Page 20 - Port of Baltimore - December 2021

[18] The Port of Baltimore ■ December 2021
EcoPort Environmental Management at the Port of Baltimore
Recent Meeting Engaged Local Residents on Mid-Bay Project
2,144
ACRES
will be restored through the Mid-Bay Project
A November meeting provided the public with an opportunity to learn more about a project to restore two eroding Chesapeake Bay islands, James and Barren, using dredged material from navigation channels.
The meeting was held at the Madison Fire Hall in Dorchester County. There were approximately 50 residents from the area in attendance. Attendees were supportive of
the beneficial reuse of dredged material for the restoration project and appreciate the protection from shoreline erosion it will provide.
Officially known as the “Mid- Chesapeake Bay Island Ecosystem Restoration Project,” the effort
will use sediment dredged from navigation channels to create
more wildlife habitat and restore
the ecosystem of these islands, providing protection from erosion by reducing wave heights. Funding from the United States Army Corps of Engineers is available for planning and
design; however, construction funding is still needed for project implementation.
Through the proposed project,
the larger of the two islands, James Island, will have 2,072 acres restored, with 55% preserved as wetlands habitat and 45% as upland habitat.
At Barren Island, 72 acres will be restored as wetlands.
“As we work to maintain
the 50-foot channels needed to accommodate ultra-large container vessels, a vital part of the Port of Baltimore’s impact on our state’s economy, we can use that dredged material to restore some of the Chesapeake’s barrier islands that have been subject to extreme erosion,” said MDOT MPA Director of Harbor Development Kristen Fidler. “Keeping the community engaged and informed about this exciting project to restore James and Barren islands, as well as receiving feedback from local community members, is
our top priority.
MDOT MPA is working closely
with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, area residents, and community groups in Dorchester County to continuously share information and connect with partners on the Mid-Bay project.”
The Paul S. Sarbanes Ecosystem Restoration Project at Poplar
Island, located in the Bay near
Talbot County, is currently receiving dredged material from the shipping channels. Poplar Island is expected to reach capacity by approximately 2032 and will no longer be able to receive dredged material. Thus, the Mid-Bay Project must be ready to receive dredged material inflow by this time. The Mid-Bay Project is a combined 2,144-acre restoration that will provide 90 to 95 million cubic yards of dredged-material placement capacity over the 30+-year life of the project. 􏰀
MAPS COURTESY OF U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS