Chesapeake Bay News

The following message from VMRC should be of interest to anyone that is in favor of restoring the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

We’re looking to form a flotilla one morning next month for an hour.

John M.R. Bull
Director of Public Relations
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
(757) 247-2269

Saturday, Aug. 23 is Natural Resources Day at the Maryland State Fair TIMONIUM, MD. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will offer interactive exhibits at the Maryland State Fair in Timonium from Friday, Aug. 22 through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1 at a new exhibit area. DNR’s exhibit showcasing sustainable ideas that citizens implement at home and work will be on the second floor of the new Maryland State Fair building along with the State Fair museum next to the 4-H Home Arts facility.

“I hope that people will stop by DNR’s new state fair exhibit to learn about what we can do to help them protect our environment,” said DNR Secretary John R. Griffin. “We invite fair goers to experience a virtual journey through the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and learn how they can help us protect, restore, appreciate and enjoy in Maryland’s great outdoors.”

The Chesapeake Bay is home to more than 400,000 acres of land, thousands of miles of streams, multitudes of fish, mammals, birds and reptiles and the biggest estuary in North America. At DNR’s interactive exhibit area, participants can learn about Chesapeake Bay Restoration efforts including oysters, bay grasses and nutrient reduction. Many of the necessary, sometimes slimy but always fun things found in the Bay and its tributaries will be on hand for a totally interactive, up-close-and-personal experience. Touch and feel everything from bay grasses to turtles and snakes.

For more information about DNR’s exhibits, presentations and activities at the State Fair look for DNR’s entire State Fair schedule on our Web site at www.dnr.maryland.gov/statefair/ or call 1-877-620-8DNR x-8006.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources welcomes Mirant Potomac River Generating Station’s continued partnership for an Atlantic sturgeon restoration project for the Potomac River. As part of the renewed partnership, Mirant will provide up to $325,000 over the next five years to support restoration activities of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus), the only large bottom feeders present in the Chesapeake Bay.

“Atlantic sturgeon existed historically along the entire Atlantic coast and at one time, played an important ecological role in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “Mirant’s funding and continued support of this fishery restoration project offers hope that the once abundant sturgeon can grow and prosper in its natural habitat again in the future.”

Overfishing, degraded water quality and man-made stream blockages drastically reduced the Atlantic sturgeon’s population. By 1928, sturgeon were rarely caught north of the Potomac River. Research by the USFWS-Maryland Fishery Resources Office concluded in 2004 that Atlantic sturgeon restoration in Maryland would not likely occur without hatchery supplementation.

“We are so proud of our successful partnership with DNR, and we believe wholeheartedly that these mutually beneficial partnerships are an important component of all Maryland’s fish restoration efforts,” said Misty Allen, External Affairs Manager at Mirant Mid-Atlantic LLC. “We recently expressed our steadfast commitment to the project for the next five years to continue sturgeon restoration.”

DNR and Mirant first began a pilot culture trial on the Potomac River in the summer of 2006. Positive findings from the effort led to larger scale culture trial in 2007. Mirant Mid-Atlantic LLC provided funding for manpower, materials, culture space and water supply, while DNR designed and constructed the research facility.

“The overarching aim of our restoration project is to culture a healthy, captive brood stock of genetically diverse sturgeon adults that will provide larvae and juvenile fish for restoration stocking,” explained Brian Richardson, DNR Fisheries Restoration Manager.

The facility will also serve as an education and outreach tool since it is included on plant tours.

source: DNR press release

Toxic Algae Bloom Identified in POTOMAC RIVER TRIBUTARY, MATTAWOMAN CREEK

Dept. of Natural Resources Asks Potomac Watershed Residents For Help to Prevent Future Harmful Algal Blooms

Routine water quality monitoring by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Morgan State University Estuarine Research Center recently identified high concentrations of toxic blue-green algae, Microcystis, in Mattawoman Creek off of the Potomac River.

“Excessive nutrient pollution in the water fuels these algal blooms, which are not uncommon in the freshwater and low salinity waters of the Potomac River.  Harmful algal blooms such as these can be prevented if more people living in the Potomac River watershed take steps to reduce run-off pollution,” said Tom Parham, DNR tidewater ecosystem assessment director. “Some easy and affordable backyard solutions include planting native trees and rain gardens, using rain barrels, and refraining from fertilizing in the spring.”

After learning of algal toxin levels higher than typical acceptable standards for human and animal contact in water samples from Mattawoman Creek, Charles County issued a health advisory for the area encouraging people to take precautions to reduce the risk of illness or discomfort related to blue-green algal blooms:

* The public should not swim in areas where a blue-green algae bloom is evident.

* Do not drink water from any area with the appearance of a blue-green algae bloom.

* If contact is made with problem water, simply wash off with fresh water.

* In some cases, skin irritations may occur after prolonged contact. If irritations persist, see a physician or local health care provider.

* Keep pets and livestock away from bloom areas.

* Blue-green algal blooms may contain toxins that could be harmful or fatal to pets and livestock.

* Do not eat internal organs of fish caught in blue-green bloom waters.

* Inhalation exposure to blue-green algal bloom waters may result in irritation of the eyes, ears, nose and throat with extended recreational activity on such waterways.

Please note that illness associated with harmful algal blooms is a reportable illness and physicians should be reporting these to local health departments.

“We will continue to monitor the algal bloom,” added Parham.

For up to date information on all of Maryland’s harmful algal blooms and water quality, please visit DNR’s Eyes on the Bay website at www.eyesonthebay.net.

At the 10th Annual Clean Marina Awards Ceremony held at Clark’s Landing Shady Oaks Marina in southern Anne Arundel County, ten marinas received Governor’s Citations praising their accomplishment of becoming a certified clean marina.  The award ceremony was timed to coordinate with National Marina Day, August 9 to recognize marinas as family friendly gateways to boating and stewards of the environment.

“The voluntary efforts of clean marina owners and managers to reduce pollution and help protect our rivers and the Chesapeake Bay are truly commendable,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “The bay-friendly operations offered by each of these local businesses exemplify the role we all play to preserving this natural treasure.  Action is needed across the State to ensure healthy water and land, and these marinas are to be commended for doing their part.”

Marinas are certified by DNR as a Maryland Clean Marina after they adopt recommendations in the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook and pass a site inspection by DNR and industry representatives.

“Our livelihood – boating – depends on a healthy Chesapeake Bay,” said Bob Brandon, Owner of Tidewater Yacht Service Center in Baltimore City. “We have to do all that we can to preserve the bay to ensure continued quality boating experiences for today and tomorrow. From the beginning construction of our facility – we strived to build an environmentally-friendly boating center.”

The newly certified clean marina Tidewater Yacht Service Center incorporates many green building features and operations including a living green roof; environmentally-friendly products for sale; and a special water drainage system in the parking lot to prevent run-off from polluting the bay.

Since its establishment in 1997, the Maryland Clean Marina Initiative has certified 130 marinas. The initiative, coordinated in partnership with the Marine Trades Association of Maryland, promotes voluntary adoption of pollution prevention measures.

The following ten newly certified Clean Marinas received Governor’s Citations today:

Anchor Yacht Basin, Edgewater (Anne Arundel County)
Atlantic Marina, Pasadena (Anne Arundel County)
Baltimore Marine Center, Baltimore City
Buzz’s Marina, Ridge (St. Mary’s County)
Cedar Hill Marina, Bivalve (Wicomico County)
Chesapeake Yacht Club, Shady Side (Anne Arundel County)
Clark’s Landing , West River (Anne Arundel County)
Riverside Marine, Baltimore (Baltimore County)
Tidewater Yacht Service Center, Baltimore City

A tour of the Clark’s Landing Shady Oaks Marina following the ceremony showcased some of the best management practices implemented to become a clean marina including: oil filter recycling; an emergency spill response kit; a sewage pump-out station; a waste management plan for chemicals; and native plantings.

