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Saltmarsh Sparrow Pit-Stops at DMMP Sites
The saltmarsh sparrow (Ammospiza caudacuta) is an endangered species which has been losing its natural habitat due to sea-level rise. Local bird lovers can occasionally find these migratory, brightly patterned sparrows as they pass by while flying to their breeding destinations at bayside preserves with marsh habitats. They have been spotted at three Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP) containment sites: Cox Creek, Masonville Cove, and Hart-Miller Island, as well as North Point State Park and similar locations.
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The saltmarsh sparrow’s main breeding areas are Elliott Island (Dorchester County), Deal Island (Somerset County), and some smaller coastal marshes in Worcester County. Fortunately, this species is still easy to find at these locations. Once considered conspecific (the same species), saltmarsh sparrow and Nelson's sparrow have now been recognized as distinct species due to genetic differentiation, distinct songs, breeding ranges, wintering ranges, and other distinguishing characteristics. |
Photo:Saltmarsh sparrow's unusual appearances in our area are always heartwarming, as these little ones are rare. DMMP sites provide critical stopover/resting habitat for migratory birds. Photo credit: Tim Carney/MES
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Innovative Reuse and Beneficial Use of Dredged Material at BGE Spring Gardens - Project Updates
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CSI Environmental (CSIE) recently concluded a project to create two vegetated berms using geotubes at the BGE Spring Gardens site, located in the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River. The project is part of the Research and Development for Dredged Material End Use Application Projects.
The 90-foot-long upland berm and a 60-foot-long shoreline berm were constructed with geotubes to provide protection and help mitigate the impacts of heavy rains, flooding from high tides, storm surges, and sea-level rise. About 170 cubic yards of dredged sediment from the Cox Creek DMCF was used to fill the geotubes. Final conclusions, recommendations, and lessons learned on the viability of reusing dredged sediments for berm configuration (both shoreline and upland) will be included in the project’s final report.
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Photo (Above): Vegetation was planted in the upland berm. Sediment was pumped as a slurry into CSIE mini-geotextile tubes to retain sediments while allowing clear effluent water to be released from the geotextile tubes at the Cox Creek DMCF. A polymer assisted in the separation of the water and sediment.
Photo (Below): The shoreline berm is thriving at the BGE Spring Garden site after planting vegetation. Beneficial plant species were placed directly in the geotextile tubes that form both the upland and the shoreline berms, with emphasis on native plant species that enhance habitat and aesthetics.
Photo credits: Courtesy of BGE
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Eagles Chose Hawkins Point as their Home Sweet Home
Since April 2022, staff at the Hawkins Point facility have been monitoring a pair of bald eagles preparing to make an abandoned Osprey nest their home. Maryland Port Administration (MPA) and Maryland Environmental Service (MES) coordinated with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on potential access restrictions, as there are federal guidelines that protect nesting eagles.
After monitoring the eagles’ behavior for months, in March 2023, an eaglet was spotted in the nest. The MES team confirmed a second eaglet on April 28, 2023. With this, the Hawkins Point nest becomes part of a trio of confirmed eagle nests within Baltimore City, with two at MPA sites - Masonville Cove and Hawkins Point, and a third nest at Middle Branch Park confirmed in May.
Photo (Left): The two Hawkins Point eaglets are adding to the eagle comeback success story, and there are hopes that the nesting pair of eagles could become permanent nesters at the Hawkins Point facility.
Photo (Right): The elevated position of the nest makes it difficult to see inside, so observers usually need to wait for one of the adults to bring food to the nest to see the eaglets raise their heads to be fed, making them more visible. Photo credits: Tim Carney/MES.
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IRC and CAC Host Meeting to Update Community on Research and Development Projects
The joint meeting of the Innovative Reuse Committee (IRC) and Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), held on May 23, was fruitful and productive. The event provided updates on three of the seven MPA’s Research and Development for Dredged Material End Use Application Projects, which are dedicated to exploring innovative reuses for dredged material.
Engaging presentations were delivered by key project contributors, including Fastrak, Harford Industrial Materials, and Suscon Products. The Fastrak project has been actively collaborating with local partners to develop a unique blend of dewatered dredged material, mushroom compost, and sand aiming toward a formulation for growing sod. Harford and Suscon have been working diligently to use dredged sediment as a raw material source for the production of lightweight aggregate and concrete mixes of high efficacy.
 Photo: The collaborative meeting was very well attended, with over 60 participants joining the session in person or virtually. Photo credit: MPA
 Photo: Aggregate prototypes developed by Harford Industrial Materials and Suscon Products. Photo credit: MPA
 Photo: Demonstration of sod grown using the dredge material and mushroom compost substrate developed by Fastrak. Photo credit: MPA
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Visitors See Nature Thrive at Swan Creek
On May 23, the MPA held a guided tour of the Swan Creek Conservation Easement in collaboration with the Scenic Rivers Land Trust (SRLT). The SRLT is the new conservation easement holder, in partnership with the Maryland Environmental Trust. The tour was organized in collaboration with SRLT Executive Director Sarah Knebel and brought together 11 attendants, including three staff from the SRLT. Additionally, the timing of the tour coincided with peak migration season, offering participants incredible birding opportunities.
Land conservation efforts, such as the Swan Creek and the Masonville Cove Conservation Easements, play a pivotal role in preserving our natural heritage for future generations. It is through initiatives like these that the MPA actively contributes to the protection of vital ecosystems and promotes biodiversity conservation.
