Special project report Charles County

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

SPECIAL PROJECT REPORT

-CHARLES COUNTY'

CONTRACT C-2-78440 (87)
(July 1, 1986 October'31, 1.987)
y

I. Description of Task:

The overall objective, of the Special Project -is to protect
the environmental integrity of the Zekiah Swamp and address as-
.sociated'water quality, water quantity, flood mitigation, and
stream valley protection' concerns.

The scope of 'work for the Special Project, as revised by
Contract'Modification #2,,, is-as'follows:

The purpose of this work task is to facilitate coordin-
ation of the development of the Zekiah/Wicomico Scenic
River Plan, which will be a joint effort between Charles
County and;the State Sicenic Rivers Program. The County
will identify local issues of concernt assist in the
coordination of the public hearing, provide technical
assistance to the State "Scenic River Program and identify
the areas. of responsibility of the participating state
and local agencies."

II. Background

The Zekiah Swamp is a 20-mile long, 3/4 mile wide hardwood
Swamp, largest in the State of Maryland. The Zekiah and its
drainage basin are located primarily in Charles County.

The Swamp has been recognized for its natural resources and
environmental sensitivity by the Smithsonian Institute, which
gave it the highest ecological rating of all natural areas in the
Chesapeake Bay Region (1975); the Maryland Department of Natural
Resources, which designated the Zekiah/Wicomico as a Maryland
Scenic River in 1975; and the Department of State Planning (with
the concurrence of Charles County) which designated it as an Area
of Critical State Concern in 1981.

In 1983, the Charles County Planning Office, Maryland DNR,
the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, Soil Conservation
Service and several other Agencies formed a committee to coor-
dinate research and other activities. Tri-County Council, with
input and assistance from Charles County, prepared a summary of
information and management measures as recommended by the tech-
nical Ad-Hoc Committee.

In order to elicit the concerns of the citizens of Charles
County regarding the Zekiah Swamp, and to build support for
management measures to protect the environmental integrity of the
Swamp, the Charles County Department of Planning and Zoning
prepared an informational brochure (attached) and slide program

-(see attached text) which highlight the unique features and spe-
cial-values of the Zekiah-Swamp.

'The brochure and slide program were prepared and presented
to the 'Charles, County Planning -Commission in July of,. 1986;. which
'endorsed the'proposed management measures, and recommended that a,-
'local. 'advisory. board be-formed to assi'st with the specific..ap"
plication' of measures to. protect,the Swamp. The brochures-were
distributed@ to.' "the -'Ad-hoc Committee distribution list and. are
made available in County of f ices and at public meetings. The,
slide program- has been shown to a number of groups and,
.,individuals; including the Kiwanis Club, Southern, Maryland
Audobon Society (see attached program), and the Charles County
Business and Professionai Women. A condensed version of the
slide program was incorporated into a natural resource overview
of the County, which was presented at six Comprehensive Planning
forums held throughout the County in the Spring of 1987. The
.-Department' also prepared a public 'display for. the County Court-
house.

Staff has. noted an..increased interest and awareness of the
values of the Zekiah Swamp, particularly at public hearings in-
volving development activities which are perceived to have.an ad.!------
verse impact to the Swamp. For example, at a public hearing.held
,in December, 1986, regarding a proposed tire-shredding facility
within the- Zekiah watershed, a number of concerns were expressed.
by the public about potential adverse impacts to -the Swamp. In
f act, one of - the opponents, evidently suspecting - that the County
had a vested interest in the facility, waved a Zekiah brochure in
the air and implored the -County Environmental Planner (who had
prepared the brochure) to read it - "you might learn something".
Also, in a public survey and issue identification workshop con-
ducted in the Spring of 1987, protection of the Zekiah Swamp was
frequently included in the list of environmental issues and con-
cerns. Overall, protection of the environment was the second
.rated concern of the Charles County citizens who participated in
the survey.

The Charles County Planning Commission, at the recommenda-
tion of the County Planning Office, has instituted a policy of
requiring a natural buffer between residential subdivisions and
the Zekiah Swamp. This policy was first.utilized in April, 1987,
for Zekiah Valley, a 209 acre, 32 lot subdivision adjacent to the
Swamp. The buffer width was determined utilizing the formula 50
feet + 4 x % slope. Also, septic percolation fields were not al-
lowed within the buffer.

III. Coordination with the State Scenic Rivers Program

The original Special Project scope of work called for the
County to develop a Management Plan for the Zekiah Swamp. To in-
itiate this project, the County accomplished the public education
and participation efforts described above. In addition, the
County prepared base maps delineating the floodplain and wetlands
of the Swamp, for potential use in delineating a management area
for inclusion in the County Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Program.
(A

A Scenic River Plan, developed by the State Scenic Rivers
Program, -is - required by State Law for all designated Scenic
Rivers. Through discussion with the former administrator of the
Programf staff learned that a significant. amount of background
-and analysis had been.performed by the State in the early 19801s,
and, a Zekiah/Wicomico Scenic River Advisory Board had been
formed'. However, due to internal-problems, the.Plan had not been
completed; in fact, the Board had never, met. Furthermore, the.
County learned in the Spring of 1987 that it -was the@ intent of
the Maryland Scenic -River Board to revive the Zekiah/Wicomico
Scenic River planning effort, and that it was to be the first
priority for new Scenic River Plans.

