Aquatic sensitive areas input needed

by Dave Wilson. (Wilson is the public outreach coordinator for the Maryland Coastal Bays Program.)

The Maryland Coastal Bays Program is looking for public input on the coastal bays’ aquatic sensitive areas to help balance recreational use with protection of the resources which support that use.

For the past five years, coastal bays scientists, fishermen, local business owners and local, state and federal agency personnel have been working together to identify sensitive aquatic areas in Maryland’s coastal bays. These areas include bird nesting sites, crab overwintering areas, various spawning beds, elver runs, seagrass beds, pristine locations and areas of heavy boat and personal watercraft activity.

To help determine the appropriate measures to reduce the risk of impacts, the Coastal Bays Program with help from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Salisbury University, will be holding four public meetings beginning this month. Education of residents and tourists will also be a primary goal in the endeavor. Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to provide input.

Those unable to attend can fill out a survey provided at : www.salisbury.edu/community/pace/sensitiveareas. The draft report and maps can also be viewed at this site. The maps provide sensitive resource locations for a variety of crab, fish, shellfish, and avian species. The questionnaire asks where respondents see conflicts in the bays, which educational strategies would reduce the conflicts, and inquires about additional problems and solutions.

The work comes about as a result of a call in the Coastal Bays Management Plan for protecting long-term recreational activities in the coastal bays by conserving the natural resources which support recreation. The staples of crabbing and fishing in the bays are a key concern and clean water is an imperative for a robust tourism industry.

The Sensitive Areas Management Team hopes to identify all key conflict areas by the end of the year and to begin implementation of conservation strategies next year. Funding for the project is also being provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Meetings will take place Wednesday, Aug. 20 and Thursday Sept. 11 at the Ocean Pines Library, Tuesday Sept. 16 at the Worcester County Government Center in Snow Hill, and Thursday, Sept. 25 at the Ocean City Convention Center. All meetings are at 7 p.m.

Those with additional questions may call 410-677-5045.