Chesapeake Bay News

In response to recommendations of the majority of the members of Maryland’s Mute Swan Task Force, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will continue to reduce the Chesapeake Bay’s population of non-native mute swans.  Because of the State’s successful control efforts, there are far fewer mute swans in Maryland today than there were a few years ago; about 500 remain of a population that had reached nearly 4,000 a decade ago.

In the spring of 2009, DNR convened a group of environmentalists, scientists, animal advocates, and other stakeholders to revisit the Mute Swan Plan and develop a recommendation for how Maryland should proceed.  That group split over the issue of lethal control of adult mute swans and presented two contrasting reports. One report, from two animal rights members, advocated maintaining a population of mute swans in the Chesapeake Bay.  The report from the other 10 members, including scientists, conservationists, and State and Federal agency representatives, argued for the continued reduction of mute swans.  Both reports may be viewed at: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/MS2009_Report.html

“While the swans may be beautiful, they continue to pose a serious threat to the Chesapeake Bay and its native wildlife, and non-lethal controls have proven insufficient for reducing the population,” said DNR Secretary Griffin. “For these reasons, we are unfortunately compelled to continue Maryland’s mute swan control efforts, through both non-lethal and lethal means.”

“After reviewing the reports and considering the best advice of my staff and the scientific and environmental communities, I have found the case for continued controls ecologically crucial and in alignment with both the 2000 Chesapeake Bay Agreement invasive species control plans and Maryland State law,” the Secretary added.

Jonathan McKnight, the Maryland DNR Biologist who coordinated the Mute Swan Advisory Committee said, “There is a solid body of scientific literature demonstrating that this species — like the nutria, a marsh rodent from South America — causes harm to native species and the Chesapeake ecosystem.”

Environmentalists and conservation groups praised the decision, which the animal rights groups PETA and the Humane Society of the United States had lobbied against.

“We support the DNR in making this difficult decision”, said Kim Coble, Maryland Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. “It’s controversial, but it’s the right thing to do to protect important Chesapeake Bay resources.”

The Maryland Ornithological Society, which has supported mute swan control because of the tendency of mute swans to drive declining native birds from their nesting grounds, was also pleased.

“This was clearly the right call for the resource and I’m impressed that DNR moved quickly to make this decision,” said MOS President Dr. Wayne Bell. “Maryland has achieved an unparalleled 80 percent reduction in the population of this invasive species, so to stop now would have made little sense.”

Mute swans are native to Europe and Asia.  Maryland’s population of mute swans originated when five birds escaped from captivity in Talbot County in 1962. Currently, about 500 mute swans remain in the Bay and its tributaries.  They are now established in all major tributaries to the Maryland portion of Chesapeake Bay. Mute swans have caused adverse ecological impacts by driving out nesting native waterfowl and the removal of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) during the summer, fall and spring when SAV are reproducing; and the destruction of SAV restoration and replanting sites.

Mute swans are one of six species identified in the Chesapeake Bay Agreement as priority invasive species that threaten the Chesapeake ecosystem.

A unified command is continuing clean up and recovery efforts to a pollution spill in Tony Tank Creek in Salisbury Maryland.

Salisbury University reported a mechanical failure in their generator system causing a loss of approximately 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel from a fuel tank.

Between 500 and 600 gallons of diesel fuel have been recovered from the creek since last night.

More than 1,000 feet of containment boom has been placed between the Camden Avenue Bridge and the Riverside Drive Bridge to contain the spill.

“This operation is a fine example of our partnership among federal, state and local agencies along with the private sector,” said Cmdr. Austin Gould, the acting sector commander of Coast Guard Sector Baltimore. “Together, we’re working to eliminate an environmental threat to the Chesapeake Bay.”

“The university appreciates these agencies’ support and leadership that have minimized the impact of this spill on the university, the community and our shared watershed,” said Dr. Tom Jones, provost at Salisbury University.