Therefore, in order to avoid duplication of effort, and to
facilitate coordination between the County and State in the
development of a locally supported Scenic River Management Plan
for the Zekiah Swamp, the County is working with the State Scenic
Rivers Programl rather than developing a separate Management
Plan.

County staff met with Mr. Derek Richerson of the Scenic
Rivers Program in July, 1987, to plan a public forum in which to
elicit public issues and concerns specific to the Zekiah/Wicomico
River. Staff gave Mr. Richerson a mailing list of Zekiah land-
owners to use for the meeting, which was held 8/25/87 at the
Izaac Walton League (sponsors of the meeting) in Hughesville.
Staff opened the meeting by presenting the Zekiah slide program
to establish a background for the 35 citizens who participated.
Also speaking were Mr. Richerson, representatives of the Maryland
Department of the Environment (208 Water Quality Planner) and the
Maryland Environmental Trust. Following is a partial list of
issues, concerns, and recommendations which were discussed at the
meeting:

� Impact of St. Charles development and spray lagoons.

� Faulkner fly ash storage facility - discussed at length,
concern about acid runoff and impact to anadromous fish.

� Dredging from hydraulic clamming and other activities.

� Swamp acquisition - endorsed but should be voluntary

� Sand and Gravel operations - what is impact on water
tables, from sediment.

� Growth impacts within the watershed, inappropriate land
uses in the watershed.

� Need to buffer between Swamp and development.

� Air pollution from Chalk Point.

Staff met with management personnel from PEPCO on 9/1/87 to
tour the flyash facility and discuss the procedures they are
using to protect the Swamp from runoff. Also on 9/1/87, staff
met with the Charles Soil Conservation District Board of Super-
visors to discuss their concerns relative to development within

the watershed. On 10/27/87, Mel Bridgett, Director of County
Parks and Recreation,@met with staff to discuss the potential for
a-Zekiah Stream Valley acquisition program. Mr. Bridgett would
like to use Program Open Space funds, for this purpose, and,
described similiar,programs in other Counties.

The* County Commissioners have provided, a of nominees
for the Zek-iah/Wico'mico Scenic River Advisory Board to the
Maryland Scenic Rivers Board, including, Kevin Mciunkin. and -David
Cooksey of-the County Planning and Zoning Department.

IV. -.Summary

The purpose of.the Special Project is to facilitate the
development of the Zekiah/Wicomico Scenic River Plan. In a
general sense, the County has helped to lay the foundation for a
successful, locally supported Zekiah/Wicomico Scenic River Plan
through its efforts to increase public awareness of the value and
sensitivity of the Zekiah Swamp. More specifically, the County
has, through public meetings and surveys, identified local issues
and concerns relative to the Zekiah Swamp; has assisted the
Scenic Rivers Program in'the coordination of a public meeting by
providing.a mailing list and preparing and presenting an informa-
tional overview; and has provided-, and will continue to provide,.
technical assistance. to the Scenic Rivers. Program through the
participation of staff on the Local Scenic River Advisory Board
in the development, and implementation of a Scenic River Plan..
Staff has met with a number of State and Local Agencies, includ-
ing - the County Parks and Recreation Department,, the members of
the Zekiah Ad-Hoc Committee, and the Maryland Environmental Trust
in order to identify potential areas of responsibility for im-
plementing the Zekiah Scenic Rivers Plan.

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

1. Zekiah brochure.

2. Script from Zekiah slide program

3. Program from Southern Maryland Audobon Society meeting

4. Summary of meeting between Jacquelyn Magness and Mel
Bridgett, Director of County Parks and Recreation
regarding stream valley acquisition

SCRIPT

INTRO: THE PURPOSE OF THIS SLIDE SHOW IS TO INTRODUCE YOU TO THE

ZEKIAH SWAMP IT'S VALUE, THE CONCERNS ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS,

AND WAYS WE CAN CONSERVE THE SWAMP.

1. THE ZEKIAH US THE LARGEST OF A HARDWOOD SWAMP IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

2. THIS, IS A NO OF THE ZEKIAH SUM FLOOD PLAIN AND SOME OF ITS MAJOR

TRIBUTARIES INDICATED IN RED THE ZEKTAIR IS LOCATED PRIMARILY IN CHARELS

COUNTY. ZEKIAH SWAMP RUN ORIGINATES IN SOUTHERN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY NEAR

CEDARVILLE NATURAL RESOURCE AR0EAND FLOWS SOUTH THROUGH CHARLES COUNTY FORMING

THE HEADWATERS OF THE WICOMICO RIVER, A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES.

THE ASSOCIATED HARDWOOD SWAMP AVERAGES APPROXIMATELY 3/4 OF A MILE WIDE.

THE WICOMICO FLOWS INTO THE POTOMAC RIVER AND THE CHESAPEAKE BAY.

3. THE SWAMP DRAINS AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 77,0000 ACRES, OVER

1/4 OF THE TOTAL LAND AREA OF THE COUNTY. THIS IS A MAP OF THE MAJOR WATERSHEDS IN THE COUNTY. THE ZEKIAH WATERSHED IS IN

PURPLE.

4. THE SWAMP HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR ITS NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT SESITIVITY BY THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE WHICH GAVE

IT THE HIGHEST ECOLOGICAL RATING OF ALL NATURAL AREAS IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY REGION AND DESCRIBED IT AS ONE OF THE MOST

IMPORTANT ECOLOGICAL AREAS ON THE EAST COAST.

5. IN 1975, THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES RECOGNIZED THE VALUE OF THE SWAMP BY DESIGNATIONT THE ZEKIAH SWAMP

RUN AND THE ASSOCIATED WICOMICO RIVER AS A STATE OF MARYLAND SCENIC RIVER.

WHY HAS THE ZEKIAH SWAMP BEEN RECOGNIZED AS SUCH A VALUABLE RESOURCE?

6. THE SWAMP CONTAINS A TREMENDEOUS DIVERSITY OF PLAND AND ANIMAL LIFE. HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF THE PLANTS WHICH PROVIDE

FOOD AND SHELTER FOR THE ANIMALS WHICH LIVE IN THE SWAMP.

THERE ARE AQUATIC PLANTS, SUCH AS THIS WATERLILY.

7. PLANTS WHICH GROW ON THE BANKS OF THE ZEKIAH SWAMP RUN, SUCH AS THIS SEDGE.

8. UPLAND PLANTS, SUCH AS FERNS:

9. AND HARDWOOD TREES, SUCH AS PIN OAKS. THE ZEKIAH CONTAINS SOME OF THE FEW

REMAINING STANDS OF VIRGIN TIMBER IN CHARLES COUNTY.

10. AT LEAST 1/3 OF THE NATIONS RARE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES LIVE IN WETLANDS,

AND OTHER DEPEND ON THEM TO VARYING DEGREES

THIS IS A WILSON SNIPE, A MARYLAND RARE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES. THE SWAMP

IS ALSO KNOWN TO CONTAIN BALD EAGLES, DIAMOND BACK TERRAPINS, AND THE RED

COCKADED WOODPECKER.

11. THE NEXT FEW SLIDES ILLUSTRATE THE VARIETY OF BIRDS, ESPECIALLY WATERFOWL,

WHICH FEED, BREED, AND FIND SHELTER IN THE ZEKIAH SWAMP. THIS IS A CANADIAN GOOSE

AND FAMILY.

12. AN OSPREY

13. A MUTE SWAN ON THE NEST

14. AN EGRET.

15. A KILLDEER TEMPORARILY CAPTURED BY OUR PHOTOGRAPHER, MARK PINISCEY

16. THE SWAMP SUPPORTS REPTILES, SUCH SPOTTED TURTLES

17. AND LIZARDS.

18. MAMMALS, SUCH AS RABBITS;

19. AND DEER,

20. AND COMMERCIALLY VALUABLE SPECIES. THIS TREE HAS BEEN GNAWED ON BY A BEAVER

21. HERE'S THE BEAVER

22. THE ZEKIAH ALSO CONTAINS MUSKRAT AND MINK, WHICH SUPPORT OUR TRAPPING INDUSTRY.

23. THE ZEKIAH SWAMP AND THE ASSOCIATED WICOMICO RIVER SERVE AS A NURSERY FOR MANY FISH AND SHELLFISH WHICH

INHABIT THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND PROVIDE THE BASIS FOR RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL FISHING.

24. SWAMPS PROVIDE THE ONLY REAL AND LASTING PROTECTION AGAINST

FLOODS, ABSORBING RUNOFF LIKE GIANT SPONGES. FLOODWATER STORAGE

HELPS TO RECHARGE THE GROUNDWATER IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS.

25. THE ZEKIAH SWAMP IS A NATURAL WATERPURIFICATION SYSTEM.

26. THE SWAMP FILTERS, OUT MANY NATURAL AND MAN MADE POLLUTANTS

BEFORE: THEY REACH THE OPEN WATER AREAS OF THE POTOMAC RIVER, AND

THE CHESAPEAKE BAY. THE POLLUTANTS FROM URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND

FARMS ARE TAKEN UP BY PLANTS AND RELEASED SLOWLY OVER.TIME.

WITHOUT THIS WETLAND FUNCTION, POLLUTANTS COULD ENTER THE BAY IN

A LARGE SHOCK WAVE AND PRODUCE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES.

27. THE ZEKIAH SWAMP PROVIDES UNSPOILED OPEN SPACE FOR THE OB-

SERVATION AND ENJOYMENT OF NATURE.

IF YOU ARE LUCKY, YOU MAY GET TO SEE A GREAT BLUE HERON

CATCH ITS DINNER ......

28.

29.

30.

3L.

THE SWAMP'PROVIDES 'OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
32'

SUCH AS FISHING, HIKING AND PHOTOGRAPHY. -MOST OF THE ZEKI]kH IS

PR-IVATELY OWNED, SO YOU MUST ASK PERMISSION OF THE LANDOWNER

BEFORE ENTERING HIS PROPERTY.

33. -THE ZEKIAH' ALSO CONTAINS RICH HISTORIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL

RZ&OURCES. @THIS IS THE OLD STAGE COACH ROAD, THE RESULT OF

LEGISLATION ENACTED IN 1674 BY THE MARYLAND COLONY "FOR AMENDING

'-VIM MAYS
OUT OPCHARLES, COUNTY INTO THE CITY OF@ST.,XRRYlSo. THE

ON ZEKIAH RUN HAD MADE THE AREA-IMPASSABLE DUE TO I14POUNDED

WATER. CHARLES AND ST. MARY'S COUNTIES *WERE REQUIRED TO CON-

STRUCT A ROAD "PASSABLE FOR HORSE AND FOOT OVER SUCH PLACES OF

ZEKIAH SWAMP WITHIN 2 MILES OF SAID MILL UPWARD AS SHALL BE

CONVENIENT". THIS DESCRIPTION APPEARS TO FIT THE PRESENT RT. 234

34. WITHIN THE LAST 2 DECADES, CHARLES COUNTY HAS EXPERIENCED

RAPID POPULATION GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE WATERSHED OF

THE SWAMP, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREAS OF ST. CHARLES AND LA PLATA.

THIS, IS AN INFRARED SATELLITE PHOTO TAKEN IN 1981 OF THE

SWAMP AND THE LA PLATA, ST. CHARLES AREA (POINT OUT-ON,PICTURE).

WITH THIS GROWTH THERE HAS BEEN INCREASING CONCERN ABOUT THE

POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENT IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPMENT.

35. THE 1ST ISSUE OR CONCERN IS PROTECTION OF THE FRAGILE

'BETWEEN THE MID
HABITAT FROM THE OF DEVELOPMENT.

50'S AND MID 70'S, FORESTED WETLANDS WERE DESTROYED IN THE U.

AT THE RATE OF 300000 ACRES PER YEAR, AN AREA THE SIZE OF

CHARLES COUNTY. IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY YOU CAN SEE A GREEN HERON

IN THE TREES IN THE CENTER OF THE SLIDE.

36. A-SECOND ISSUE OR CONCERN IS' MAINTAINING THE NATURAL

WATERFLOW CYCLE AND WATER QUALITY-WITHIN THE SWAMP.

INCREASING WATER CONSUMPTION HAS CREATED LOWERING OF THE

WATERTABLE. THERE IS CONCERN THAT THIS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE

FLOW OF THE SWAMP.

37. RUNOFF FROM URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND CLEARED LAND HAS THE

POTENTIAL TO CREATE FLOODING PROBLEMS.

THISlS.A PARTICULAR CONCERN AT BRIDGE CROSSINGS.

38. "RUNOFF CAN CARRY SEDIMENTS AND OTHER POLLUTANTS. THERE ARE

LIMITS TO THE CAPACITY OF THE SWAMP TO ABSORB POLLUTANTS AND

STILL MAINTAIN ECOLOGICAL STABILITY.

39., INCREASED FLOW VELOCITIES FRON RUNOFF MAY ACCELERATE NATURAL

@,ZROSION PROCESSES,, AS SHOWN ON THIS STREAM BANK.

40. WITH INCREASED GROWTH COMES NEEDS FOR WASTE DISPOSAL WHICH

MST BE PROPERLY MANAGED.

rz@

OF THE WATERSHED, CHARLES COUNTY RECOMMENDED THAT THE ZEKIAH

SWAMP BE DESIGNATED AS AN AREA OF CRITICAL STATE CONCERN. IN

1981 THE SWAMP WAS SO DESIGNATED BY THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF

STATE PLANNING. THIS ACTION MANDATES THE FORMULATION OF PLANS TO

MANAGE THE RESOURCES OF THE ZEKIAH SWAMP.

42. A NUMBER OF STUDIES WERE INITIATED FOR THE ZEKIAH SWAMP IN-

CLUDING A HYDROGEOLOGIC STUDY BY THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SERVICE, AND

A FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT STUDY BY THE SOIL CONSERVATION SERIVICE.-'_@'-'

OF NATURAL RESOURCES ,THE
IN 1983 THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT

TRI-COUNTY COUNCIL OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND, THE SOIL. CONSERVATION

SERVICE, THE U.S. GEOLOGIC SERVICE, AND CHARLES COUNTY PLANNING &

ZONING FORMED A COMMITTEE TO COORDINATE THE STUDIES AND TO

DEVELOP IONS.
43. THE PRINVIPAL RECOMMEDATION OF THE SEKIAH AD-HOC COMMITTEE
IS THE INCLUSTION OF THE ZEKIAH SWAMP WITHIN THE COUNTY'S
CHESAPEAKE BAY BRITICAL AREA PROGRAM. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS DEVELOPED BY THE DRITICAL AREAS COMMISSION
FOR THE PROTECTION OF RESOURCES VITAL TO THE RESROTARION OF
THE BAY, TO BE IMPLEMENTED.
44. ONE OF THE MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE CRITICAL AREAS
LEGLISLATION IS THE ESTABLISMENT OT NATURAL BUFFER ZONES BETWEEN
DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS, SUCH AS WETLANDS.

45. THE COUNTY SHOULD STRICTLY ENFORCE SEDIMENT' AND STORMWATER

MANAGEMENT MEASURES WITHIN THE WATERSHED. THIS It A STORMWATER

RETENTION POND.

46. FARMERS SHOULD WORK WITH THE SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE TO

DEVELOP UP-TO-DATE SOIL CONSERVATION PLANS.
PURSUE ALTERNATIVE - WATER
47 THE CO SHOULD CONTINUE-TO

SUPLY STRATEGIES TO PROTECT THE AQUIFERS WHICH UNDER THE

ZEKIAH.

0ONE 0OF-.'6qTH-0qWATER- V4VPLTqL`,0qA6qL2q* 0T4B0qS4R2WXRU

RESERVOIR SITE , (POINT OUT ON SLIDE, IN CENTER, JUST NO RTH OF

ROUTE 488) WHICH IS CURRENTLY THE SUBJECT OF A FEASIBILITY

STUDY. ANY WATER IMPOUNDMENT STRUCTURE SHOULD BE INSTALLED IN

SUCH A WAY AS TO MAINTAIN NATURAL BASE FLOW IN THE SWAMP.

48. MOST OF THE WATERSHED IS ZONED FOR LARGE LOT DEVELOPMENT, R-

(3 ACRE-LOTS).
3. EXISTING ZONING DENSITIES SHOULD BE MAINTAINED

IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN EXISTING RUNOFF LEVELS.

NEW URBAN DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE RESTRICTED TO THE ALREADY

BUILT-UP AREAS OF ST..'CHARLES, AND LA PLATA ARE CAREFULLY DESIGNED WITH

APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT,MEASURES TO-AVOID POSSIBLE ADVERSE,EFFECTS ONTHE

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF THE SWAMP.

49. THE COUNTY SHOULD ENCOURAGE THE ACQUISITION OF-SENSITIVE HABITATS WITHIN

THE WATERSHED BY PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INTERESTS, SUCH AS THENATURE CONSERVATORY.

............
S

THAT THERE IS NO CONTAKIN4qATION.

51. HISTORIC AND ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES SHOULD BE IDENTIFIED AND PROTECTED.

THIS IS DR. SAMUEL KUDD's HOUSE, WHERE JOHN 4qVqI S BOOTH WAS TREATED

FOR A BROKEN LEG BY DR. MUDD AFTER HE ASSASSINATED ABRAHAM LINCOLN. THE SWAMP

IS JUST BEHIND THE HOUSE. BOOTH USED IT AS HIS ESCAPE ROUTE BETWEEN WASHINGTON

AND VIRGINIA.

52. THE COUNTY SHOULD DEVELOP A PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A PUBLIC INFORMATION

CENTER FOR THE ZEKIAH SWAMP. THIS IS THE CYPRESS SWAMP CENTER IN CALVERT

COUNTY, WHICH RECEIVES 15,000 VISITORS A YEAR.

53.THE CENTER CONTAINS NATURE EXHIBITS.

54. A CLASSROOM LAST YEAR RECEIVED OVER 3,000 SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN.

55. A MATURE WALK THROUGH THE SWAMP.

56. WETLANDS, SUM AS THE ZEKIAH SWAMP,ARE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE

VITALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY.

57. BY RECOMMENDING THAT THE ZEKIAH SWAMP BE DESIGNATED AS AN AREA OF CRITICAL

-STATE CONCERN, CHARLES COUNTY HAS RECOGNIZED THE VALUABLE HABITAT, WATER QUALITY.

