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Canton Railroad Invests in Cleaner Air for Baltimore
Canton Railroad has replaced two diesel freight switchers built in 1952 with new diesel, near-zero, Tier 4 emission standards freight switchers. The previous switchers were more than 70 years old, with unregulated emissions and averaging more than 2,600 hours of use per year.
The $4,750,000 investment in the new freight switchers is part of Maryland's Volkswagen Mitigation Plan, which used $3,800,000 from Maryland's Volkswagen Trust Funds and $950,000 in matching funds from Canton Railroad. Thanks to the new freight switchers, nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are estimated to be reduced by 15.35 tons per year, advancing MPA’s commitment to environmental justice.
Canton Railroad, a company solely owned by Maryland Transportation Authority, serves the Port of Baltimore and connects with CSX and the Norfolk Southern railways.
 Photo: Canton Railroad’s two new freight switchers will help reduce emissions in the Baltimore area.
Photo by George Pitz
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Terrapin Education Research Partnership Brings Turtles to Maryland Classrooms
Several Maryland students are soon going to have some cold-blooded classmates!
Through the Port of Baltimore’s Terrapin Education Research Partnership (TERP), 175 juvenile turtles hatched at Poplar Island will be distributed to schools around the state and reared by the students in classrooms from fall through the following spring.
This program creates hands-on experiences for the students while fostering a love and appreciation for the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay and the wildlife that call it home!
“Students learn to care for and monitor the turtles, giving them a strong connection to the local environment, as well as giving the turtles a head start in life. Turtles in the TERP program skip their hibernation, giving them time to grow larger than wild turtles of their same age,” said Environmental Specialist Emily Sperling.
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Latino Conservation Day: Fun for Everyone from “the Abuelitas to the Grandkids”
On July 30, 2023, Masonville Cove hosted Latino Conservation Day, a celebration of the Hispanic Access Foundation’s nationally recognized Latino Conservation Week. According to Swathi Ayyagari from the National Aquarium, the event was designed to encourage everyone, especially the Latino community, to enjoy and explore public lands and to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
“It was a sight, seeing all the families, from the abuelitas to the grandkids, participating in the activities during the day and exploring the beauty of the space together. No one is ever too old or young to enjoy nature and discover its wonders,” said Patterson Park Audubon Center Senior Coordinator of Community Programs Jorge Abraham Lopez Trejo.
“The majority of our community members arrived on buses provided by two lead organizations, and this, for me, really highlighted the dire need for equitable public transportation that connects our people to green spaces in a safe and dignified way,” said Valerie Navarro Pasión, the Baltimore outing leader for Latino Outdoors.
Participants, including 118 Latino visitors, enjoyed boat rides, archery, fishing, birding, arts and crafts, nature journaling, a terrapin exhibit, and outreach tables.
Latino Conservation Day event partners included Templo de Albanza Y Restauracion, Patterson Park Audubon Center, Latino Outdoors, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Chesapeake Conservancy, Patapsco Heritage Greenway, and Patuxent Research Refuge.
Photo by National Aquarium
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Become a “Friend of Masonville Cove”
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Did you know that Masonville Cove, the nation's first Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership, has an official friends group to support this vital neighborhood green space?
“The establishment of Friends of Masonville Cove heralds a new dawn of unity and a gathering place for a dynamic, vibrant and inclusive community of individuals who strive to preserve the natural beauty bestowed upon their community,” said Greater Baybrook Alliance (GBA) Environmental Justice Organizer Ralinda E. Wimbush. “This dedicated group presents a platform that unites residents, providing them invaluable opportunities to partake in educational programs tailored to both children and adults alike. The Friends of Masonville Cove also represents a gathering point for social events aimed at fostering camaraderie and strengthening community bonds.”
Learn how you can become a Friend of Masonville Cove by emailing parks@greaterbaybrookalliance.org.
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Photo: Nestled amidst the industrialized Baybrook Peninsula, Masonville Cove showcases the extraordinary transformative power of conservation and ecological impact. With lush greenery, a flourishing ecosystem, and protected habitats, this refuge acts as a haven for a diverse array of plants and animals, serving as a crucial ecological landmark within the community.
Photo by GBA
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Masonville Cove Partners with Local Youth-Serving Organizations
The summer has ended, but education and outreach activities carry on at and around Masonville Cove! After successfully hosting youth leaders from Community Law in Action (CLIA) this summer, the Cove is continuing to engage young people through partnerships with community nonprofits in South Baltimore, like City of Refuge and Elev8 Freedom Schools, among others.
Since the Environmental Education Center opened its doors in 2009, the Cove has aimed to provide equal opportunity for young Baltimoreans to connect with their environment. Today, that goal is still at the center of the Cove’s operations. Reflecting on CLIA’s visit, Executive Director Rashad Staton shared, “For the majority of our youth leaders, this was their first time visiting this particular area of South Baltimore and learning of ... its valuable role in preserving wildlife and its connectivity to environmental justice and beautification.”
