IMPORTANT REQUEST
Eugene J. Scarpulla (gscarp@erols.com)
Fri, 28 Nov 1997 14:21:45 -0500
HART-MILLER ISLAND
SOUTH CELL ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION
PUBLIC MEETING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1997
7:00 PM TO 9:00 PM
CHESAPEAKE HIGH SCHOOL
1801 TURKEY POINT ROAD
BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND
All birders who are interested in the final outcome of Hart-Miller
Island are urgently requested to attend this second public meeting. I am
representing the Maryland Ornithological Society on the Study Team that
is working on developing a plan for the environmental restoration of the
South Cell. At the first public meeting in September, I gave a brief
presentation on the benefits of the Island for migrating shorebirds,
nesting terns, and wintering waterfowl. Following my talk, five
restoration options were presented. The first four would create varying
amounts of mudflat and pool habitat for the above species groups; the
fifth option would leave the South Cell in its current state, a 300-acre
expanse of Phragmites (Common Reed). Unfortunately, there were no
birders in the audience to voice their support of the restoration
project. This was of great concern to the Study Team, since some
mainland residents at the hearing voiced their opposition to the mudflat
and pool options.
For the upcoming public meeting, the five options have been whittled
down to three options: mudflat and pool, grassland, and Phragmites.
Economics is also being discussed at the Study Team meetings. The
mudflat and pool option is the most expensive; the Phragmites option is
the cheapest. If support is not shown for the mudflat and pool
proposal, we could end up with the Phragmites option being the one
selected to the detriment of shorebirds, terns, and waterfowl.
If you can attend, please come and support the mudflat and pool option
for the environmental restoration of the South Cell.
If you have comments or questions on the South Cell Environmental
Restoration Study or you would like further information, please contact
Mr. Richard Kibby, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District,
CENAB-PL-P (HMI), Box 1715, Baltimore, MD 21203-1715 at (410) 962-0694
or (800) 295-1610; or by e-mail at j.richard.kibby@nab02.usace.army.mil.
Of course, you can always contact me also. Thanks,
Gene Scarpulla
gscarp@erols.com