Cliff Houses

[dan0623_2000]

I can't believe tax money is being used to buy up the houses on the Cliffs of Calvert
SoMdNews.com: Cliff houses, derecho grants approved

[aps45819]

Seems fair since the government won't allow the cliff to be stabilized

[NorthBeachPerso]

I have a small issue with it, too. They all bought those houses knowing the cliffs were in an erosion zone. In fact, when this all started to be a crisis a couple years ago, one of the people even stated that her plan was to sell and get out after 20 years and stick the next buyer with the problem. Mother Nature fooled her.

I also have the same lack of sympathy for people at this end of the County who have bought in flood zones and are now expecting the rest of us in Town to spend $2 or $3 million dollars to stabillize the shoreline, build new breakwaters and construct a protective berm.

[KingFish]

I am glad the Cliff Dwellers are finally getting some help. When they had a chance to do something to protect their property, the thought to be extinct tiger beatle was found in one of the cliffs and the state did not let them do anything to stop cliff erosion.

At least the Feds are helping people in southern maryland for a change. If not, it would be going somewhere else.

[StadEMS3]

I don't think it's fair for us tax payers to pay for this. They had to have known the potential danger of buying a house next to the cliffs. It's not our fault mother nature is erroding the beach. I am sorry they are going to loose thier homes but that's the chance they chose to take. Maybe the insurance companies should institute a mandantory cliff insurance so we don't have to pay for it?

[MarieB]

To me this is one of those instances where you never get all of the information. I found a few articles from several years ago, and they state that the home owner (s) did their due diligence and were not permitted to shore things up do to the beetle. (If you believe that they had advice from engineers). They must have been insured, right?

Then I saw this

These cliffs naturally erode and sooner or later, a lot of these homes are going to be faced with this situation, whether they have tiger beetles or not," said John R. Griffin, secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

From Calvert County cliffside properties, homeowners battle tiger beetle, time

Now, my question is why permits were ever issued for building on this land if a state DNR secretary can emphatically make such a statement? And if something changed, why did they not do something or condemn the property?

I'm sure there is more history, but in the end it is usually difficult to get to the entire truth when these things happen.

[KingFish]

How many people showed up the the commissioners meeting to cry about federal funds being used for this cause?

It is a drop in the bucket compared to other things the Govt throws money at. At least the county gets the land.

[MarieB]

Maybe it's me, but I found the article confusing. What is the total cost to he county?

[SG_Player1974]

Originally Posted by MarieB

Now, my question is why permits were ever issued for building on this land if a state DNR secretary can emphatically make such a statement? And if something changed, why did they not do something or condemn the property?

MONEY! It always comes down to money doesn't it?

No permit.... no building
No building... no taxes!

[KingFish]

From my readings, zero. FEMA pays 75% and homeowners pay 25%. Maryland Emergency Management Agency pays zero.