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

                      Grant No. NA270ZO337-01

                           Task 3
          Nanticoke River Watershed:
                       A Summary of,
                  Resource Characteristics
                 and Enhancement Activities

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          Maryland Department of Natural Resources
                  Public Lands and Forestry
              Greenways and Resource Planning

                          June,1994

                          .11-T I S

                             Lai      I>
                                           State of Maryland
                                   @2
                                           The Honorable William Donald Schaefer, Governor

                         of M              Department of Natural Resources

                                           Torrey C. Brown, M.D., Secretary
                                           Public Lands and Forestry
                                           James W. Dumnyer, Assistant Secretary
                   4.
                                           Michael J. Nelson, Deputy Assistant Secretary
                                           David G. Burke, Director, Greenways & Resource Planning
                                           Ethel Locks, Chief, Eastern Region

                 Acknowledgements

                 Numerous individuals from both the private and public sectors provided information and
                 assistance throughout the planning process. Special thanks are extended to Ilya Fleishman
                 for technical services and graphic assistance: John Dulaney for providing GIS data and
                 mapping; Arnold Norden, Anne Sloan, Denise Tritaik and John Wolf for editing, Wanda
                 Manning for photos and Monica Sellman for administrative and clerical support. The
                 Eastern Regional Team for technical assistance Charlotte Cathell, Program Open Space;
                 Doug Wigfield, Fish, Heritage and Wildlife; Kip Powers, Forest Service; Daryl DeCesare,
                 Maryland Forest and Parks; John Hutson, Maryland Environmental Trust; Larry Engle,
                 Engineering and Construction; Nancy Howard, Public Communication. Special thanks to
                 Josie Thoms for illustration and layout.

                 A major portion of this study was prepared by Environmental Systems Analysis, Inc. The
                 Department of Natural Resources gratefully acknowledges their participation in this effort.

                      ATMOS"""
                               Partial funding for this project was provided by the Coastal Zone
                               Management Program of the Department of Natural Resources, pursuant to
                               National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration award number
                     UE W (000 NA270ZO337-01.

                                 On cover: Wetlands near the Route 50 bridge over the Nanticoke River - joining Wicornico and Dorchester Counties.

                            Nanticoke River Watershed:
                        A Summary of Resource Characteristics
                                and Enhancement Activities

                                          June, 1994

                            Maryland Department of Natural Resources
                                    Public Lands and Forestry
                                 Greenways and Resource Planning

                                      US Department of Commerce
                                  NOAA COASTAL SERVICES CENTER LIBRARY
                                       2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE
                                       Charleston, SC 29405-2413

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                                            US Department of Commerce
                                       NOAA Cenotal Services Ccrntcr Library
                                             220'4 South Hobson I' wo-nue
                                             Charleston, SC 29405-2413      -j                       I
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                                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS

                        Executive Summary    .............................................                    I
                        Nanticoke River Watershed Map    ....................................                 2

                        Resource and Watershed Characteristics

                        Physiography   .................................................                      4
                        Living Resources  . ............................................                    I I
                        Cultural Resources    ............................................                  18
                        Recreational Opportunities   .......................................                21

                        Agency Activities

                        Living Resources Chart . ........................................                   27
                        Recreational Resources Chart    .....................................               31

                        Greenways and Resource Planning Enhancement Activities      ...    ............     33.

                                                                             31
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                                                                                            ANNE              QUEEN
                   EXECUTIVE SUMMARY                                                       ARUNOEL            ANNE*S

