§ (32). Storm water courses and flood areas.

(a) Management and control.

To formulate and adopt a plan or plans to control and regulate within Baltimore City such open natural streams, storm and surface water drains, runs and natural storm and surface water drainage courses, public or private, as in its judgment is desirable, and for this purpose to change the course, lines, depth and boundaries of said water courses, in whole or in part; to compel any person or corporation owning property binding on said water courses within Baltimore City to wall up or by other methods to stabilize and maintain such other property insofar as the same may bind the said water courses with a good and sufficient wall, or by other stabilizing methods and to such height as in its judgment the public good may require, so as to secure the same and adjacent property in a reasonable manner from the danger of being inundated with water and to secure the property abutting said water courses from interfering with the flow of drainage water in said water courses; to compel the owner or owners of the land abutting on said water courses to maintain, rebuild and repair any wall or other stabilizing structure, including the banks binding on said water courses, within the limits of Baltimore City, and upon neglect or refusal so to do, the City may cause the same to be done, in which event the City of Baltimore is authorized and empowered to recover the costs thereof by suit at law, which costs shall be a lien on the property of the person or corporation abutting the water course on which said work is done.

(b) Use regulation.

To establish and regulate within Baltimore City the uses of any area or areas of land and future construction thereon adjacent to, abutting on or in proximity to said water courses which are, in its judgment, due to the grade and elevation in relation to the beds of said water courses susceptible to flooding and to control and regulate the use, maintenance, and development, including the grading and filling and future construction within said area.

(c) Scope of authority.

The powers herein granted to the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore shall also apply to said natural water courses that may have been heretofore or may hereafter be relocated, straightened or established within the City of Baltimore.