Environmental Committee
Please join us in getting Environmental initiatives moving!
To get involved and help make a difference, or for more information about the Eastport Environmental Committee, contact Cara Visconti at caravisconti@hotmail.com.
The Eastport Environmental Committee (EEC) is a group of involved residents who are seeking to implement environmental improvements to our community. Our goal is to design, finance and build environmental projects throughout Eastport which will help stop the introduction of pollutants into our neighboring waters, mitigate shoreline erosion and enhance our public spaces.
Its mission is to create a sustainable and vibrant community action group that will evolve and continually look for new and innovative solutions to our environmental problems.
The EEC is forming a group of interested parties to continue this initiative. its goal is to create an immediate, intermediate, and long term plan to:
- Identify local street end parks in Eastport that require attention and develop a priority list for repair and stormwater run-off mitigation.
- W ork with residents and businesses to control run-off from downspouts and impervious surfaces such as parking lots.
- Partner with other local conservancy groups and government agencies to gather information and experience.
- D evelop specific projects and apply for grant funding from Public and Private sources’
While there have been exhaustive discussions and studies over the past 30 years about the health of the Chesapeake Bay, there has been little success in combating its decline, as evidenced by the failing grade reports given by various governmental and environmental action groups.
Several years ago a local initiative was designed and constructed to help the health of the Chesapeake Bay by turning street end parks in Annapolis (specifically Eastport) into natural filtration barriers. The idea was to create water catch basins at the end of streets which dumped into the Bay, filtering water through a natural buffer to “clean” the storm water run-off, removing sediment and toxins (automobile by-products, etc.) before it was sent it back to the Bay. One such park was created at the Spa Creek end of Fourth Street and another in Annapolis on Compromise Street at the foot of the parking lot and tennis courts behind the Annapolis Elementary School.
Be an Oyster Gardener!
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in partnership with several water steward organizations, is encouraging waterfront property owners to become oyster gardeners. The Spa Creek Conservancy is sharing the good news that DNR is including Spa Creek in its Marylanders Grow Oysters (MGO) Project.
The purpose of this program is to grow spat for one year and then plant them in sanctuary sites where the oysters enrich the local ecology.
Did you know that a mature oyster can filter as many as 60 gallons per day?!
As you may have read in the news, this free program will provide small cages filled with dozens of young oysters called spat. The cages will be be suspended under piers throughout our creek along with many of the other rivers and tributaries of the Chesapeake. You are encouraged to become a successful oyster grower while making a contribution to the creation of a living oyster reef in your own back yard. For general information about the MGO program see www.oysters.maryland.gov.
The Conservancy is inviting two levels of volunteers to participate. Needed are owners (or renters) of piers on the creek, and volunteers to help distribute the cages of spat.
These are not mutually exclusive, you can be both! The Conservancy anticipates that cages will be available the first week in August; the exact date will be announced in mid-July. You will be notified that the cages are ready for pickup at a location within the city, and at the time of pickup. You will receive a short briefing and information package on how to care for your oysters.
If you are interested in joining the Conservancy in this exciting work, or if you have questions, please contact Burnell Vincent burnellv@verizon.net.
For more information see: www.spacreek.org.
Rain Barrel Lesson - The Spa Creek Conservancy is looking for Good Creek Neighbors to get the word out on their blocks, at their end of the streets. The word is about how we can all help the health of our creeks – Back and Spa – and the Bay by the very easy installation of rain barrels on our downspouts. Consider hosting a brief gathering at your home or business so members of the Spa Creek Conservancy can discuss the importance of rain barrels and how easy it is to install them. Be a Good Creek Neighbor. Help the environment one rain barrel at a time! Contact us at rainbarrel@spacreek.org to volunteer. For more information see spacreek.org.
Hazardous Household Waste - Dispose of it Responsibly
Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Days provide opportunities for County residents to safely dispose of products containing harmful chemicals. Unless used and disposed of according to directions, these household chemicals present a threat to the environment. Special handling is required to dispose of them properly. Materials collected are recycled, or disposed in hazardous waste landfills or incinerators. A licensed private company under contract to the County provides these services. Read more on the County website.
Handy flyer of 2008 Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Days Schedule
Some ideas for helping to keep our Creeks, and therefore the Bay, clean and healthy
From the Spa Creek Conservancy, here are some everyday things you can do to be a good neighbor to Spa Creek and Back Creek. From caring for your boat, car, and lawn in the right way to taking simple steps to reduce runoff... we can all do our part to help.
How to Wash and Service Your Car for a Clean Creek
Keep Trash, Oil, Solvents and Toxics Out of Our Creek
How to Control Erosion/Restore Your Shoreline with Natural Vegetation and Habitat
Bring Back Life to Our Creek's Shoreline
How to Manage Your Lawn, Garden, Pets & Work Site for a Clean Creek
Make Our Creek Fishable & Swimable
How to Wash and Service Your Boat for a Clean Creek
Keep Trash, Oil, Solvents and Toxics Out of Our Creek
How to Reduce/Improve Runoff from your Roof, Driveway, Parking Lot
Keep Our Creek Clean & Alive!