                                                                                  .1@ ..NCE                       CAROL INE
                   The   Nanticoke River is the largest Chesapeake                   \GEORGE'S
                   Bay tributary on the lower Delmarva peninsula.                                             ALSO
                   It originates in southern Delaware and empties
                   into Tangier Sound adjacent to the mouth of the                           CALV T                   4.
                   Wicomico River and Fishing Bay. The river is                   CHARLES
                   tidal and navigable to Seaford, Delaware.
                                                                                                           DOACHESTE
                   Slightly over one-half of its drainage area is
                                                                                          SIT. MARY'S
                   located in Maryland and covers 575 square miles
                                                                                                                           WORCESTfR
                   in Dorchester, Caroline, and Wicomico Counties.                          Pogo                    rSET
                   The Marshyhope Creek is the largest tributary,
                   its tidal lirrdt is Federalsburg, Caroline County.
                   Other major tributaries in Maryland include the                                             Z.
                   Barren, Quantico, Rewastico and Wetipquin
                   Creeks in Wicomico County and Chicone Creek
                   in Dorchester County.                                     protect and enhance      terrestrial and aquatic
                   A series of smaller rivers flows into Fishing Bay.        habitats, water quality and other significant
                   The Blackwater, the Little Blackwater, the                watershed characteristics. Recreational resource
                   Transquaking and the Cl-dcamicomico, as well as           enhancement activities provide both passive and
                   numerous small creeks drain the vast tidal                active recreational opportunities which integrate
                   marshes that encompass the drainage area. Over            man into this environment.
                   50,000 acres of tidal wetlands are located in this
                   watershed, representing about one-quarter of the          The Resource and Watershed Characteristics,
                   tidal wetlands in Maryland. Together, the                 Section 1, shows how physiographic features,
                   Nanticoke and the Fishing Bayffilackwater                 living resources,     cultural resources,       and
                   drainage areas form the area of study for this            recreational opportunities are currently arranged
                   enhancement strategy. This watershed has been             in the watershed. This information can be used
                   identified by Maryland and Delaware to be an              to identify future enhancement activities. Recent
                   excellent area in which to protect and enhance            activities conducted by agencies of the Maryland
                   natural resources for recreation and conservation         Department of Natural Resources and other
                   purposes.                                                 private and public agencies in the Nanticoke
                                                                             River Watershed study area are summarized in
                   This study provides an overview of the                    Section III Agency Activity. The Greenways and
                   recreational and natural resource characteristics         Resource Planning Enhancement Activities,
                   of the Nanticoke watershed. This document also            Section 111, provides a brief description of site
                   identifies what living resources and recreational         specific and regionally oriented enhancement
                   enhancement activities the Department was                 activities which have been initiated as a result of
                   involved with at the time of the study. Living            this study.
                   resource enhancement activities are efforts to

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                                                     Nanticoke River Watershed

                                                                                                2

                         1. RESOURCE AND WATERSHED
                                         CHARACTERISTICS

                 This section describes the individual components which influence the existing and potential
                 character of the study area. The interplay of physiographic features and the living resources
                 which have evolved within these parameters with current and historic uses are discussed and
                 represented with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) maps to illustrate the existing character
                 and potential enhancement of the area.

                                                                3

                   PHYSIOGRAPHY

                   This section describes the physical qualities of the watershed and how people have influenced
                   and responded to these qualities. Soil and hydrologic characteristics are the primary
                   determinants of land use suitability. The manipulations of these characteristics and the vegetative
                   communities depict the current composition of the watershed.

                   Land Use

                   The Forest Cover and Agriculture map shows the relationship of agricultural lands to forested
                   lands. This map indicates agriculture in the north, center, and east sections of the watershed and
                   timber production along the east side of the river, and west section of the watershed. This
                   distribution was, in part, created in response to the natural soil conditions in the watershed.

                                           Current land uses in the Nanticoke watershed
                                           have a major effect on the character and
                                           viability of living and recreational resources.
                                           The major land uses include a mixture of
                                           forest land, agricultural land, and wetlands.

                                           Commercial,        suburban       residential,
                                           institutional and industrial uses make up
                                           approximately 1.2% of the land use. The
                                           following table provides a breakdown of the
                                           major current land uses within the study
                                           area.
                             LAND USE              T-          ACREAGE                     % OF STUDY ARE         A

                    TOTAL IN STUDY                                401,480

                    AGRICULTURE                                   116,167                             28.9

                    FOREST                                        154,635                             38.5

                    RESIDENTIAL                                     3,294                             0.8

                    COMMERCIAL,                                     1,486                             0.4
                    INDUSTRIAL, AND
                    INSTITUTIONAL LANDS

                    OPEN WATER                                     47,491                             11.8

                    WETLANDS                                       74,974                             18.7

                    OTHER                                           3,433                             0.9

                                                                                 (figures provided by Maryland Office of Planning, 1990)

                                                                     4

                  LAND USE continued

                  Towns historically developed where fastland            waterfront property and the increasing urban
                  allowed access to navigable waterways.                 economic opportunities in the region. The
                  These locations are uncommon in the study              general inaccessibility of the Nanticoke
                  area as evidenced by the few widely-                   River has limited the amount of shoreline
                  scattered    waterfront     towns.     Railroad        recreational/resort development, which is
                  alignments,     now     mostly      abandoned,         currently   concentrated     on   the    lower
                  supported other rural towns. These towns               Wicomico County side of the river at
                  have     adapted     to    other     economic          Bivalve    and    Nanticoke.     Most      new
                  oppol-Lunities. Several small residential              development adjacent to the river must
                  subdivisions are concentrated west of                  comply with the State Forest Conservation
                  Salisbury and around Federalsburg         . and        Act, the State's Tidal and Nontidal Wetlands
                  others    are    scattered   throughout      the       Acts, section 404 of the Federal Clean Water
                  watershed. Residential development pressure            Act as well as State and County Chesapeake
                  is increasing due to the availability of               Bay Critical Area programs.

