HNCA Help with a Kick-off Clean-u of Back River HNCA members at it again pitching in to raise awareness of the need to clean up Back River.  Many months Steve Verch made a presentation at the Back River Community Center announcing a formal attempt to place Back River on the Scenic River List and he urged local community groups attend this kick-off clean-up along the river's shoreline.  We were there!  The momentum is continuing good news to coming!  PIC's and a web-site will be posted in the near future ...... HNCA visits St. Mary Many of our members spend a day with Captain Jack Russsell aboard The Dee of St. Mary learning about the history and the current conditions of the oystering industry.  Captain Russell's delivery of information was both insightful and humorous.  Among the topics discussed was the possible survival of oysters in the upper bay.  Survival is possible but the ability to spark (reproduce) is very limit because of the salinity levels.  Captain Russell spoke of his experiences dredging Man-of-War-Sholes in the Northern Bay and watching productive fall. Fun was had by all one and as you can see there was an uncontrollable urge to get up close and personal with the catches from the sea.  The kissing of fish and blowing on shells was a popular teaching method.   Gypsy Moth Suppression  What the Homeowner Can Do: Property owners are always the first line of defense against the gypsy moth. It is important for property owners to be aware of gypsy moth infestations on their property and in their local area, and to know what to do. In situations where there will be no state Cooperative Suppression Program, individual property owners, their neighbors or community need to know when and how to manage this pest and protect their trees. There are four things to do: Know when you have an infestation Know if your neighbors or community are affected Know your options for pest management Know when to take action 1. Know when you have an infestation The gypsy moth is easy to recognize in all its stages. For pictures and additional information click on "gypsy moth appearance", or go to the University of Maryland Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC) Fact Sheet listed on the right. When you will see them: Usually the first sign of a gypsy moth infestation is the appearance of large caterpillars in mid to late June. Sometimes, the homeowner will instead notice their droppings (called “frass”) on decks and walks around the home or other buildings. In the early spring, after the eggs have hatched, the tiny (about 1/8 inch) dark fuzzy larvae will be blown about in the wind and will be noticed if they land on your clothing or other light colored objects. Towards the end of June or in early July, the caterpillars will change into the pupal stage and in about a week the adult moths emerge, mate, and lay eggs, often in the same places the caterpillars and pupae were found (see “Where to find them”). Male moths are medium sized brown moths that fly during the day. They are not attracted to lights or flowers, but will be seen in early July fluttering around the trees and shrubs in the yard or woods. The female moth is larger, while with small dark markings and does not fly. She is found in the same locations as the caterpillars and pupae. Where to find them: The larger caterpillars often crawl down out of the tree during the day and hide in or under objects in the yard or forest floor. Common places for them to be found are the undersides of branches, decks, rails, tables and so forth, underneath the leaves of climbing vines or ground cover plants, under leaves on the forest floor, behind signs, under roof overhangs, where siding of a building meets the foundation, and in the furrows and under flaps of bark on the trunks of larger trees. What is a heavy infestation? Heavier infestations will produce a noticeable amount of frass, such that the walk or deck or pool needs to be swept or cleaned almost daily. If there are enough caterpillars, at night, the sound of their droppings will seem like a light rain. The landowner will notice holes or ragged edges to a lot of leaves, and the canopy will appear thin, with more light showing through than usual. Frequently, pieces of leaves drop to the ground in June as the large caterpillars eat through the middle of the leaf. Even if the infestation of caterpillars was not heavy enough to cause noticeable defoliation of the trees this year, there may be enough egg masses laid to cause a much greater problem the following year. Therefore, it is important to be able to recognize the gypsy moth egg mass (refer to the publication on the Home and Garden Information site). New egg masses can be seen any time beginning in August. They will typically be found in the same places where the large caterpillars (and the pupal stage) were found. Ten or more egg masses per oak tree on your property is cause for concern! back to list 2. Know if your neighbors or community are affected There are two important reasons to talk to your neighbors about gypsy moth infestations on your properties. First, is so that you each can be informed about any infestation. Your neighbor needs to be aware of any infestation you have since it can spread to near by properties the following spring, and likewise you will learn of any infestation your neighbor(s) may have - and which may be even heavier than yours! Second, any control actions you taken will be more effective and less expensive if you and your neighbors work together, especially if you chose to hire an applicator. Also, it is best to review with your neighbor any options for control you are considering. back to list 3. Know your options for pest management The feasibility and effectiveness of the various options will depend on the size and severity of the infestation in your area (see #2 above). back to list 4. When to take action The time to take action is well before your leaves start disappearing! It is best to aim control actions can be aimed at the egg masses or the young caterpillars. Large numbers of egg masses are commonly found in wood piles and on man made objects in the yard. The firewood should be burned, and egg masses can be scraped off lower parts of the trees and house and off objects in the yard any time before early-mid April when they begin to hatch. However simply scraping the eggs on to the ground will not necessarily kill them, so they should be collected and disposed of in the trash, or buried. There are few products registered to spray on egg masses, and unfortunately, the most effective ones are not generally available. There are a variety of over the counter insecticides that can be used against the caterpillars, but all will be more effective if used when the caterpillars are still small but feeding which is usually during the first couple of weeks in May. The insecticides are applied to the leaves. Contact your local Cooperative Extension agent or go to the Home and Garden web site or call 800-342-2507 for control recommendations. However, it should be kept in mind that heavier or larger infestations may not be controlled adequately by home-owner methods, and a licensed pesticide application firm may need to be contacted. Click on “Private Ground Applicators” or “Private Aerial Applicators” for a current list of licensed application firms offering gypsy moth control services in your county. (information provided by the MD Dept of Agriculture for more information on the life cyle of the Moth and State suppression policy visit http://www.mda.state.md.us/plants-pests/forest_pest_mgmt/gypsy_moth/gypsy_moth_program_policy.php ) Eligibility for High School Scholarship Any senior high school student residing in Baltimore County is eligible to apply for a scholarship. Seniors must have applied for entry to an accredited college or university for studies in Environmental Sciences, Biology, Marine Biology or a related environmental/science field.   The awarded amount will be made payable directly to the college or university in the students name. 2010 Scholarship Letter Holly Neck Scholarship Application Pleasure Island Shoreline Enhancement project The icon to the right is information regarding a proposal to enhance and protect the Pleasure Island shoreline.  Additional information will be added regarding other Back River Neck Water Shed projects as it is made available.  Your support may be needed to lobby State and Federal officials to provide funding please educate yourself on this matter. Pleasure Island Project   LNG Research The purpose of this posting on the HNCA web-site to encourage our members to research and consider the impact of a LNG terminal in the Baltimore Area.  Please take a moment to review the information by clicking on the icons to the right and more importantly research this topic on you own.  The upper Icon to the right is a power point presentation with a positive view of the topic.  The Icon in the lower box to the right is a negative letter citing commonly hear concerns regarding the topic.  Neither article represents the official position of HNCA on this topic.     What are the risks associated with a LNG terminal? What impact will a LNG terminal have on the Bay? Consider needed dredging, additional shipping and security? What will be the impact of the pipeline?   Positive LNG testimony Oct 9, 2009 Baltimore County and Sun Paper LNG Position FERC desenting LNG opinion LNG Properties video LNG Market Glut LNG Bad Call Wall Street Journal ALGAE BLOOM Information from DNR to date:  The following information is a more detailed response from the Department of Natural Resources concerning the Algae Bloom in our area. The two forms of algae we have been seeing recently in the Middle River area are two types of filamentous algae . Rhizoclonium and Cladophora. Several additional filamentous algae species have been observed in the Gunpowder/Middle River area since the mid 1980's, which also include Enterophora sp and Stigeoclonium sp. MDE records indicate that the filamentous algae Stigeoclonium sp. bloomed to nuisance levels near the mouth of the Gunpowder River in 1989. There was also an extensive bloom of Enteromorpha in Seneca Creek during the same year. Cladophora and Rhizoclonium have been the dominant nuisance algae species observed in this area since 2002. These algae species are not toxic.However when large algae blooms began to die and decompose, localized oxygen depletion may occur, which may cause fish kills. The literature supports the increase in hard water or calcium carbonate as a contributing factor, although little evidence supports this as a factor in estuarine environments. These blooms generally occur as a result of excess nutrients in the watershed, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus. MDE is currently investigating the practices of a local farmer in the Browns Cove Watershed. Although it is probable that this situation is contributing to the bloom, it is not likely to be the only source of nutrients in the Gunpowder/Middle River watershed. Nor is it suspected to be the predominant cause of the current bloom, which extends North into Middle River.  In general, all who live in the watershed contribute to algae blooms. Manual removal is time consuming but acceptable. This is a freshwater plant that may be placed in a compose pile or buried. Currently seeking response to following additional questions: Does it always return? No, conditions must be optimum for growth and propagation. Timing of available nutrients, light attenuation, temperature and salinity are suspected to be primary factors for blooms in this area. In general, freshets caused by periods of heavy rainfall are primary sources of non-point source nutrient influx into the upper bay.  Which SAV is most resistant to and most likely to discourage the return or spreading of algae? The answer to this question is not known. Our records indicate that the non-native species Eurasian Milfoil is dominant in the area. What is the best removal method? All mechanical means should be explored. Great care should be taken not to disturb SAV's if practical. I would suspect that rakes and pitch forks would generally work with enough precision to remove the algae without damaging the majority of SAV beds. High tide may be the best time to begin mechanical removal. Prop dredging would tend to dislodge the SAV's and should be avoided. Unfortunately algae will generally encyst, when not actively growing, to come back another day as conditions once again become optimum.   