Chesapeake Bay News

For 2011, Magothy River Day will be held on June 12th. Magothy River Day 2011 is a celebration of the discovery of the Magothy River 403 years ago by Captain John Smith.

Boaters are encouraged to gather at the Dobbins Island Anchorage around 12 Noon.  At 1PM, the Nautical Wheelers, a JimmyBuffett cover band will play an On-Water Concert lasting until 5PM.  Last year was a great
day and 2011 should be even better.

The Magothy River Association works to achieve cleaner, healthier waters and greater public access. For details, see: http://www.h2006.net/MRA25

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) has delivered oyster cages and spat at two points along the Magothy River in Anne Arundel County as part of the State’s Marylanders Grow Oysters program. The Magothy River oyster growers, lead by the Magothy River Association, are beginning their second year as participants in the project. The program has expanded by seven new rivers this summer to a total of 19 Chesapeake Bay tributaries.

The distributions cover both the northern and southern shores of the Magothy River. Marylanders Grow Oysters began with one river in Talbot County in 2008. During its second year, a total of 12 rivers were participating.

“Stewardship of a diminished resource such as the Bay’s oyster population is vital for its long-term recovery,” said Stephan Abel, Executive Director for the Oyster Recovery Partnership. “Having Marylanders actively caring for these oysters will increase the public’s awareness and understanding of this keystone species and all that is involved to bring them back. The Bay’s recovery is dependent upon everyone doing their part.”

Under the program, which is run by DNR with assistance from the ORP, more than 1,000 citizens now participate in Marylanders Grow Oysters. Last year the 12 rivers were stocked with spat in 6,123 cages. By the end of October this year, approximately 8,000 cages and spat will have been delivered to new rivers and those already participating.

“To implement the program, the river coordinator is essential,” said Chris Judy, shellfish biologist with DNR’s Fisheries Service. “Without our local coordinators, the program wouldn’t work.”

DNR and the ORP will work with the seven new local coordinators that have volunteered to support the program’s expansion. These volunteers will identify waterfront property owners willing to become oyster growers, and deliver oyster cages and young oysters to growers in their respective tributaries.

The oyster cages for the program are constructed by inmates under the supervision of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. The spat come from University of Maryland Center For Environmental Science Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge.

DNR and ORP will be working with these new rivers and local organizations:

Tributary     Local Organization

Miles River – Environmental Concern

Bodkin Creek – Bodkin Creek Homeowners Association

Chester River – Washington College

Wye River and Cox Creek – Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center

Swan Creek – Gary Zelinski

Harris Creek – Talbot County and Choptank Tributary Team

source: MD DNR

The Magothy River Association, in conjunction with the state sponsored “Marylanders Grow Oysters” program, is again recruiting oyster gardeners for the 2010-2011 season. If you have access to a pier on the Magothy River, and can spare a few minutes every week or so, you can do this!  The MGO program is free to all participants.

This is at least a one year commitment. The oysters you grow will be placed on restored oyster reefs in the Magothy River in the summer of 2011.  We ask that you consider taking a new batch of oysters at that time to start the process over again.

This year the logistics are slightly different.  Many of you still have cages ready for the new spat. Many of you participated last year but turned in your cages. Many of you will be starting fresh in the program. When signing up, please indicate the following scenarios that apply:
1. I have __ cages and would like to participate again.
2. I participated last year but do not have the cages. I would like __ cages.
3. Last year, the location where I picked up my cages was _______________.
4. I am new to the program and will take up to four cages.

To sign up, send an e-mail to magothyriversavers at yahoo.com with your name, street address, phone, e-mail, and above information. A picture of the cage can be found at the below web site. The cut-off for signing up is September 1, 2010.

The oyster-spat pickup is tentatively planned for a weekend in September. Details will be sent as the program evolves.

For more information please visit the following website: http://www.h2006.net/MRAOys01

The Magothy River Association will hold its eighth annual “State of the Magothy River” presentation on Wednesday, February 17, 2010, starting at 6:30 PM. The meeting will feature the annual Magothy River Index.

“This year, I am disappointed to report that the aquatic health of the Magothy River dropped again, to 28% – we are giving letter grades for the first time and it got a “D” grade. As a result of this poor water quality, the MRA has suspended our efforts to grow and restore underwater grasses in the Magothy, which we have done every year since 2003. I believe a “D” grade doesn’t mean that the Magothy River is “Doomed.” If we implement a strategy that builds on personal stewardship and community restoration, and demands legal and political actions to enforce environmental regulations and control development, we can clean up our river.” – MRA President Paul Spadaro

Scheduled speakers:

1) 2009 Magothy River Index. Prepared by Dr. Peter Bergstrom, NOAA and MRA. (Produced each year since 2003)
2) MRA and the World Bank: Working Together to Support Community Science, by Dr. Carolyn Winter
3) MRA Committees: Education/Action; Stormwater/Runoff; Zoning/Enforcement

Displays:

1. MRA kayak raffle
2. Watershed Stewards Academy
3. Bayland Consultants, Mill Creek and North Cyprus Branch Restoration
4. Friends of Dobbins Island
5. Magothy River Land Trust – Conservation Easements in the Magothy Watershed
6. Magothy SAV Surveys – How you can help
7. Magothy River Day

Doors and displays open at 6:30. Program to start at 7:00. Following the presentations, there will be refreshments and time to visit the displays and chat with watershed residents and the experts. Are you interested in clean water, healthy fish, living oyster reefs, and limiting suburban effects on the Magothy?  Come and see how you can help!

Date:    Wednesday February 17, 2010
Place:   Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, East Campus
Humanities Building, (HUM on map), Room 112 (use Parking Lot A or B)
Map at:  http://www.aacc.edu/locationsandmaps/file/ArnoldCampusMapCMYK_10_09.pdf

The Magothy River Association will hold its seventh annual “State of the Magothy River” presentation on Wednesday, February 18, 2009, starting at 6:30 PM. The meeting will feature the annual Magothy River Index and a report on the Magothy Watershed Conference held in January.

Scheduled speakers:

1) 2008 Magothy River Index. Prepared by Dr. Peter Bergstrom, NOAA and MRA. (Produced each year since 2003)
2) The first Magothy River Watershed Conference. Presented by Dot Leonard, Ocean Equities
3) New MRA Committees – Education/Action; Stormwater Runoff; Zoning/Enforcement.

Displays:

1. Arlington Echo Watershed Academy
2. Bayland Consultants, Mill & Dividing Creek Study
3. Friends of Dobbins Island
4. Watershed Action Group (WAG) – Cypress Creek Stream Restoration
6. Magothy River Land Trust – Conservation Easements in the Magothy Watershed
7. MRA Team Science Diver
8. Magothy Aquatic Health
9. Seasonal Variation in Biodiverstiy on Oyster Reefs
And other displays or posters.

Doors and displays open at 6:30. Program to start at 7:00. Following the presentations, there will be refreshments and time to visit the displays and chat with watershed residents and the experts. Anyone interested in clean water, healthy fish, living oyster reefs and limiting suburban effects on the Magothy are urged to attend.

Date: Wednesday February 18, 2009
Place: Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, West Campus
CALT 100 (Applied Learning & Technology)
(use Parking Lot G, F, or E closest to Ritchie)
directions at: http://www.aacc.cc.md.us/locationsandmaps/maps.cfm

Doors open 6:30 P.M., program 7:00-9:00 PM
Refreshments will be served
For Information call: Paul Spadaro, President of Magothy River Association, 410-647-8772, email: spadaro@cablespeed.com, or visit www.magothyriver.org

In case of inclement weather, if the college is closed, the program is postponed.
College closings are announced on WNAV radio (1430 AM) and on the college web site, http://www.aacc.edu/

The Magothy River Association will hold the first Magothy Watershed Conference to establish a watershed master plan on January 24-25, 2009.  An impressive list of speakers, with provocative topics to encourage discussion, will precede participant discussions.  Representatives of watershed communities and other interested parties are encouraged to register.