“The Clean Marina Initiative is a great sustainable business effort that benefits the health of our environment, waterways, and local business,” said Jeff Truesdale, Managing Partner at Clark’s Landing. “We are honored that all of Clark’s Landing waterfront facilities in Maryland are certified clean marinas.  Each of our employees are specially trained to encourage our boaters to use clean boating practices.”

With more than 25 years of experience, Clark’s Landing is proving to be a sustainable leader in the marine industry by encouraging boaters and sailors to commit to clean boating habits. Clark’s Landing has locations in Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey offering new and certified pre-owned boat sales, service, storage, parts and boat brokerage.

A complete list of certified Clean Marinas and program information can be found at www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating.

BPW also Approves Conservation of More Than 323 Acres Near Blackwater Wildlife National Management Area

Governor Martin O’Malley announced Board of Public Works approval of the purchase of the historic Nanticoke Inn in Vienna, which will become a waterfront visitor’s center for the John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.

The Captain John Smith National Historic Trail commemorates the explorations of Captain Smith on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in 1607-1609. It is the first national water trail in the United States and a key part of a long-term strategy to ensure stewardship of the Nanticoke River involving Maryland, Delaware, and federal, local, and non-profit organizations.

“Working together, we are taking steps to ensure protection of the natural and cultural legacy of this beautiful river, which remains in places very similar to how it appeared 400 years ago when Captain Smith first explored it,” Governor O’Malley said. “The visitor’s center will be a handsome entry point to this important recreational resource in Vienna, one of the oldest settlements in Maryland and a town once known as the Pearl of the Nanticoke.”

“The Nanticoke River is a premier component of the newly established Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. The board’s decision today will create valuable public access,” said Charles Stek, chairman of Friends of the John Smith Chesapeake Trail.

The board approved the $550,000 acquisition through State Program Open Space (POS).

“We commend the board for its action. The board’s decision takes a big step toward our goal of revitalizing our downtown and completing our Greenbelt Plan,” Vienna Mayor Russell B. Brinsfield said.

In June, the BPW approved acquisition of more than 275 acres that will be used to establish a greenbelt around the western and southern borders of Vienna, ensuring the town will continue to be surrounded by farms, forests and natural wildlife habitat as outlined in its comprehensive plan.

The Vienna Greenbelt was one of the first projects rated under Maryland’s new Program Open Space Stateside Targeting System. The ecologically based targeting approach was developed last year under Governor O’Malley’s BayStat Initiative to ensure the state is protecting the most strategically important landscapes to provide a lasting legacy for future generations.

The board also approved acquisition of more than 323 acres near the Blackwater Wildlife National Management Area from the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy for more than $2.8 million.

Consisting of 218 acres of forests and forested non-tidal wetlands, the property also is a high priority conservation acquisition under the Program Open Space Stateside Targeting System.

Since 2007, Governor O’Malley and the BPW have preserved more than 3,305 acres of natural areas for public recreation and watershed and wildlife protection across Maryland. Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for acquisition of 324,125 acres for open space and recreation areas. Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded Program Open Space.

source: DNR press release

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Welcomes Public Comments through Aug. 20 on Proposal

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites public comments on the recently proposed 2008-2009 late waterfowl hunting seasons.

“We are pleased to offer a variety of waterfowl hunting opportunities and continue the great tradition of wildfowling in the Chesapeake area,” said Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul A. Peditto. “Hunters will note several changes to the proposed waterfowl seasons this year. We look forward to public input on the proposals that ensure sustained waterfowl populations while allowing for use of this treasured natural resource.”

The proposed 2008-2009 duck season will be a 60-day season with a 6-duck daily bag limit. Species bag limits are based upon population status and spring breeding habitat and summer brood rearing conditions. This year, waterfowl managers proposed increasing the daily bag limit of wood ducks to three per day. A recent review of the biological data for this species indicates that the wood duck population can sustain some additional harvest pressure.