Are there any positive environmental benefits of algae? Yes, many algae species (in low concentration) are essential elements of the food chain. There would be no life in the bay, as we know it, without algae. Algae extract energy from the sun, take up CO2 and give off oxygen. Algae Study of Frog Mortar Creek Plastic Bottles and Our Waterways: What happens to discarded plastics?  ... View these three You Tube Links! ... The problem is more than just unsightly litter! ... See you at the next clean up! Marshy Point Nature Center Programs Scholarships will be available for at least two students entering Grades 5 and 6 from Holly Neck Conservation Association, Inc. for “Chesapeake Camp” @ Marshy Point Nature Center this summer.  Please submit one paragraph expressing “Why I  want to attend Chesapeake Camp” and submit to HNCA, P.O. Box 16666, Baltimore, MD 21221. The scholarship will be made payable directly to Marshy Point Nature Center on behalf of the students.   Applicants will be judged on the contents of their submittal.  Please include your name, address & phone number so that winners may be contacted.   Also if the Cool Camps For Hot Summer Nights program occurs again this summer we hope to fund several students the this program.  The program was designed for families with children ages 5 - 16 in the evenings at the Marshy Point Nature Center.  Watch for details! F.A.Q. Enviromental issues on the Pennisula Wetlands Restoration: The chairman of the environmental committee, has been working with State Highways on the wetlands creation project near the Coastal Rural Legacy Area.  The following list of list of Frequently Asked Questions were answered by SHA to address the concerns of the community during the early stages of the project: 1. What is the cause of the odor from the site? The topsoil that is being used was salvaged from wetlands at MD 43. Wetland topsoil are anaerobic, that is, depleted of oxygen.  Under anaerobic conditions many natural minerals such as iron, and sulfur, and organic matter go through chemical changes.  When the stockpile is reoxygenated by mixing an odor is released.  This odor should not persist once the topsoil is spread and begins to dry out and will not return when it gets wet from rain. 2.. When should we see vegetation in the area? All areas have been seeded.  Isolated wet pockets are showing some emergence of grasses that are included in the seed mix and hopefully a little rain soon will help to get all the areas sprouting with vegetation.  The density of vegetation will be dependent on when we get our first hard frost and how long the emerging plants have had a chance to grow before then.  By next spring I would anticipate a lot of green over the site.  3.. Although some root material appears to be present it is very dry and appears to be composting ... that said can the state bring in some live plants now to insure some degree of success for next spring? Seeding with a wetland seed mix consisting of grasses including Annual Rye, Redtop, Rough stalked Bluegrass, and flowers including Joe-pye weed, Swamp Milk Weed, Orange Coneflower, and Cardinal Flower. is our current method of stabilization.  We want to examine how much vegetation comes in naturally by the adjacent forest.  Many of the trees and shrubs will be producing seeds this fall and they will be carried by wind into the creation areas.  We will be waiting 2 growing seasons before planting any trees.  This is based on experience and observations that we have seen at other sites.  Many times we spend thousands of dollars on trees and shrubs and find that within a few years trees and shrubs seeded by nature thrive and outgrow those we planted.  These sites are ideal for natural forest succession due to their close proximity to mature woods. 4. Holly Neck road and Back River Neck Road are not designed for such constant heavy truck traffic ... has or will the State fund resurfacing a portion of the County road after the heavy work from project is complete? Truck traffic is a short term issue on a project like this and funding For any resurfacing has not been considered. 5. It appears it was necessary to disturb some of the "non disturbance areas" and existing wetlands to access all the cells ... will the bridging material be removed and those areas be restored? All temporarily disturbed areas have been restored and stabilized. 6. What are your thoughts of leaving a very narrow walking bridge across the existing marsh to the back cell?  (something designed to discourage a motorized vehicle but reduce the impact of pedestrians as they inspect the project) No bridge will be provided. The area will be restored as it existed prior to construction.  Secondly, no one should inspect the site alone or without SHA present. The site is not land intended for public use, especially at this time and will be posted with No Trespassing signs. After the 5 years of monitoring and with Federal and State regulatory approval, SHA may consider a partnership with another agency for public access to the site..  Even at such time there will be deed and covenant restrictions which will prevent disturbance to the site. 7. This preservation area needs to be posted with numerous small signs strictly prohibiting "unauthorized motorized vehicles" (ATV's etc...) I understand SHA has a very capable sign shop ... can we discuss some ideas and get something posted on or near several of the trees along the road.   This will ease some of the concerns from the community about land management issues. Signs will be posted. HNCA COMMENTS: Monitoring property in the same area (that was recently purchased by Baltimore County for preservation) has been difficult.  The local government has not been responsive to our requests for signage and other Low cost measures.  When the police arrive they are reluctant to take enforcement action ... posting the property would be helpful.  We realize the issue of long term land management has to be resolved however as long as the State of Maryland is the steward of this fragile area we must not let the noble effort to replace fresh water wetlands be destroyed.  Perhaps we can create a land resource monitoring system that will be an example for the local government ... a successful land monitoring system they are willing and able to manage in the future.