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Community Corner

More Help is Needed to Save the Magothy River

Grades are in and the river is far from making the honor roll. Annual State of the Magothy Conference offers ways to get involved to help save the river.

Ben Hadden just moved to Cape St. Claire a year ago, but he’s already concerned about the health of the river in his backyard.

The news that the Magothy’s underwater grasses have dwindled to just two acres, down from more than 300 five years ago, brought him out Wednesday night to the Magothy River Association’s (MRA) Annual State of the Magothy Conference at Anne Arundel Community College.

“I’d like to enjoy the river before it dies,” said the Michigan native, who came to the event to learn how he could help. “I’d like to be able to throw a line in the water and actually catch something.”

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The likelihood of that happening has decreased in recent years, as the river’s health has steadily declined. Last year, the Magothy’s overall health score was assessed at 22 percent, for a grade of D-minus.

For Hadden and others who want to roll up their sleeves and get involved, the Magothy River Association provided a list of “homework” suggestions for individuals and community groups to help bring the river’s near-failing grade back up.

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“We can all be good stewards. We can all do a little bit to make the river better,” said Paul Spadaro, president of the MRA and Severna Park resident.

MRA’s suggestions are:

Join the Magothy River Association, a 65-year old all-volunteer advocacy group that lobbies for the health of the river and develops monitoring and restoration programs. Info: Paul Spadaro, 410-647-8772, president@magothyriver.org, www.magothyriver.org.

Become an Oyster Gardener – The MRA runs oyster restoration projects and uses volunteer divers, as well as those who canoe and kayak, to monitor oyster habitats. Contact: Dick Carey at magothyriverdiver@gmail.com.

Grow Grasses – The MRA is looking for volunteers to grow sub-aquatic vegetation (SAV), or underwater grasses, to plant in upper Mill Creek to improve water quality. Contact: Peter Bergstrom, pwbergstrom@gmail.com.

Plant a Tree – Trees absorb nitrogen, reduce air pollution, provide food and habitat to animals, and shade houses, reducing energy needs. Native trees and shrubs for planting in public places can be ordered from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ TREE-mendous Maryland program. Special prices are available through March 15. Info: Lindsay Major, 410-260-8510 or lmajor@dnr.state.md.us, www.dnr.maryland.gov/forests/treemendous.  Homeowners can obtain a coupon at www.trees.maryland.gov worth $25 off the purchase of a tree valued at $50 or more at participating retail nurseries and garden centers. 

Install a Rain Garden – The Manhattan Beach community reduced runoff from one of its community beaches to near zero. To learn ways to reduce stormwater runoff in your yard or neighborhood, contact the Anne Arundel County RainScaping Program, www.rainscaping.org.

Shrink your Lawn – to reduce your use of fertilizer, lawn chemicals, water and gas for mowing, increase habitat and food for animals, and reduce harmful runoff into streams and creeks. Info: www.dnr.state.md.us/criticalarea/pdfs/BackyardMakeover.pdf.

Maintain Your Septic System – keep up regular maintenance to reduce nitrogen runoff into groundwater and nearby streams. For information on septic system upgrades, go to www.aahealth.org/a2z.asp?id+208.

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint – buy energy efficient cars and appliances and electric-powered yard tools to minimize energy use and reduce greenhouse gas and nitrogen emissions.

Other topics discussed and on display at the Magothy Conference included:  

Join the Watershed Stewards Academy, an initiative of Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works and Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center that trains community leaders in ways to reduce the negative impacts of stormwater runoff. Info: Pat Neidhardt, Magothy River Master Watershed Steward, 410-212-0685, patneidhardt@gmail.com.

Volunteer with NOAA’s Phytoplankton Monitoring Network to report harmful algae. Contact: Matt Brim, 843-762-8656, matt.brim@noaa.gov, ahbr.noaa.gov/pmn.

Speak out on Comprehensive Rezoning – learn more about requests submitted for the county’s once-every-decade Comprehensive Rezoning process. Citizens and groups can voice concerns to their county council representative or at public hearings in the fall.

For more information, go to: www.aacounty.org/PlanZone/LongRange/CompZone.cfm.

Or visit the Anne Arundel County Growth Action Network web site at www.growthaction.net.

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