Open Positions on the Community Resilience Committee

In the interest of building and sustaining resilience in Oxford, the Commissioners have approved an expanded mandate for the Community Resilience Committee (CRC). As such, Committee membership is also being expanded to better promote a more sustainable and resilient Oxford.

The mission of the CRC is to promote education, policies and activities that help improve resilience and mitigate impacts (economic, cultural, and human suffering) of climate-based and other disruptions likely to affect the citizens of Oxford. Committee membership will encompass multiple areas of resiliency, and may involve public engagement and education; review and coordination of town policies; assisting the Town to prioritize specific actions that build resilience to the impacts of flooding, sea level rise, and other threats; and helping identify sources of funding.

Residents of Oxford who are interested in applying for one of the three (3) open volunteer positions are encouraged to review the new CRC mandate and responsibilities, and the types of skills and qualifications sought. Those include a diverse knowledge base and/or expertise within the following subject areas.

Flooding and Sea Level Rise
Information Technology
Emergency/Disaster Response
Environmental Science
Engineering/Architecture
Business-Oriented and/or Project Management
Economic Development

Interested residents may then submit a letter of interest to the Town Office along with a summary of their professional experience/qualifications.

The Community Resilience Committee mandate and responsibilities, and the types of skills and qualifications sought, can be found at https://oxfordmd.net/oxford-resilience/

John Martin, PE Water Resources Engineer from the MDOT/SHA Office of Highway Development, attended the June 11, 2024 Commissioners Meeting and provided a review of the current and future challenges with the impact of climate change at MD 333 Causeway, and explained his findings and recommendations.

The town is currently investigation Stormwater Management Projects to mitigate stormwater and tidal water flooding issues in several locations in town. Below is the recent presentation (click on picture) provided to the Commissioners at their March 26, 2024 Commissioners Meeting, which can be reviewed in its entirety at https://townhallstreams.com/towns/oxford_md

View the presentation: https://youtu.be/nr2U9zK24io

Click here for the Oxford 2100 Visioning Project, including the resulting “Oxford 2100 Strategic Resilience Plan”

The Town of Oxford is committed to facing future changes with preparation and determination. In order to maintain the necessary forward momentum in the face of Climate Change, Sea Level Rise, and the ever changing Economy, the town has established a Community Resilience Committee to act as keepers of the information and to inform citizens and elected officials over time.

Oxford Community Resilience Committee CRC as initially established in 2022. This committee meets quarterly and times will be posted on the calendar.

Oxford Resilience Update (slide show) as provided in a town meeting on August 10, 2023

OCC video including slide show of the talk:
Town Talk Aug 10 – YouTube

The Oxford CRC was invited to participate in the University of Delaware’s film production on their Coastal Critical Zone Networks research project: Salted Earth

A vast amount of information can be found on the topic of salt water intrusion on the Coastal Critical Zone Network website:

About

Please visit https://coast.noaa.gov/slr/ where you will find a sea level rise viewer you can use to view the potential impact of sea level rise in your area.

The town began initial studies in 2013 regarding Stormwater and Tidal Water Flooding concerns and in 2016 Economic Strategic Planning and has continued to utilize these initial studies for planning and funding initiatives.

Oxford Stormwater and Flood Management Study – 2013

Oxford Historic Commercial District Plan – 2016

Stormwater Management & Shoreline Protection Master Plan – 2016

Oxford Working Waterfront Strategic Plan – 2017

Oxford Sustainable Community 2020 Renewal Report and Action Plan – 2020