Magothy River Selected as One of Four Rivers Considered for Restoration
Selected Targeted Watershed to be Announced in December

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ANNAPOLIS — Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today named the Magothy River in Anne Arundel County as one of four candidate watersheds being considered for the State’s second coordinated effort to remove a Chesapeake Bay tributary from the EPA’s List of Impaired Waters. Earlier this year an EPA report named Maryland’s first Targeted Watershed effort -- The Corsica River Pilot Project -- the best watershed-based plan in the nation.

“In the next targeted watershed, which will be chosen from these four finalists, we will expand both our knowledge and our impact on the ground,” said Governor Ehrlich. “As we continue to move this important work across Maryland, we also move closer to our ultimate goal of improved water quality and a restored Chesapeake Bay.”

To determine the most appropriate sites for the State’s next effort, the Maryland Departments of Natural Resources, Environment, Agriculture and Planning conducted a critical review of watersheds throughout the State. Using stringent eligibility criteria, which were developed by a non-governmental Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee, the agencies selected the four finalists. Joining the Magothy River on the list is Lower Gunpowder in Baltimore County, Port Tobacco River in Charles County, and Bynum Run in Harford County. The final selection will be announced before the end of the year.

"We are very excited to learn that the Magothy River Watershed is one of four semi-finalists chosen for the State's next Targeted Watershed Project,” said Robert Miller, Land Use and Environment Officer for Anne Arundel County. “The County has already established working partnerships with many organizations in the watershed, and we're cooperating to implement restoration plans and projects in several sub-watersheds of the Magothy River Watershed. We welcome the assistance that would be provided through the Targeted Watershed Project and look forward to meeting with the Bay Cabinet and State staff to fully explore this opportunity."

On September 27, 2005, Governor Ehrlich announced a new focus in the State’s efforts to restore the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay: Restoration of entire watersheds. The first watershed targeted was the Corsica River Pilot Project in Queen Anne’s County. This project is already providing invaluable lessons on how to address large scale implementation challenges and find cost effective solutions in restoring an entire river system. During the past year, the State has allocated $2.7 million to the Project, and worked with partners to plant 10 acres of oysters; restore 4 acres of wetlands and 12 acres of forested buffers; and plant 458 acres of traditional cover crops. Nearly 1,200 acres were also planted in commodity crops with no fall fertilization.
 

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November 1, 1006

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 18,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov