After a public review and comment period, the trustees selected the following ecological and recreational restoration projects to address the injuries:
Create roughly 6 acres of intertidal marsh wetland adjacent to
Washington Creek, a tributary of the Patuxent River. This wetland will be
similar to those affected by the spill and will provide habitat for juvenile
fish, shellfish, birds, and mammals; improve water quality by filtering
sediments and other pollutants from the water column; and provide storm surge
and flood protection.
Enhance shoreline by creating roughly 1 acre of beach habitat
to benefit diamondback terrapins and other organisms.
Restore ruddy duck nesting habitat and acquire perpetual
protective easements in areas of the Prairie Pothole Region of the midwestern
United States. Ruddy ducks breed in wetlands in the midwest and southern Canada
and migrate to the Chesapeake Bay during the winter. Restoring and protecting
their nesting habitats will enhance ruddy duck populations in the bay.
Create roughly 5 acres of oyster reef sanctuary in the
Patuxent River to address injuries to fish, shellfish, birds, and benthic
communities. Oyster reefs enhance benthic communities; increase aquatic food
for fish, birds, and waterfowl; and improve water quality by filtering out
sediment and pollutants from the water column.
Address the estimated 125,000 river trips affected by the
spill by
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Creating two canoe/kayak paddle-in campsites on the Patuxent River (one in
Prince George 's County and one in St. Mary's County).
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Establishing a kayak/canoe launch for people with disabilities at Greenwell
State Park in St. Mary's County.
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Improving recreational opportunities at Maxwell Hall Natural Resource
Management Area in Charles County.
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Improving the Forest Landing boat ramp and replacing the existing fishing pier
in St. Mary's County.
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Rebuilding a boardwalk and providing canoes for a river education program at
King's Landing in Calvert County.
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Establishing boat access at Nans Cove in Calvert County.