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Annapolis, MD - Maryland^s migratory fish will have greater access to life-sustaining habitat with the creation of two new fish passages, Governor Parris N. Glendening said following actions by the Board of Public Works.
The Board approved nearly $434,000 for construction of the Wilson^s Mill and Lake Bonnie Fish Passages that will ease man-made barriers to fishes^ reproductive success.
"By easing these barriers at Wilson^s Mill and Lake Bonnie, we will move forward with our efforts to restore and preserve all of the ecosystems of the precious Chesapeake Bay," said Governor Glendening.
"These projects will enable several diverse species of fish to pass through man-made barriers and return to their traditional spawning habitats. By undertaking these projects, which are administered by Maryland^s Fish Passage Program, we hope to eventually restore our migratory fish populations to their historically high levels."
The Wilson^s Mill Dam Fish Passage will re-open about 25 miles of historic migratory fish spawning habitat along Deer Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna River in Harford County. Deer Creek is one of the most pristine streams in the state and has been closed to migrating fish for most of the last 300 years due to a series of mills and dams. A Dentil type fish ladder will be constructed around the dam at a cost of $263,755. Dentil ladders are composed of concrete chutes constructed at an angle with a series of wooden baffles placed in them. The baffles dissipate the energy of the water flowing through the fishway allowing the fish to ascend through it. Resting pools are provided as well. The project is vital for spawning hickory shad, alewife and blueback herring, white and yellow perch.
The Lake Bonnie project is on Broadway Branch at the headwaters of the Choptank River in Caroline County. The Board approved $169,900 to construct the Alaskan Steeppass fish ladder that will re-open 10 miles of traditional spawning area to alewife and blueback herring and white perch. Alaskan Steeppass fish ladders are made of aluminum and include wing-like baffles on both sides that slow the velocity of the water to a point that fish can ascend. A notch will be cut in the dam and the ladder placed in it.
Maryland^s Fish Passage Program, administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), began in 1988 and was developed in response to the 1987 Bay Agreement. One of the agreement^s priorities was to re-open habitat and remove blockages on streams to allow fish to return to traditional spawning grounds. Since its inception, the program has completed 53 projects, re-opening 292 miles of spawning habitat.
The main goal of DNR^s Fish Passage Program is to restore migratory fish populations to as near historic levels as possible. The program has operated on every major river system in the state by constructing notches and fish ladders, by breeching dams or removing barriers. Some of the program^s major works are the Union, Simpkins, Bloede and Daniels passages on the Patapsco River, Ft. Meade on the Little Patuxent River, and Van Bibber on Winters Run, a tributary of the Bush River.
DNR^s Fish Passage Program is solely funded through development mitigation settlements and grants. No general fund revenues are used in the projects.
Chaired by the Governor, the Board also is comprised of Comptroller William Donald Schaefer and Treasurer Richard N. Dixon. The Board is authorized by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.
POS funds are derived from the State^s real estate transfer tax of one-half of 1 percent of the purchase of a home or land. POS has helped Maryland acquire more than 180,000 acres for open space and recreation areas. Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded by this program.
Uploaded: 9/22/1999
Uploaded: 9/22/1999