                                                       A3

                Shoreline structureson the Nanticoke at Vienna.

                                                                     5.

     IDATA SOURCE: Maryland Office of Planning

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           Land Use
             @ Agriculture                                                                     Fed
                     Forest
                                                                                               0             30000         60000

                                          Nanticoke River Watershed
                                              Forest Cover and Agriculture
                                                                           6

                  Forests

                  The Forest Cover and Agriculture map shows the distribution of existing forests. These forests
                  are fiirther divided into deciduous hardwood stands, pine stands and mixed forest areas.
                  Conservation of existing natural diversity requires that examples of various forest community
                  types will be available to maintain long term health of the forest and related natural resources
                  for the enjoyment offuture generations.

                  Based on the 1993 State Forest Inventory, forest cover of several types comprises 247 square
                  miles, or 43%, of the land in the study area. This percentage is greater than that listed for 1990
                  (39.9%). Wood products and wildlife habitat are among the principle benefits of the forest.
                  Forests also provide substantial water quality protection values to surface waters, by moderating
                  runoff and trapping nutrient pollutants. The study area includes pine, hardwood, and mixed pine
                  and hardwood forest types. Some forest areas are regenerating after harvest. Included in the forest
                  inventory are large areas of forested wetlands.

                  Loblolly pine is the principal timber tree in the study area. The continued presence and expansion
                  of the forest land base in the watershed can be largely attributed to the existence of an economic
                  incentive for private landowners to retain forests. As a result, economic pressures exist to
                  maintain or enhance the loblolly pine component of the privately owned forests. Public forest
                  land ownership or private landowners incentive programs may be required to meet diversity goals
                  if natural diversity is found to be threatened. The loblolly pine is susceptible to insect
                  infestations, particularly southern pine beetle, while the hardwood forests are subject to
                  defoliation from gypsy moth.

                  Soils

                  Soils have been characterized into two general categories based on hydrology: dry soils and wet
                  soils. The dry soil conditions constitute where agriculture has developed. The remaining dry soils
                  that contain forest are some of the best growing sites for native stands ofpine and many of these
                  stands are extensively managed for forest products. 7he forest on the wet soils generally contain
                  bottomland hardwood and loblolly pine stands. Atlantic White Cedar has historically occurred
                  and continues to occur in scattered stands on the wetter sites. Many of the pine stands on the
                  very wet soils along the marsh edge are stunted and very slow growing.

                  Land uses are in large part dictated by the character of the soils. The majority of the lower
                  watershed's soils are poorly drained with large areas of swamp and marsh that are subject to tidal
                  flooding, except for some large areas of very sandy soils in Wicomico County. Poor drainage
                  limits the agricultural value of soils and drainage ditches have been constructed and maintained
                  to alleviate this condition.

                  The upper watershed has mostly well drained soils with some areas of excessively drained sandy
                  soils. Some of the areas of sandy soil are of limited use for agriculture due to drought and low
                  fertility. Agricultural land use includes farm yards, orchards, pasture and cropland. Row-cropped
                  corn and soy bean is planted extensively for use as feed for poultry, which is one of the largest
                  components of the agricultural economy.

                                                                   7

         DATA SOURCE: Maryland Office of Planning

            Soil                                                                                        Feet
            FEE     Dry Series
                    Wet Series                                                                          0              30"            60"
                                               Nanticoke River Watershed
                                                                               Soils

                   Wetlands

                   The Wetland map shows the distribution of forested wetland and open marsh. Wetlands are
                   afforded a degree of protection fiom development. Timber harvests in wetlands require the
                   implementation of Best Management Practices along with the development of a Forest Harvest
                   Plan (Critical Area) that details protection of stream buffers, wetlands and endangered species.

                   The study area contains the Maryland                   Wetlands are afforded some protection from
                   portion of the Chesapeake Bay's largest                development under State and Federal
                   assemblage of tidal and nontidal wetlands,             wetland regulations.       However, natural
                   including forested, shrub/scrub and open               occurrences such as the rising of relative sea
                   marsh; combined, they comprise over 16%                level, and certain forestry and agricultural
                   of the land area. Wetlands are highly                  operations influence these resources.
                   valuable resources which provide water
                   quality enhancement, flood protection,                 Large areas of low tidal marsh, especially in
                   wildlife habitat, flood control and other              the Blackwater drainage, are suffering from
                   functions. There is a progression from                 erosion because of rising sea level and
                   brackish marshes to freshwater tidal marshes,          cropping by the exotic nutria. These
                   freshwater tidal shrub swamps and, finally,            activities create open water landward of the
                   freshwater forested swamps in the tidal and            existing   marshes     by    accretion,     thus
                   non-tidal reaches of the study area. Wetlands          converting forested wetlands to marsh.
                   are principally floodplain swamps and
                   seasonally flooded forests above the tidal
                   limits.