Wicomico County Emergency Management responded to a report of a strong fuel odor near Tony Tank Creek Wednesday night.

Wicomico County Emergency Management contacted the National Response Center reporting diesel fuel in the water about 8:42 p.m. Wednesday. NRC notified Coast Guard Sector Baltimore personnel of the spill. Investigators from Sector Baltimore arrived on scene about 12:50 a.m. Thursday. The Coast Guard confirmed Salisbury University as the source of the spill and had the spill secured by 1:15 a.m. The diesel fuel is believed to have leaked from a fuel tank on the roof of the Henson Science Hall on campus.Unified Command Continues Recovery Efforts in Salisbury

A unified command is continuing clean up and recovery efforts to a pollution spill in Tony Tank Creek in Salisbury Maryland.

Salisbury University reported a mechanical failure in their generator system causing a loss of approximately 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel from a fuel tank.

Between 500 and 600 gallons of diesel fuel have been recovered from the creek since last night. More than 1,000 feet of containment boom has been placed between the Camden Avenue Bridge and the Riverside Drive Bridge to contain the spill.

“This operation is a fine example of our partnership among federal, state and local agencies along with the private sector,” said Cmdr. Austin Gould, the acting sector commander of Coast Guard Sector Baltimore. “Together, we’re working to eliminate an environmental threat to the Chesapeake Bay.”

“The university appreciates these agencies’ support and leadership that have minimized the impact of this spill on the university, the community and our shared watershed,” said Dr. Tom Jones, provost at Salisbury University.

Wicomico County Emergency Management responded to a report of a strong fuel odor near Tony Tank Creek Wednesday night.

Wicomico County Emergency Management contacted the National Response Center reporting diesel fuel in the water about 8:42 p.m. Wednesday. NRC notified Coast Guard Sector Baltimore personnel of the spill. Investigators from Sector Baltimore arrived on scene about 12:50 a.m. Thursday. The Coast Guard confirmed Salisbury University as the source of the spill and had the spill secured by 1:15 a.m. The diesel fuel is believed to have leaked from a fuel tank on the roof of the Henson Science Hall on campus.

A unified command has been established with the Coast Guard and representatives from Salisbury University, Maryland Department of the Environment, Salisbury City Fire Department and Wicomico County Emergency Management.

To report further fuel sheen or wildlife affected by the spill, contact the Coast Guard Command Center at (410) 576-2525.

A unified command has been established with the Coast Guard and representatives from Salisbury University, Maryland Department of the Environment, Salisbury City Fire Department and Wicomico County Emergency Management.

To report further fuel sheen or wildlife affected by the spill, contact the Coast Guard Command Center at (410) 576-2525.

source: USCG press release

On February 24, 2009 the Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the next phase of a project involving the Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) and Chesapeake Bay watermen on the state’s oyster bar rehabilitation program. The project is part of a plan to help mitigate economic losses from the declining blue crab fishery, while also helping to restore the Chesapeake Bay.

“Together with the Oyster Recovery Partnership, Maryland is taking action to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay, while ensuring that watermen have opportunities to continue to thrive,” said Governor O’Malley. “We are especially thankful to our congressional delegation and Maryland General Assembly for supporting funding which enabled these sustainable measures to be put into action.”

For the next 12 weeks, about 475 watermen will work to recover and clean oyster bars in the Tangier Sound and the Patuxent, Choptank, Tred Avon, Wicomico and Severn Rivers. Watermen will use their boats and dredge equipment to remove silt and sediment from the tops of once historically healthy oyster bars in order to prepare them for a natural spat set and/or hatchery seed planting.

The oyster bar rehabilitation program began in November of 2008 and once complete will have provided at least 10 days of paid work to over 500 watermen. Every year, the Chesapeake Bay loses 2,600 acres of hard bottom oyster habitat. By the end of these projects watermen will have reclaimed shell on 1,000 acres of oyster reefs.

The Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants (SWG) Program provides grants of $20,000 to $200,000 to organizations and local governments working on a local level to implement protects that improve small watersheds in the Chesapeake Bay basin, while building citizen-based resource stewardship. The program also provides small grants for project planning and design. This program is funded by EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program Office, as well as by NOAA Fisheries, USDA Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and other sponsors.

The RFP for the 2009 Small Watershed Grants Program is now live on the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation website, at www.nfwf.org/smallwatershed, where you will find information about the program, how to apply, and a link for the webinar we will conduct on Monday, March 16 at 12 noon. The webinar will provide guidance on how to prepare competitive applications for the CBSWG Program, as well as information about NFWF’s new Easy Grants online application system.

For more information about how to apply via Easy Grants, please go to www.nfwf.org/applicantinfo

To start an application go to www.nfwf.org/easygrants

applications are due May 1, 2009.

The Maryland Environmental Trust (MET) is accepting grant applications for the Keep Maryland Beautiful program from voluntary non-profit groups or communities for solutions to environmental problems. The grants are part of the Trust’s Keep Maryland Beautiful activities, which are funded by the State Highway Administration, a division of the Maryland Department of Transportation.

The Margaret Rosch Jones Award is awarded to an ongoing project that has already demonstrated success in solving an environmental issue, whether local or statewide.

The Bill James Environmental Grants are awarded to nonprofit youth groups for new environmental education projects in their community.

The Jones award is given in memory of Margaret Jones, the executive director and moving spirit of the Keep Maryland Beautiful Program for many years. The Trust looks forward to honoring Ms Jones qualities of devotion, energy and ingenuity with a group working today to re-build and enhance their community environment.

The Bill James Environmental Grants are given in memory of William S. James, who drafted legislation to create the Maryland Environmental Trust, incorporating the activities of the Governor’s Committee to Keep Maryland Beautiful.

To be considered, a project must have:

* Demonstrated leadership and volunteer participation
* Potential benefit to the environment and community
* A feasible plan, including goals, success criteria and time line for completion

Application forms with guidance may be obtained at www.dnr.state.md.us/met or from Beki Howey (410-514-7915). Deadline for applications is March 31, 2009.

Environmental Concern will hold a series of wetlands classes during 2009. Classes are held at their Wetland Learning Center, located in St. Michaels, Maryland. The facility is home to four constructed wetlands, a nature trail, and a working native plant nursery growing over 120 plant species.

Courses are scheduled to include:

Wetland Freshwater Benthic Macroinvertebrate Identification and Ecology

Wetland Law and Policy

Wetland Delineation

Advanced Plant Identification

Hydric Soils

Introduction Wetland Botany

Grasses Sedges and Rushes

Family-level Freshwater Benthic Macroinvertebrate Identification and Ecology

Complete course descriptions, instructor bios and online registration can be found at www.wetland.org

In 2008, Environmental Concern was selected and certified as a Maryland Green Center by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education.

DNR, ORP & Watermen Begin Work Rehabilitating Oyster Bars in Tangier Sound, Severn & Patuxent Rivers

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) expect to hire more than 520 watermen for oyster bar restoration work as part of Governor Martin O’Malley’s plan to help mitigate economic losses from the declined blue crab fishery, while also helping to restore the Chesapeake Bay.  An additional 84 watermen are expected to be hired for land-based work that will begin later this year.

“United with the Maryland Watermen’s Association and the Oyster Recovery Partnership, we’re keeping Maryland watermen working and protecting the viability of local businesses that rely on blue crabs, while giving the species time to rebuild,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Our State and federal government invested in work projects for watermen to help strengthen the industry for the future. The Chesapeake Bay also benefits from these projects that utilize watermen’s skills, gear and intimate knowledge of the Bay to help restore oyster bars, an important habitat for blue crabs.”