AND FLOOD CONTROL ASSETS THAT BE DEFINE THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND RECREATIONAL

CULTURE OF THE COUNTY.

58. THE CHARLES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE CHARLES COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOUR REACTION TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ZEKIAH AD-HOC

COMMITTEE. THEY WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW OF ANY OTHER ISSUES OR CONCERNS WHICH

YOU MAY HAVE REGARDING THE ZEKIAH SWAMP. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD

PROVIDING THE ZEKIAH SWAMP WITH THE LONG TERM PROTECTION ITS UNIQUENESS MERITS.

59.-THE.COUNTY.IS WORKING WITH THE SCENIC RIVER'S PROGRAM TOADDRESS.THESE,ISSUES

'AND CONCERNS BY DEVELOPING@A SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE ZEKIAH SWAMP/WI-Comico

RIVER. THIS PROCESS WILL REQUIRE THE ACTIVE SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION-OF THE

'CITIZENS OF CHARLES COUNTY IN ORDER TO SUCCEED.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PRESENTATION?

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE RECOMMATIONS OF THE ZEKIAH AD-HOC COMMITTEE?

WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT THE ZEKIAH SWAMP?

SOUTHERN MARYLAND A(JDUB0N SOCIETY.
MONTHLY MEETINGS / 19877 1988.

SEPTEMBER 9 - WEDNESDAY - 7:30 p.m. resources. The protective measures of the Zekiah/ MARCH 2 - WEDNESDAY --7:30
Clearwater Nature Center Wkomico Scenic River Plan now under development by St. Mary's County Library
Cosca Regional Park, Clinton, Maryland the Department of Natural Resources, the-Scenic River Leonardtown, Maryland
"Creating a Backyard Habitat" Program and the Charles County Department of Planning "The Basics of Birding - Part H-
DR. JACK DeFOREST, Writer and Naturalist and Zoning will be presented. SMAS STAFF
Our speaker, the former Senior Environmental The birding themes presented in Part I will be developed
Economist in the U.S. Department of Commerce, is a DECEMBER 2 - WEDNESDAY - 7:30 p.m. further with discussions of where and when one can
free-lance writer and naturalist who has developed a St. Mary's County Library .
observe common and resident birds, warblers and other
residential wildlife habitat in the shadow of Mount Vernon, Leonardtown, Maryland spring migrants,'waterfowl and other wintering species in
Virginia. By using native plants in a meadow plot designed "Waterfowl Management and Conservation In Southern the Southern Maryland area.
to attract butterflies and birds, he demonstrates what can Maryland"
be done In a "how to" Illustrated lecture. KYLE RAMBO, Natural Resources Manager APRIL 6 - WEDNESDAY - 7:30 p.m.
Naval Air Station Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Nature Center
OCTOBER 7 - WEDNESDAY - 7:30 p.m. The streams and wetlands of Southern Maryland support Calvert County, Maryland
St. Mary's County Library large numbers of wintering waterfowl of many species as "The Life History of the Purple Martin"
Leonardtown, Maryland well as providing habitats for a few nesting species. Our KATHLEEN KLIMKIEWICZ, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
"The Basics of Bird(ng: Part I" speaker will review what breeding and wintering species I Our speaker, an ornithologist at the Bird Banding
SMAS STAFF can be expected In out area and what general manage- Laboratory in Laurel, has been studying the life histo ry of
Experienced members of the Southern Maryland ment practices can be applied to their conservation. He the purple martin In Maryland for several years. She will
Audubon Society (SMAS) will give a series of lectures will then tell us about the specific waterfowl management tell us of her findings just when the martins are returning
designed to Introduce novice or aspiring birdwatchers to programs used by the Side and by the Naval Air Station. from their South American wintering grounds.
the fascinating world of birding. These lectures will ad.
dress the how (equipment and techniques), where JANUARY 13 - WEDNESDAY - 7:30 p.m. 14AY 4 - WEDNESDAY - 7:30 .p.m.
(habitats), when (migration patterns and seasonal Clearwater Nature Center Clearwater Nature Center
changes) and what (species distributions) of birding with Cosca Regional Park, Clinton Maryland 6sca Regional Park, Clinton, Maryland
particular emphasis on the birds and habitats of Southern "Basics'al Bircift - pan flasics of Birding - Part It"
Maryland. Topics to be covered In Part I will Include SMAS STAFF @HAS STAFF
binoculars and telescopes, field guides, local bird lists, Repeat of the pFoW= of October 7 for our northern area The program of March 2 will be repeated with special em-
reference materials, field trips and bird counts. audience. phasis on warblers and other spring migrants.
NOVEMBER 4 - WEDNESDAY - 7:30 p.m. FEBRUARY 3 - WEDNESDAY - 7:30 p.m. JUNE 5 - SUNDAY - 1:30 p.m.
learwater Nature Center BettLe Creek Cypress Swwip Nsture Center anjemoy Environmental Education Center
Cosca Regional Park, Clinton, Maryland Calvert County, Marylland tjemoy, Maryland
"The Zeklah Swamp - Southern Maryland's Most - 'Ralls and Otha Marsh Blids of Southern Maryland.. I ANNUAL MEETING
Valuable Natural Resource" GREO KEARMS Potluck Lunch ........................ 1:30o3:00
KEVIN L. McJUNKIN, Charles County W&We Bkftlat &ctlon and Business Meeting .............. 3:00-3:30
Department of Planning and Zoning Pafuxent River Par* Host's Briefing ........................ 3:30-4:00
The Zekiah Swamp is the largest hardwood swamp In the Our speaker win ten us, In this slide-illustrated talk, Bird Walks, Swimming and Canoeing ........ 4:00-6:00
State of Maryland and 'has been rated by the Smithsonian something about the biology and behavior of the Enjoy this afternoon with frien@s at the n6v Nanjemoy
institution as one of the most important natural areas on secretive, seldom-seen birds that Inhabit our Southern Environmental Education Center on beautiful Nanjemoy
the east coast. The talk will describe the natural, historical Maryland marshes. Inocluded will be facts about the Creek. From Rte. 6 in western Charles County, take
and economic resources of the Swamp and the adverse mysterious black rall of the salt marches based on his own Tayloe Neck Road northeast about 21/z miles and turn in
impacts of the County's rapid development on these bird-in-hand experiences. at the Center's sign.

MEMORANDUM

TO: 'Kevin L.,McJunkin, Environmental Planner

FROM: Jacquelyn M.,Magness, Director

DATE: June 15,@ 1987

SUBJECT:- Zekiah Land Acquisition-Program

On Thursday I had lunch with Mel Bridgett,, Director of Parks
and.Recreation. Among other.topics we touched upon the protection
of the ZekiAh Swamp. Mel is most interested in finding a way to
put much of the land in the Swamp in public ownership over the
next fifty or so years. He is familiar with the techniques used
by MNCPPC to acquire many of their stream valley parks and thinks
there is-real.potential for modifying those programs to fit
--Charles-County and the-Zeki-ah.--

Since- we are currently funded to prepare such a program
using public.and private moneys, I suggest that-we begin to work
in -earnest-with the. Parks Department. Mel will be hiring a new
Division Chiefthis summer and-hopes b@r August to be more
available for long-range planning activities.

Since we should finish with the bulk of the Critical Areas
-workat the same time,,.Fall seen a rea1istic time for'a meeting
with the public. Howeversince there is some support for
including the Zekiah in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Program,,
it may be appropriate to begin a skeletal-*design of the Zekiah
initiative for inclusion in the Local Program document.

What Mel suggests is that the County set aside a reserve in
the POS money for acquisition in the Swamp. Land could be
purchased in several ways. First, the County would solicit offers
.to sell from landowners on a voluntary basis and select, based
upon established criteria, those purchases which the budget would
permit every year. Secondly, there would be a mandatory sale of
wetlands area to the County any time a parcel was sold in the
Swamp. This second step would require the County to have a pot of
money available to purchase this land at fair market value upon
demand of the owner. According to Mel, MNCPPC has used this
system with considerable success.

Another program which may provide a model is the Howard
County floodplain acquisition process. I -know that county does
acquire floodplains during the subdivision process and by
.outright purchase. It would probably be useful to discuss the
program with someone in that organization. Amar Bandel and John
Musselman in their Planning Department may be good initial
contacts.

Let's plan to talk in general terms about these suggestions
with the subcommittee on Wednesday.

cc: Mel Bridgett, Director of Parks and Recreation

. @ 1. . .11z
NOAA COASTAL SERVICES CTR LIBRARY I
I ,
3 6668 14112875 3.

amp,,
Management Recommendations Wet lands such as zekiah swamp are e

directly responsible fot the vitality and productivity
In 1983, the Department of Natural Resources,
of the chesapeake bay many of the decisions that
ci Chesa
Tri-County Council, Soil Conservation Service,
mpjare
and Charles County Planning & Zoning Depart-
evej-
mendin@that the LeKian',@,0S6wa0m6p'111@4@
ment formed a committee to coordinate research 0eU",'l3y"n0kdrTi
Is_an,@ rea'@o or
and other activities for the Zekiah Swamp. The
A' f'Criti8&l'8Sfa'tb?4C nt
'd iih`@""""
committee has developed the following recom- ounty, has,@@rrec@oruze @Jt t4j@@,yj0yaAj
mendations for management of the Swamp: water @- "@a@i d f1o6'8d'-c6n-"ir
enta'w t,
@,,,Ihai,@help defin46', th nvironm 4dy"
Include the Swamp, and a primary management area
adjacent to the Swamp, in the Charles County Chesa-
peake Bay Critical Area Program.

Strictly enforce sediment and erosion control measures
within the watershed. Work with the Soil Conservation
District to see that all active farms have up-to-date conser-
vation plans in effect within a reasonable time frame.

Install water impoundment structures in such a way as to
maintain existing base flow in the Swamp.

� Adopt land use regulations, such as limits to the clearing
of natural vegetation, to protect sensitive habitats in the
watershed and to preserve water uality.

Maintain existing zoning densities within those portions of G
the watershed not included in the Critical Area.

Develop a program for the identification, acuisition, and
protection of sensitive habitats in the watershed.

Until the interaction between the Zekiah Swamp and the
underlying auifers is fully understood, expanded use of
the auifers should be carefully monitored. The County
should continue to pursue alternative water supply
strategies.

Carefully monitor landfill sites within the watershed to
reduce the risks of groundwater contamination.
Identify historic and archaeological resources for '0
protection.
Establish a public information center for the Zekiah The 8Z
Swamp to focus on its historical and environmental
", hat
a
-a

n
th

significance. ICOAftco 4"
Form a Zekiah Swamp local advisory board to deal with
the specific application of the management plan in the This brochure is provided as a courtesy of the Charles County
watershed. Commissioners, with funding from the Maryland Coastal Zone
Management Program through a grant from the Office of A I
Ocean and Coastal Resources Management, NOAA.

Eual Opportunity County

The Zekiah Swamp is a Issues
20-mile long, 3/4-mile wide During the last two decades, Charles County has experienced rapid population growth and development
wooded bottornland swamp
within the watershed of the Swamp, particularly in the areas of St. Charles and La Plata. With this develop-
located primarily in Charles ment there has been increasing concern about the environmental impacts associated with development. in
County. The Swamp ongi-
1981, the Maryland Department of State Planning, acting in accordance with the recommendations of the
nates in Southern Prince Charles County Commissioners, designated the Zekiah Swamp as an Area of Critical Concern.
George's County near The major issues are:
Cedarville Natural Resource
n
. ...... ... k@ 0 Protection of the fragile habitat from the encoachment of development.
Center and flows through 4
"Aw, @@A @N Maintenance of the natural water flow c cle and water quality within the Swamp.
Charles County forming the ZV k i ", y
headwaters of the Wicomico River. Proper management of waste disposal in the Zekiah watershed is necessary to maintain the ecological
A number of events during the 1970s and early stability of the Swamp.
1980s focused attention on the natural resources Preservation of historic/archaeological sites - these provide a record of man's history for future
and environmental sensitivity of the swamp. In generations.
1975, the Zekiah Swamp[Wicomico River was Increasing public awareness - swamps are sometimes thought of as useless wastelands or as mosquito
design .ated as a State of Maryland Wild and Scenic breeding grounds when in fact they provide immense public benefit.
River by the Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources
(DNR). Also in 1975, the Smithsonian Institution,
in conjunction with the DNR, described the Zekiah Left: The diverse plant community of the
Swamp as one of the most important ecological &
hy, Z, OR Zekiah Swamp provides habitat for a wide
areas on the East Coast and the largest natural variety of animals.
hardwood swamp in the State of Maryland. The
Zekiah was ranked highest of all natural areas in Below: This deer pauses on the Old
Stagecoach Road, built in the 1670@;
the Chesapeake Bay region.
between Charles County and St. Mary's City.

Why is the Zekiah Swamp recognized as
such a valuable resource?
More creatures feed, breed, and find shelter in swamps
than in any other habitat. At least one third of the Nation's rare
and endangered species live in wetlands, and others depend on
them to varying degrees. The Zekiah Swamp is known to con-
tain bald eagles, diamond backed terrapins, and the red bellied
woodpecker, all of which are either rare or endangered species.
Commercially valuable species living in the Swamp include
VOW
fur-bearing animals such as beaver and mink. The Zekiah
Swamp and the associated Wicomico River act as a nursery for
the juvenile stages of many fish and shellfish which inhabit the
Chesapeake Bay.
* Swamps provide the only real and lasting protection against Y
floods, absorbing runoff like giant sponges. The storage helps to
7-
-V
recharge groundwater in the surrounding area. F@;!
The Zekiah Swamp is a natural water purification system,
N Kv
filtering out many natural and manmade pollutants before they
A
reach the open water areas of the Potomac River and the Chesa-
peake Bay. The pollutants are taken up by plants and released
slowly over time, greatly reducing the effects on the ecosystem.
Without this wetland function, pollutants could enter the Bay in a
large shock wave and produce serious consequences.
The Zekiah Swamp provides unspoiled open space for the
aesthetic enjoyment of nature through activities such as fishing,
photography, hiking, and environmental education.
The Zekiah Swamp also contains rich historical and archae-
logical resources. In 1865 John Wilkes Booth traveled along the
swamp as he escaped from Washington to Virginia following the
assassination of President Lincoln. - - - - - - -