                                                                                    saltmarsh cordgrass

                                                                                                                nutria

                big cordgrass

                                                                     9

         DATA SOURCE: National Wetland Inventory

                                                        4F

                      .. . .. .. .. ..

                             m@  R

            Wetland
                        Estuarine                                                                       Feet
                        Lacustrine and Palustrine                                                       661-m@                        6@@.                     M
                                                                                                        0               30W             6OW

                                                Nanticoke River Watershed

                                                                            Wetlands
                                                                                    .10

                  LIVING RESOURCES

                  The interaction between land and water has created an area with diverse natural conditions. 7he
                  watershed contains abundance and diversity of life. Some of these living resources have
                  historically and continue to be usedfor recreation and economic viability. There is also a great
                  diversity and quantity of species which have not historically been used by people but which are
                  @aining cultural and recreational significance. 7he Wildlife map generalizes the areas where
                  indicator species frequently occur. The salinity gradient is also. indicated since this is one of the
                  primary environmental factors which determines the range of plant and animal species.

                                                                                                   striped bass (rockfish)

                                     hightide bush

                                                              FLORA AND FAUNA

                                                              Yhere is a diversity and quantity of
                                                              habitats provided in the watershed.
                                                              Some species concentrate in the area
                                                              during certain seasons, while others
                                                              have adapted to the unique physical
                                                              condition which have and continue to
                                                              influence the region.

                                                                                                                     1@0

                                   water dock

                                                                                                           sika deer

                                                            American woodcock

                    Rare, Threatened and Endangered, and Non-Game Species

                    The diversity of terrestrial and wetland habitats within the Nanticoke watershed provides suitable
                    habitats for a number of rare, threatened or endangered plant and animal species. The principal
                    animal species are the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, Delmarva fox squirrel, black ra            il, and several
                    species of forest interior nesting birds. Management activities for some of these species are
                    carried out by the DNR on Wildlife Management Areas, by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at
                    the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, and by many private landowners.

                    Forest interior nesting birds, particularly
                    neotropical migratory species, have been
                    declining due to forest fragmentation as well
                    as loss of tropical winter habitat. The
                    Delmarva fox squirrel's low population is
                    attributed to its habitat requirement of
                    mature      forest.    Restoration     efforts     to
                    reestablish this species in areas it formerly                  t@..
                    inhabited are on-going. The bald eagle and
                    osprey have increased in numbers after the
                    banning of DDT in the early 1970's. The
                    peregrine is increasing primarily as a result
                    of ongoing efforts to reintroduce this bird of                      bald eagle           peregrine falcon
                    prey to the eastern United States. Other rare
                    animal species present include the seaside
                    sparrow, black rail and short-eared owl. The
                                                                 f high
                    black rail is a secretive inhabitant o
                    tidal marshes. Originally thought to be very
                    rare, it is found to be more common,
                    althou-h its habitat requirements are not well
                    known.

                                                                                                                   red-bellied water snake
                    The DNR's Maryland Natural Heritage                          Delmarva  fox squirrel
                    Program       has     identified     sites     where            black rail
                    concentrations of rare plants and animals
                    require special protection efforts. Other
                    select areas have been identified through on-
                    going research'and field work. This data is
                                                                                                                           . IN
                    being used to target future protection efforts
                    by the Department and other conservation
                    organizations.

                                                                                                               short-eared owl

                                                                                            seaside sparrow

                                                                            12

                   Nfigratory Game Birds

                   Mallards, black duck, wood duck, and Canada geese are the principal species which breed in the
                   watershed. The study area is better known as a migratory, wintering and breeding habitat. These
                   species appear to benefit from protection and the creation of nesting/brood habitat. Historical
                   waterfowl staging and concentration areas have been mapped by the DNR's Wildlife Division.
                   These concentration areas include the entirety of Fishing Bay and most of the lower Nanticoke
                   River. The management activities at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and on DNR Wildlife
                   Management Areas benefit many of the waterfowl species.