This week more than 100 watermen worked to recover and clean approximately 100 acres of oyster bars in Tangier Sound and the Patuxent and Severn Rivers.  Watermen used their boats and dredge equipment to remove silt and sediment from the tops of once historically healthy oyster bars in order to prepare them for a natural spat set and/or hatchery seed planting.

“This work really helped keep us in business and boost the local economy,” said Calvert County Waterman’s Association President Tommy Zinn, who led crews working in the Patuxent River this week. “This is a good program that’s helping the heart of crabbers.  The work that we are doing will hopefully help strengthen the industry down the road by improving our local oyster bars.”

Every year, the Chesapeake Bay loses 2,600 acres of hard bottom oyster habitat.  By the end of these projects watermen will have reclaimed shell on 1,000 acres of oyster reefs.

“This is a good project that helps put more oysters in the bay,” said JR Gross, owner of JVE Seafood and leader of crews working in the Severn River this week. “I’m proud to be a part of this project because it will really have a positive impact.  I’m very optimistic about this program and hope that we can expand it in the future.”

Earlier this year, the O’Malley-Brown Administration took historic action, in cooperation with Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine, to rebuild the Chesapeake Bay’s beleaguered blue crab population by reducing the harvest of ecologically valuable female blue crabs by 34 percent in 2008.  In September 2008, in response to a request from Governors O’Malley and Kaine, NOAA‘s National Marine Fisheries Service declared a federal fishery disaster for Chesapeake Bay watermen and women who have suffered economic hardships due to the extremely low and unstable blue crab population as well as the downturn in the national economy.

Earlier this week, Governor O’Malley thanked the leadership of Maryland’s Congressional Delegation for securing $10 million in federal fishery disaster funding for Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay blue crab industry.  These federal funds compliment the $3 million in capital funds set aside by the Governor and General Assembly to pay for the restoration work that started this week.

For more information about Maryland’s efforts to rebuild the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/dnrnews/infocus/blue_crab.asp.

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

Since discovering Didymo for the first time in Maryland last month, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has set up six wader sterilization stations throughout the tailwaters of Gunpowder Falls, to prevent further spread of this and other aquatic invasives.

Didymo is an algal diatom that forms long stalks which combine to form heavy, thick mats that can smother a stream bottom. Didymo mats, also called “rock snot,” look slimy, but feel like wet cotton or wool, and can be white, yellow or brown. The stalks can persist for two or more months after the diatoms die, causing habitat damage for an extended period of time.

“Didymo and other aquatic invasive species seriously jeopardize the health of our rivers, streams and Bay,” said Don Cosden, an assistant director with the DNR Fisheries Service. “Not only do these exotic species disrupt the local ecosystem, they are capable of permanently displacing or eradicating native species, including trout and other freshwater fisheries. We need anglers and other recreational users of this area to take 60 seconds to sterilize gear, and protect the waters they enjoy.”

Although there is no human health risk associated with the species, DNR is developing an aggressive plan of attack to deal with this invader, including asking anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts to use extra precautions when moving from one stream or lake to another. Movement of a single cell can contaminate a new waterway, and once Didymo is established, it can cover and suffocate a stream bottom.

“Proper angler protocol is the main line of defense in preventing the introduction and spread of aquatic invasives,” said Jonathan McKnight, chair of DNR’s Invasive Species Team. “We are strongly urging anglers to properly sterilize their waders and all gear that comes in contact with the water prior to using the gear in a new location.”

DNR strongly urges citizens to sterilize boots, paddles, boats and anything else that comes into contact with stream water; anglers may want to consider having two sets of equipment in order to move safely from one spot to another. DNR also advises against using felt bottom boots and waders – the worst culprits in the spread of aquatic invaders – replacing them with non-porous materials. If felt waders are used, they should be completely immersed in salt solution before being used in another location.

