Page Back

MAGIC

Maryland Alliance for Greenway Improvement and Conservation

March 14, 2000

Terrance W. Clark

Chief, Nontidal Wetlands and Waterways Division

2500 Broening Highway

Baltimore, MD 21224

Ref: Araby Bog in Charles County-Nontidal Wetlands Number: 98-NT-0211/199863817

Dear Mr. Clark:

It has been brought to MAGIC’s attention that a forest in Charles County is proposed to be cut down and developed as two subdivisions - one called Falcon Ridge (117.3 acres) and the other Hunter's Brooke (191.07 acres). Further, we understand the Araby Bog sits directly between these two subdivisions and any development would have an adverse effect on the bog. The Araby bog is a magnolia bog of unusual size and quality, and the hydrology that sustains the bog would be very significantly degraded by the proposed development. Magnolia bogs are a recognizable habitat that occur only in a limited range of the mid-Atlantic, and hence have been tentatively assigned a global ranking by The Nature Conservancy. We are fortunate to have a few remaining.

Today, the entire property is wooded, with interior dwelling birds and lots of wildlife living in them. Even in last year’s drought, the area of the bog remained saturated. The low areas on the steep slopes going down to the stream remained so wet last summer you could sink in above your ankles. There are a lot of steep slopes on this property, and a number of streams crisscross through it.. The site drains into a part of Mattawoman Creek that sees the greatest usage by spawning alewife and blueback herring. Brook lamprey have been observed spawning in the streams, and Golden Club grows in the Araby bog stream, indicating high quality. There is also a natural pond on the property that is intensively used by breeding amphibians and may qualify as a vernal pool. .

The developer proposes to cut away the steep slopes, and use fill dirt in the valleys to level this property for placement of the maximum numbers of houses. We understand there was a public hearing held on March 14, 1999, concerning a wetlands permit, and MDE was flooded with letters protesting these developments. We also understand a wetlands permit has not yet been granted for development of this land.

MAGIC would like to protest the granting of any permits that would endanger this bog. We are also concerned this area might provide the only wildlife connection between Mattawoman Wildlands to Chapmans Forest, the Mattawoman Natural Environment Area, and the Myrtle Grove Wildlife Refuge so the movement of the animals between these areas would be destroyed. This would be in conflict with the "green infrastructure" program announced by Governor Glendening in the fall which is designed to provide permanent wildlife connections between parks and other protected areas in Maryland. Please let us know as soon as possible what is happening with the permits for these developments. Any development that might destroy or endanger this bog, or disrupt wildlife movement should not be allowed.

Sincerely,

Robert DeGroot

The following Alliance Partners agree with and support this letter: