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MAGIC

Maryland Alliance for Greenway Improvement and Conservation

August 11, 2000

Secretary Sara Taylor-Rogers

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Tawes State Office Building

Annapolis, MD 20770

Ref: Araby Bog in Charles County

Dear Secretary Taylor-Rogers:

MAGIC appreciates your concern for the Araby Bog and its "rich species diversity" as referenced in J. L. Hearn’s letter of July 20, 2000 which was reviewed by DNR. While we agree that Araby Bog may not fit the definition of a "bog" as referenced in COMAR 26.23.01.01, it does fit the definition of a "McAtee Magnolia Bog" as defined by W. L. McAtee in 1918. This has now been confirmed by multiple sources. I have enclosed a copy of a letter received from Jim Rosenstock, who is a Resource Professional for the National Park Service, and is responsible for preserving and protecting the only McAtee Magnolia Bog owned by the Park Service. He describes Araby Bog as among the "rarest and most sensitive of the surviving wetland plant communities on the East Coast." There are only a few of these bogs still known to exist (Attachments 1 & 2), and several of those that were previously found have been destroyed. The remaining "McAteean" bogs should be given special attention by MDE and DNR and designated as "Wetlands of Special State Concern".

A complete survey of the plant community of this rare bog needs to be accomplished. A preliminary survey has confirmed Araby as a true McAteean Magnolia Bog. This is readily apparent by observing the extensive sphagum moss, sweet bay Magnolias, uncommon Poison Sumac plants, and many characteristic ericaceous shrubs.

The permit previously granted by MDE to the developers of Falcon Ridge allows a sewer line to be cut through the stream valley below this bog. This sewer line will run alongside an old mill pond which contains enormously large snapping turtles whose age could well be greater than 100 years old. Their fate may be sealed by this approved construction. I hope MDE and DNR will examine this situation and determine how these turtles will be protected. The developer’s plans have also revealed a second sewer line may be planned which will cut through the bog itself. This would be a tragedy and must be stopped.

We have previously provided documentation to MDE and DNR from the developers of Falcon Ridge and Hunter’s Brook which shows these properties are being developed jointly (Attachment 3). It is obvious that permits for one project should not be approved without considering the impact of both developments. We again ask you stop permitting this construction. All factors need to be examined and weighed.

Sincerely,

Robert DeGroot

The following Alliance Partners agree with and support this letter: