The Magothy River Association – 2011 News and Happenings
· State of the Magothy Meeting – February Presenting the 2010 Magothy Report Card
· MRA’s ASPIRE Volunteer for 2010 – Charlie Nolte
· Participants in Earth Day Event @ Severna Park Middle School – April
· Participants in Environmental Fair @ Broadneck High School & Bodkin Elementary School - April
· Time Capsule Project- January through June Local students and others interested submitted their views and contributions to improving the Magothy River now, for people in the future to see. The capsule was submerged on a Magothy Oyster Reef on June 12, 2011, Magothy River Day, and later secured there by the MRA Dive Team.
· Grasses (SAV) Growing and Planting for Mill Creek- January through June In association with Girl Scout Troop #57, grasses grown indoors were planted as part of the Mill Creek Restoration, funded by Anne Arundel County.
· Fifth year of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) transect monitoring, which helps with the annual Baywide aerial SAV survey done by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science - -August
· MRA participates in AA County Board of Appeals Hearing on Dobbins – May A 2010 Court Ruling determined that MRA, and other similar organizations, have the right to participation before the Board. The Board was ordered to reopen the Dobbins hearing and reconsider the evidence.
· MRA did not oppose Ferry Point Restaurant- Stating its belief in public access to the river, MRA did not oppose the replacement of a restaurant at Ferry Point during a County hearing.
· Magothy River Day at Dobbins Island Anchorage – June The 4th Annual, celebrating the 404th anniversary of our River’s founding and the first year for official sponsors of the event. Note our sponsors at the bottom of the back page.
· MRA participates again in the Severna Park 4th of July Parade and Festival with the theme of “Land Preservation and River Access”.
· MRA Organizes Awareness and Petition Drive regarding the AA County Comprehensive Rezoning Process- June through September Concerns about the Rezoning process in other parts of the County prompted the MRA Government Affairs Committee to take quick action. Information was gathered in short order, a domain name and webpage were developed, signs were printed and more than 600 electronic petitions were received from local residents and beyond. Many of the these petitions were presented to County Council members and several face to face meetings were held to present the case for redevelopment of existing areas and cautious development of existing open space to preserve the environment and our current quality of life in the Magothy River Watershed.
· MRA actively and formally supported County Council Bill 79-11 for a Stormwater Fee to improve the County’s stormwater management
· Beachwood Park becomes a focus for Magothy River access – January through December Throughout the year MRA volunteers met with County representatives and developed plans for a nature trail/kayak access path at the Park. A Friends of Beachwood Park group has been formed under the MRA and generous donations by MRA volunteers and others along with existing MRA funds have already dedicated more than $2,000 for this effort. During the fall, two volunteer cleanups were done at the Park and a third is expected this spring. We hope to begin the field work in 2012.
· Water Quality Monitoring Programs – April through October (16 sites, 3 groups)
· New MRA Phytoplankton Testing Program implemented- May through November
· MRA participates again in the Marylanders Grows Oysters Program
· A number of MRA members and friends are Watershed Stewards Check out the Watershed Stewards Academy (http://www.aawsa.org/). See “From My Backyard to Our Bay” on the MRA Home Page (near the top left)
· Little Island Case (Daryl Wagner) continues to occupy time for MRA volunteers – No decisions have been made regarding penalties in the construction of a house, pool & lighthouse, without permits, on Little Island. MRA continues to monitor this case and provides input to various parties as the need arises.
· MRA Picnic & Annual Meeting- September After several years at either the Grachur Club or Kinder Farm Park, the MRA Picnic for 2011 was held at the Twin Harbors Beach in Arnold. Our thanks to that community for the loan of a wonderful spot.
· MRA Pet Oyster dies of natural causes – The MRA oyster, who has been a willing participant (we think) in many a fair or festival and has been petted by numerous kids along the way has departed this world. No teeth marks of any kind were evident.
THINGS WE’D LIKE TO DO IN 2012
We didn’t quite get to these in 2011 and may need a few more volunteers, or a sponsor.
· Steam Cleanup along Old Jones Station Rd, behind the 7-11 in Arnold
· MRA Car Window Decals
· Participating in the Kinder Park Fall Festival Kinder Park is in the Magothy Watershed
· Bricks or Markers on various trails Commemorating Magothy River Day and the Time Capsule submerged this year.
Magothy River Day Sponsors 2011 - * Ferry Point Marina * The Nautical Wheelers Band * Clement Hardware * South Shore Marine * Hague Quality Water * Fishbones Bait & Tackle * Note: All photos - Beachwood Park …… Find this online at magothyriver.org