Topics include:

* Stormwater Pollution & Controls
* Living  Shorelines
* Critical Areas Program
* Septic Systems & the Bay Restoration Program
* Oyster Restoration
* AA Co Watershed Assessment & Planning Program

A $10.00 registration fee includes lunch on Saturday and the latest version of the Magothy River Map (suitable for framing).

See more information at www.magothyriver.org.

The Nautical Wheelers will perform at Dobbins Island Anchorage on June 14, 2008 from 6pm to 9 pm. The event will honor the historic event of Captain John Smith’s exploration of the Magothy River on June 12,1608.

The Magothy River Association has declared June 12 Magothy River Day! A celebration of Magothy River Day, will be hosted by The Magothy River Association on FLAG DAY, Saturday, June 14, 2008. Come join in for a number of family fun activities within the protected waters of the historic Dobbins Island anchorage.

The Nautical Wheelers will entertain boaters by performing on a boat anchored in the anchorage.

BYOB (Bring your own boat)

Activities Planned:

4pm Rendezvous at Dobbins island (Free parking)
5 pm Re-enactment of Captain John Smith landing on the Dobbins Island sand bar officially declaring “ the Dobbins Recreational Area as the LAND of Pleasant Living”
6 pm to 9 pm Band Concert featuring the Nautical Wheelers
9:30 pm Christmas light boat parade back to home ports Be patriotic, June 14 is flag day the color of the day is Red White and Blue the color of the night is up to you.

Details contact Friends of Dobbins at www.SaveDobbins.org

Do you, family, or friends enjoy spending time on the Magothy River? Would you like to find out how you can help to protect and restore this precious resource? Would you like to hear about all of the great things happening on your river?

The Magothy River Association will hold its sixth annual “State of the Magothy River” presentation on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, starting at 7:00 PM. The meeting will feature the annual Magothy River Index (with a new format this year) and a Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail overview.

Scheduled speakers:
1) 2007 Magothy River Index. Prepared by Dr. Peter Bergstrom, NOAA and MRA. (Produced each year since 2003)
2) Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail overview – Sarah Bransom, National Park Service

3) MRA Creek Watchers – Carl Treff, MRA Volunteer Coordinator

4) Update on the Magothy River Oyster Plan – Dick Carey, MRA Dive Coordinator/Dive Safety Officer

DISPLAYS:
1. Friends of Dobbins Island
2. Bayland Consultants, Mill & Dividing Creek Study
3. Severna Park Watershed Action Group display on North Cypress Branch
4. Department of Natural Resources-Natural Resources Police – Vessel Management Plan & Boating Safety
5. National Aquarium in Baltimore

6. Magothy River Land Trust – Conservation Easements in the Magothy Watershed

7. MRA Team Diver Poster: “Scientific Divers of the Magothy River for Boating and Diver Safety.”
8. MRA – Oyster Reefs in the Magothy River
9. Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

Doors and displays open at 6:30. Program to start at 7:00. Following the presentations, there will be refreshments and time to visit the displays and chat with watershed residents and the experts. Are you interested in clean water, healthy fish, living oyster reefs and limiting suburban effects on the Magothy?  Come and see how you can help!

Date:    Wednesday February 20, 2008

Place:   Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, West Campus

Cade (Fine Arts) 219 (use Parking Lot F, closest to Ritchie)

directions at: http://www.aacc.cc.md.us/locationsandmaps/maps.cfm

Doors open 6:30 P.M., program 7:00-9:00 PM

Refreshments will be served

For Information call: Paul Spadaro, President of Magothy River Association, 410-647-8772, email: spadaro@cablespeed.com, or visit our web page: www.magothyriver.org

In case of inclement weather, if the college is closed, the program is postponed.  College closings are announced on WNAV radio (1430 AM) and on the college web site, http://www.aacc.edu