To this end, Masonville Cove is ever expanding their partnerships with local youth-serving organizations. To get involved or plan a visit, contact events@masonvillecove.org.
 Photo: As part of Leadership Baltimore, Katrina Jones (MPA Harbor Development) was invited to participate in the Freedom School summer program at Arundel Elementary in Cherry Hill.
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You’re Invited! Cox Creek DMCF Open House
The MPA invites you to come and explore the expansion of the Cox Creek Dredged Material Containment Facility (Cox Creek DMCF) the 5th Annual Cox Creek Open House to be held on October 21, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Cox Creek Open House is a special day offering free access to this unique facility with 126 acres of preserved wetlands. Enjoy a riding tour of the dredged material containment facility to see the expansion underway and see the plans for the new Swan Creek Nature Trail. Enjoy some fishing or take a self-guided birding tour of the adjacent Swan Creek Wetland. There will be much to do and see for all ages.
Cox Creek DMCF Open House
Saturday, October 21, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
1000 Kembo Road, Curtis Bay, MD 21226
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com/cox-creek-open-house-2023 or contact ecoport@marylandports.com or (410) 385-4465.
 Photo: The Cox Creek DMCF Open House will include interactive, family-friendly activities such as “Touch-A-Truck,” live animals, educational games, arts and crafts, and the opportunity to observe and learn about wildlife.
Photo by Katrina Jones/MPA
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Checking in on the Dredged Material Management Program’s Achievements at Mid-Year
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With many ambitious goals set for this year and beyond, the MPA has released the 2023 Mid-Year Report on the Dredged Material Management Program. Read about the progress on the recommendations that the DMMP is pursuing in 2023 in the overall effort to further support the Port of Baltimore in achieving successes that will benefit our region economically, environmentally, and socially for decades.
The report lays out the goals and progress to date at mid-year on important program priorities, including funding and policy, planning and operations, and outreach and education. With a few months left to go in 2023, the DMMP is on track for another great year working with its incredible partners.
View the report in its entirety at maryland-dmmp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/DMMP_Mid_Year_Report_2023_Final.pdf
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Property Acquired for Innovative Reuse Activities and Future Cargo/Maritime Use
An average of more than 4.7 million cubic yards of sediment –an amount that would fill the Raven’s Stadium at least twice -- is dredged annually from the shipping channels leading to the Port of Baltimore. The challenge then becomes what to do with the dredged material. One solution, innovative reuse (IR), repurposes the dredged material for other uses, such as construction materials or shoreline berms.
Last year, Maryland’s Board of Public Works approved a purchase agreement for MPA to acquire a 140-acre property from Tronox, a former industrial facility located next to the Cox Creek Dredged Material Containment Facility (Cox Creek DMCF). The property will be utilized by MPA to conduct large-scale innovative reuse projects , which is a key component in securing the long-term success and sustainability of the Port of Baltimore.
The property was part of a larger parcel of land known as the Hawkins Point Plant Site that was used for the manufacturing and packaging of titanium dioxide. Due to the presence of residual environmental contamination from industrial activity, MPA, Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), and Tronox signed an Administrative Consent Order to ensure that the site is cleaned up and fully remediated to meet current environmental standards. Although MPA did not contribute to the environmental conditions at the property that occurred before the December 2022 purchase, the agency has agreed to help address the environmental needs along with Tronox over the next ten years, which will return the former industrial site to productive use and result in substantial long-term cost savings for the state. MPA is currently developing a master site development plan.
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Photo: The remediation will be phased to allow incremental site development and MPA will start processing dredged material from the Cox Creek DMCF for innovative reuse starting in late 2024. Based on today’s cost per cubic yard to manage dredged material, this would result in over a $200 million savings to the State over a 20-year planning horizon, far outweighing the costs of MPA participating in addressing environmental conditions on the property.
Google Earth Image
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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 access information for each meeting. For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
Cox Creek Citizens Oversight Committee Meeting - October 11th at 5:30 PM
Cox Creek Dredged Material Containment Facility Operations Building
1000 Kembo Road
Baltimore, MD 21226
Innovative Reuse Committee Meeting - October 17th at 5:30 PM
Cox Creek Dredged Material Containment Facility Operations Building
1000 Kembo Road
Baltimore, MD 21226
Cox Creek Open House - October 21st at 10:00 AM
Cox Creek Dredged Material Containment Facility Operations Building
1000 Kembo Road
Baltimore, MD 21226
Cox Creek Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting - November 8th at 6:00 PM
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
DMMP Management Committee Meeting - November 15th at 10:00AM
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
DMMP Executive Committee Meeting - December 4th at 2:00 PM
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
DMMP Annual Committee Meeting - December 7th Time: TBD
MedStar Harbor Hospital
3001 Hanover Street
Baltimore, MD 21225
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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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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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