary hydrology and other investigations were conducted to ensure the design will create redundancy in the current system.

A new treatment plant will replace outdated controls, be housed on site, and tie-in to the newly proposed well to create synergies between the systems. The new treatment plant will provide a more efficient and higher quality method of water treatment compared to the existing operation of direct chlorine injection into a standpipe.

As part of our scope of work, we evaluated locations for the best service connections to existing mains, assisted with easements and fee simple property conveyances for entrances and accesses, and created survey plats for permitting purposes. We are also assisting the Town with approvals from Wicomico County Planning and Zoning Department and approval for an amendment to the Wicomico County Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan.

We also worked with the Town to submit a grant to fund the project. The Maryland Department of the Environment gave preliminary approval for a grant of $3.8M.

Renewable Energy Project Review

RAUCH inc. recently provided review services to the Town of Hebron for the proposed Porter Mill Solar project. The project consists of 45.8 MW solar located on two parcels in Hebron totaling 398.94 acres.

The two parcels include agricultural fields and forested areas in the Town’s residential and commercial zoning districts.

Our services have included review of the project concept plan, stormwater management compliance, soil erosion and sediment control plans, water, sewer, and Town right-of-way impacts.

RAUCH inc. will also conduct a zoning ordinance review to help ensure that the project conforms with the Town’s ordinances. This includes reviewing and confirming setbacks, landscape, and parking requirements.