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Creature Feature – Turtles Observed at Masonville Cove During BioBlitz
In September, the National Aquarium returned to Masonville Cove to host its annual BioBlitz, where participants recorded many of the species inhabiting the urban wildlife refuge.
According to National Aquarium Conservation Project Manager Scott Shatto, this year's BioBlitz was particularly successful, including an eastern worm snake (Carphophis a. amoemus) recorded at Masonville for the first time. The 101 volunteers recorded 716 observations of 289 species on iNaturalist. "The littlest kids caught some of the coolest things, which was neat,” said Shatto.
The annual Masonville Cove BioBlitz, conducted since 2014, has revealed that there is a large number of aquatic turtles living in the cove and a fairly diverse number of species. This includes the Maryland state reptile, the northern diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) and other native turtle species, including the Northern red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys rubiventris) (rare), common snapping (Chelydra serpentina) (uncommon) and Eastern painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) (common).
The most common aquatic turtle species found in the cove is a non-native species, the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), which were widely sold in stores in the 60s and commonly known as the “dime-store turtle.” The red-eared sliders in Masonville Cove are descendants of released pets and are now the most common aquatic turtle species found in the cove.
 Photo: An adult, female red-eared slider, one of 25 specimens found during the 2023 BioBlitz. This non-native, central US species is well established throughout Maryland and is now considered naturalized. Photo Credit: National Aquarium
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USACE Awards the First Contract for Construction at Barren Island
Progress alert! Last September, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, awarded the first contract for construction at Barren Island as part of the Mid-Chesapeake Bay Island Ecosystem Restoration Project (Mid-Bay Project) to Coastal Design and Construction, Inc. Barren Island Phase 1 is anticipated to begin in the coming months and includes the construction of a majority of the sills and breakwaters around the island.
Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA) and USACE Baltimore District also hosted a Mid-Bay Community Poster Session on November 19th. Over 35 people stopped by to learn about the project and provide feedback to the project partners. For those who are interested in digital copies of the meeting materials, they will be available soon through the project website. For more information and to sign up to receive updates, go to the Mid-Bay Project page on the Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP) website.
 Photo: The restoration effort at Barren Island will include the addition of wetland habitat and the installation of breakwaters to protect the island remnants and adjacent seagrass beds. Restoration benefits will include reduction in storm-related shoreline erosion and wave energy within the area, as well as water quality improvements. Photo Credit: Courtesy of MDOT MPA
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Studies Assess the Use of Dredged Material for Novel Commercial Products
Photo (above): Ceramic paving eco-bricks manufactured from dredged material. Photo credit: Belden-Eco Products, LLC
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The second project from Northgate Environmental Management developed and tested sediment use in 3D printed structures for marine placement and shoreline stabilization purposes. The results of the testing were used to assess whether manufactured concrete shapes using dredged material provide adequate strength, prevent leaching of heavy metals into the environment, and encapsulate the fine-grained material.
Photo (left): Concrete shapes made from dredged material. These important demonstration projects are the result of the Research and Development Request for Proposals (RFP). Photo credit: Northgate Environmental Management, Inc.
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Revolutionary Floating Weir Design Proposed for the Masonville DMCF
The Maryland Environmental Service (MES) Engineering team on behalf of MDOT MPA is driving innovation at the Cox Creek and Masonville Dredge Material Containment Facilities (DMCF). The MES team proposed, designed, and tested a prototype of a floating weir discharge system as a replacement to fixed spillways traditionally used in a DMCF. The conventional fixed spillways are costly and complex because they require modifications and/or replacement during the multiple construction phases of a DMCF.
The pioneering design consists of multiple floating weirs as the primary intake for the discharge system, which represents a low-cost solution that will accommodate discharge from DMCFs at any dike elevation. Also, the system can easily be scaled to increase the discharge capability at sites to meet permit or operational requirements throughout the life of a DMCF.
 Photo: This drone image displays the revolutionary prototype being tested at the Cox Creek DMCF. The MDOT MPA is expected to save $3-4 million over the lifetime of the Masonville DMCF with the use of the floating weir discharge system compared to two fixed spillway structures. Photo Credit: Courtesy of MES
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Trash Wheel Family Approved to Join the International Trash Trap Network
We are thrilled to announce that the Trash Wheel Family will join the International Trash Trap Network (ITTN). Led by the Ocean Conservancy and the University of Toronto, the ITTN aims to increase global cleanup efforts and quantify the collective impact of marine debris interception based on standardized waste characterization protocols.
Trash trapping technologies not only collect litter from aquatic ecosystems, but they also allow for the quantitative measurement of efforts. Additionally, they raise awareness of the problem while being a great tool for community education and outreach. “It is great that the data from the Trash Wheels can be a part of this collaborative effort to demonstrate the global need for technologies as one piece of the solution to the problem of plastic pollution in our oceans,” said Clearwater Mills President John Kellet, the inventor of the Trash Wheel.
 Photo: The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore will share collection totals from the Trash Wheel family with the ITTN, including the debris trapped by Captain Trash Wheel at Masonville Cove. Photo credit: Tim Carney/MES
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DMMP 2022 Recap and Recommendations for 2023
The MDOT MPA’s Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP) had a very productive and successful 2022, with the achievement of many milestones and efforts. For instance, the Mid-Chesapeake Bay Island Ecosystem Restoration Project (Mid-Bay Project) received $84 million in federal construction funding. An agreement was signed to fund a shared-use path connecting Masonville Cove to the Gwynns Falls Trail and adjacent communities. Moreover, several outreach events were held, including two well-attended Hiring and Career Expos, the Annual Hart-Miller Island 5-Miler, and Youth Birding Week.
Looking ahead, the DMMP recommendations for 2023 involve leveraging partnerships that support the DMMP and the Port in addressing climate change, resiliency, and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The program also intends to prioritize environmental justice by enhancing stakeholder engagement.
Photo: The DMMP vision for 2023 related to its infrastructure and restoration projects also includes a focus on nature-based and climate-resilient solutions and the equitable distribution of benefits. Photo credit: Courtesy of MDOT MPA
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These committee meetings are open to the public. Some meetings may be virtual or in-person in accordance with COVID protocols. Please visit maryland-dmmp.com for details and to access information for each meeting. For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
Innovative Reuse Committee Meeting - February 28th at 5:30 PM
Virtual - For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com.
For questions, ecoport@marylandports.com
Masonville Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting - March 14th at 5:30 PM
Hybrid Event – For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com.
Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center
1000 Frankfurst Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21226
Management Committee Meeting - March 22nd at 10:00 AM
Virtual - for more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com.
For questions, ecoport@marylandports.com
Cox Creek Citizens Oversight Committee Meeting - April 12th at 5:30 PM
Hybrid Event - For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com.
Cox Creek Dredged Material Containment Facility Operations Building
1000 Kembo Road
Baltimore, MD 21226
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ECO Port Newsletter is the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration’s bi-monthly update of projects and programs that help the agency contribute to a thriving economy, environmental stewardship, and community partnerships. As always, we thank the many private sector businesses, government leaders, communities, and individual citizens who have helped make these achievements a reality. |
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William P. Doyle, Executive Director
MDOT Maryland Port Administration
The World Trade Center
401 East Pratt Street, Baltimore MD 21202
1-800-638-7519 / www.marylandports.com
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