Proper sterilization procedures include:

* Before leaving a stream, scrub away all dirt and debris.
* At home or at a wader sterilization station, disinfect equipment by scrubbing or soaking in at least a 5 percent salt solution (2 cups salt/2.5 gallons water) for 60 seconds and then letting dry completely or scrub with dish detergent and rinse well.
* If disinfection is not possible, let equipment dry completely for at least 48 hours before next use.

Currently, wader sterilization stations are set up at six popular crossings along Gunpowder Falls: Masemore Road, Bunker Hill Road, York Road, Blue Mount Road and both north and south lots at the Falls Road crossing. In the coming weeks, stations will also be set up along the Casselman, Youghiogheny and Savage Rivers.

Originally found in Scotland and extreme northern Europe and Asia, Didymo has been transported worldwide. Recently, the species has been found in the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. In many cases, anglers have unknowingly transported the diatom on their fishing gear.

DNR urges anyone who observes Didymo on rivers other than the Gunpowder Falls to contact Don Cosden at 410-260-8287 as soon as possible.

For more information on Didymo and other invasive species, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/invasives/.

source: MD DNR press release

Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (CBNERR) recently completed a five-year management plan that sets goals to expand the boundaries of Maryland’s three reserves, develop an environmental education center, and increase environmental stewardship and sustainable living through scientific research, environmental literacy and coastal management training for local decision-makers and stakeholders.

“The Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve’s updated plan represents a commitment to research, education and stewardship that is exceptionally valuable to protecting and restoring Maryland’s, and the nation’s estuaries,” said Frank Dawson, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Assistant Secretary. “Our coastal training program plays a crucial role in providing scientific information to Chesapeake Bay decision-makers as we work to best address and better plan for population growth, land development and climate change.”

The Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Maryland has three sites —Otter Point Creek in Harford County, Jug Bay in Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties, and Monie Bay in Somerset County. Partnering with local governments and non-profit conservation organizations, CBNERR hopes to add 1,345 acres Jug Bay Estuarine Research Reserve by incorporating the Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s County, as well as adding 32 acres to Otter Point Creek in Harford County.

CBNERR’s top priority at the Monie Bay Reserve is to increase opportunities for public access and environmental education by purchasing property for an environmental education center. Currently students in Somerset County, where Monie Bay is located, have no access to any private or public environmental education center. In addition to creating a new environmental education facility, CBNERR aims to increase effective environmental education to underserved populations so that more Marylanders change their personal behavior and serve as leaders to promote sound, informed, science-based decision-making throughout the community. CBNERR will also continue to work to increase environmental literacy with teachers, students, and communities to increase their connection to nature so that they will take action better its protection and restoration.

Many aspects of the 1990 management plan have been realized, most notably, the completion of the Anita C. Leight Center in Harford County, which provides classrooms, lab space, exhibit space and office space, and has allowed the implementation of research, education and volunteer activity at the Otter Point Creek component of the Reserve.

One of 27 National Estuarine Research Reserves around the nation, CBNERR protects and restores approximately 5,000 acres of forest, farm and wetlands; conducts research and monitoring; educates visitors; runs coastal training programs for decision-makers; and enables affordable public recreation opportunities. The Reserve’s mission is to improve coastal resource management by increasing scientific understanding of estuarine systems and making estuarine research relevant, meaningful, and accessible to managers and stakeholders.

Cutting edge research performed at the Reserves helps to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay. Recent research includes exploring methods for reducing excess nutrient pollution from agricultural waste and investigating the environmental impacts and potential mitigation of sea level rise.

CBNERR is a Federal-State-Local partnership program, and receives funds annually from NOAA, DNR and Harford County. Operation of the Reserve would not be possible without local partners who assist by providing land, facilities, staff and volunteers, including Anne Arundel County (Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary), Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission (Jug Bay Natural Area), Friends of Jug Bay, Harford County (Anita C. Leight Estuary Center), and the Harford County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America (Bosely Conservancy).

For more information visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/cbnerr/.