 Photo: The participants enjoyed a riding tour of the Cox Creek Dredge Material Containment Facility and had the chance to hike the exterior and shoreline area of the Swan Creek Conservation Easement. Photo credit: Erin Valentine/SRLT
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BPA Hosts Its Largest Hiring & Career Expo Event
On May 4, the Baltimore Port Alliance (BPA) hosted its Spring 2023 Hiring & Career Expo at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) Dundalk Campus, its largest Hiring Expo to date. Over 250 job seekers attended the event, where they had the opportunity to learn and connect with employers from the maritime, transportation, and logistics industries.
The BPA reported that 91% of job seekers who responded to a survey answered that they found job opportunities for which they will apply, and 18.2% said they were offered employment, an internship, or an interview opportunity during the event. Every employer who filled out the survey reported that they met candidates they are likely to follow up with for interview and/or offers.
Photo (Left): Attendees were able to learn about opportunities from nearly 40 exhibitors representing the public sector, private sector, and academia, including: Amazon, Baltimore City Community College, USDOT, John Connor Global Logistics, Marine Trades Association of Maryland, MDOT, MES, MDTA, Southwest, University of Maryland, US Coast Guard, Wallenius Wilhelmsen. Photo (Right) A private donor provided complimentary professional headshots for attendees to use in their applications and professional development. Photo credits: MPA
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BPA Hosts First 2023 Port of Baltimore Tour
Over the course of several years, the BPA Environmental Committee has hosted tours of the Port of Baltimore for a diverse group of community stakeholders. The tours provide visitors with a unique opportunity to learn about the port and experience a first-hand behind-the-scenes view of terminal operations. The tour begins with presentations about the port with a focus on initiatives to reduce environmental impacts from port-related activities.
Ports America Chesapeake was the host of the latest tour held on May 3, 2023. Presenters shared efforts to improve air quality by reducing diesel emissions. An open dialogue created an opportunity for guests to ask questions and for the team at the port to better understand the audience's needs and concerns. Afterward, the group toured the Seagirt and Dundalk Marine Terminals for an up-close look at how different types of cargo move efficiently through the port. A resident from the nearby Turner Station community said, “Thank you!!! This was a very informative tour. I shared my experience with my son, who was just as interested as I was.”
The BPA anticipates hosting another tour in the fall.
 Photo: Community leaders and representatives from a diverse group of organizations participated in the tour: Dundalk Renaissance Corporation, Turner Station Conservation Teams, Carnegie Plat, Greater Baybrook Alliance, Old Goucher Community Association, New South Clifton Park Community Association, New Broadway East Community Association, The Victorine Q. Adams Community Garden, The Nature Conservancy, and Baltimore Climate Resilience Coalition. Photo credit: Bennett Creighton/Ports America Chesapeake
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Masonville Cove Celebrates Earth Day
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In a series of community-focused events during the month of April, local residents and youth engaged in environmental awareness and conservation efforts at Masonville Cove, the nation’s first Urban Wildlife Refuge, to celebrate Earth Day.
On April 17, as part of the Brooklyn Park Library Earth Week Program, Masonville Cove staff hosted a beginner's birding activity. They also collaborated with Liberty's Promise on April 20 for a community clean-up event at Benjamin Franklin High School that attracted 29 volunteers, including 27 youth. Additionally, on April 22, the Masonville Cove team participated in the 2023 BenFest held at Benjamin Franklin High School. But that’s not all! Over 800 pounds of trash were collected at Masonville Cove during that month, showcasing the community’s commitment to maintaining a clean and sustainable environment.
Photo (Left): The participants of the community clean up event at Benjamin Franklin High School helped collect over 215 pounds of trash from the area. Photo credit: Matias Orrego/MES
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 Photo: Children aged 2 to 5 took part in a beginner’s birding activity at Masonville Cove as part of the Brooklyn Park Library Earth Week Birding Program. The kids engaged in birding crafts and local bird identification activities. Photo credit: Danielle Fisher/MPA
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Second CAD Pilot Project’s Planning and Study Results Update
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Following the successful implementation of the initial Confined Aquatic Disposal (CAD) Pilot Project in 2017, the MPA has undertaken further investigations to identify a suitable location for a second CAD pilot project.
While a site was preliminarily chosen southeast of the Cox Creek Dredged Material Containment Facility (DMCF), recent input from natural resource agencies and concerns raised during a recent community meeting, have prompted a pause in the project’s design and planning activities to gather additional information and ensure stakeholder feedback is included in the planning process. The MPA team remains committed to transparency, ensuring the public receives accurate information and building confidence that the second CAD pilot project will have no adverse effects on the environment or nearby residents. For more details, please refer to the CAD Factsheet.
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Photo: Noise monitoring has been conducted at the current Baltimore Harbor dredging activities near Cox Creek as part of the information gathering effort. Photo Credit: Courtesy of MES Survey
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These committee meetings are open to the public. Some meetings may be virtual or in-person. Please visit maryland-dmmp.com for details and access information for each meeting.
Hart-Miller Citizens Oversight Committee Meeting - July 18th at 5:30PM
Hart-Miller Island Land Base
2024 A Riverview Road, Essex, MD
This meeting will be held ON SITE only. The boat pick up time will be 5:30 pm at the Maryland Environmental Service’s (MES) land base. Please arrive a few minutes early, as the boat will leave promptly at 5:30 pm. RSVP to Taylor Hoskins at Thoskins@menv.com.
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
DMMP Annual Field Trip - August 18th (Rain Date August 25th)
Location TBD - Pre-registration required
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
Masonville Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting - September 12th at 5:30PM
Hybrid
Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center, 1000 Frankfurst Avenue, 21226
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
DMMP Management Committee Meeting - September 27th at 10:00AM
Hybrid - Location TBD
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
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ECO Port Newsletter is the 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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Brian Miller, Interim Acting Executive Director
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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