Conversely, the daily bag limit of scaup has been reduced to ensure harvest is compatible with population status. Although, scaup remain abundant, the population of lesser scaup has undergone a gradual decline as a result of several environmental factors that have contributed to lower survival and recruitment. The recently adopted scaup harvest strategy calls for a restrictive season in 2008, with a 1 scaup bag limit for 40 days of the 60-day regular duck season, and a 2 scaup limit during the remaining 20 days of the season.

There will be no open season on canvasback this year. The 2008 canvasback breeding population estimate decreased 44% from 2007, primarily the result of a 39% decline in pond numbers in Prairie Canada. Dry conditions exist throughout much of Prairie Canada and the north central U.S., thus the outlook for canvasback production is poor.

The 2008 spring breeding pair survey of Atlantic Population (migrant) Canada geese totaled 169,700 compared to 195,700 in 2007. Although the number of breeding pairs decreased, spring snow melt was normal over most of the major Atlantic Population (AP) breeding range. Favorable nesting conditions led to a strong nesting effort, and as a result, gosling production is expected to be good. The Atlantic Population Canada goose season will remain at 45 days with a daily bag limit of two geese.

The 2008-2009 proposed waterfowl hunting regulations also include changes to the regular Atlantic Flyway Resident Canada (AFRP) goose season. The season length for the AFRP Canada geese has been increased from 70 to 80 days and the closing federal framework date has been extended to March 10 to exert greater harvest pressure on this overabundant goose population. The proposed AFRP Canada goose season dates are Nov. 15 to Nov. 28 and Dec. 16 to Mar. 4. The daily bag limit is 5 geese per day. The AFRP Canada Goose Hunt Zone has also been modified to afford additional protection to migrant AP geese. Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Howard Counties, and a portion of Carroll County will now be a part of the AP Hunt Zone.

Following a high mid-winter survey count of 161,000 Atlantic brant along the east coast, the proposed 2008 hunting regulations for Atlantic brant also have been liberalized to allow a 60-day season and a 3-bird daily bag limit.

For a table that lists all the proposed Maryland 2008-2009 late waterfowl hunting season dates and bag limits visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/lwfchart.asp.

Public comments about the proposed waterfowl hunting season dates and bag limits may be submitted online at www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/lwfforum.asp, via fax at 410-260-8596, or over the phone by calling 410-260-8540.

On Monday, August 18, at 7 p.m., DNR will hold a public meeting to collect comments on the proposed regulations at Chesapeake College’s Amphitheater (Room H117) in the Kent Humanities Building in Wye Mills. Directions to the meeting are below.

FROM ANNAPOLIS AND POINTS WEST

Take Route 50 East to the traffic light at the intersection of Routes 50 and 213, and turn right on Route 213. The Chesapeake College entrance is on the right. Park in Lot E.

FROM SALISBURY AND POINTS EAST

Take Route 50 West to the traffic light at the intersection of Routes 50 and 213, and turn left on Route 213. The Chesapeake College entrance is on the right. Park in Lot E.

source: DNR press release

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites Somerset County residents and property owners to learn about living shorelines as an environmentally-friendly soil erosion protection solution during a workshop on Saturday, Aug. 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free workshop and lunch will be held at the Crisfield Heritage Foundation Historical Museum’s Chesapeake Room, located at 3 Ninth Street in Crisfield.

“Natural, living shorelines are vital not only to the Chesapeake Bay’s health but also provide property owners with additional flood protection,” said Frank Dawson, Department of Natural Resources Assistant Secretary for Aquatic Resources. “With development pressure increasing, it is critical – now more than ever – that waterfront property owners help protect and restore our treasured bay.”

Some of the numerous environmental and economic benefits of living shorelines include: restoration of wildlife habitat and spawning areas; establishing a marsh area where property owners can enjoy canoeing, fishing, and swimming from; and increasing property values.

Workshop participants will learn about permitting, site designs, contractor hiring, and native plant success, as well has visit a local living shoreline project.

To register for the free workshop, email dbell@dnr.state.md.us or call 410-260-8732.