                   The 1990 The Blackwater - Nanticoke Focus                I..
                                                                             N          mallard
                   Area Plan 0 990) was developed as part of
                   the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture. This plan
                   was prepared by the Wildlife Division to
                   implement the North American Waterfowl
                   Mana-ement Plan. This is a commitment
                   between the United States, Canada and
                   Mexico to protect and increase migratory
                   waterfowl populations.

                   The decline of submerged aquatic vegetation             ;1 0
                   (SAV) has reduced the quality of habitat for                                              black duck
                        - species such as canvasback and
                   divin
                   redlicad   ducks;    however,     SAV       are
                   reestablishing themselves in certain places.

                   Feral, non-migratory mallards are believed to
                   be hybridizing with native black ducks;
                   however, there is no real evidence that this      0,!
                   is related to the past decline in black duck
                   numbers. Black duck populations have              V
                   recently stabilized. Extensive wood duck
                   habitat is present in the wooded swamps that
                   border the upper Nanticoke and Marshyhope                           v
                   Creek. The placement of nesting boxes has         WOOD DUCK NESTING BOXES 6VIfR WATER
                   provided the opportunity for increasing nest
                   success of wood ducks. Dump nesting,
                   however, continues to impact recruitment.
                   American woodcook population have
                   declined due to habitat loss. Hunting
                   regulations have been modified to       reduce
                   harvest on local breeding woodcock.                                                W o  d  c k

                               canvasback

                                                                     13

                  Furbearers       nutria

                  The extensive wetland habitats support healthy populations of native muskrat, red and gray fox,
                  beaver, otter and raccoon as well as the exotic nutria. These species provide a fur harvest which
                  is a regionally important source of income.                                  red fox

                  The nutria, imported from South America in
                  the 1930's and 1940's for captive fur
                  production, was accidentally released into
                  the wild and has since established large
                  populations in local wetland habitats. The                       muskrat
                  nutria competes for habitat with native
                  species, particularly muskrat. The main                             beaver
                  problem with nutria is not competition, but
                  habitat degradation. Large nutria populations
                  are believed to be responsible for marsh,
                  dike, farm pond and agricultural crop

                                                                                                          Y
                  damage. Their behavior degrades habitat for
                  many other species.                                               Otter             t,

                  Upland Game                                                                              raccoon

                  Healthy populations of native gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, whitetailed deer and turkey provide
                  recreational opportunities for hunting and wildlife observation. Exotic sika deer occur mainly in
                  Dorchester County, in the marshes west of the Nanticoke River and also provide opportunities
                  for hunting. Wild turkey populations have greatly benefitted from          management activities
                  including live bird releases.
                                                                          wild turkey XU4
                  Populations of bobwhite quail have been
                  declining recently. Management for upland
                                                                                  @,IZOZ-.@3.41
                                                                                         n
                                                                                     N,
                  game is conducted on the DNR Wildlife
                                                                                     4011W,";@;,"l-, 1,
                  Management Areas. The DNR Wildlife                                                            A
                                                                                           -f". 14
                                                                                                         cottontail  rabbit
                  Division and Forest Service also are working
                  cooperatively with landowners for enh                   7@
                                                          ancing          I -
                                                                                 !,5
                  upland game habitat. They provide Federal
                  cost sharing under the "1990 Stewardship
                  Program.                                             5W111      bobwhite quail

                                                                                            Whiletailed deer

                                                    R.
                              sika deer

                                                                        'ito' American
                                                                                dcock
                                                                             woo

                                                                   14

                   AQUATIC RESOURCES

                   The Nanticoke River and BlackwaterlFishing Bay watersheds contain a diversity of estuarine
                   aquatic habitats ranging from brackish water to tidal freshwater to nontidal freshwater. The
                   surface water and species inhabiting them have sufferedfrom degradation. A variety offactors
                   have contributed to the decline: habitat disturbance, acid precipitation, over-harvesting,
                   blockages to fish migration, point and non-point source pollution and disease. Most aquatic
                   organisms of economic and recreational significance exhibit cyclical variation in population, but
                   the trend for most species is downward. There are, however, still viable    commercial fisheries.

                    oyster harvesting with hand tongs.

                   Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV)

                   SAV are considered indicator species for    water quality and provide important habitat for many
                   animal species. Historically there were well-established SAV beds in the lower Nanticoke and
                   outer Fishing Bay. SAV has disappeared in the Nanticoke and almost all of Fishing Bay since
                   1970* based on U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyNirginia Institute of Marine Sciences
                   surveys. This survey also indicates a significant reduction in waterfowl and shellfish populations.
                   Water quality improvements are necessary before SAV can be expected to increase by significant
                   amounts.

                                                                    15

                 Finfish
                                                             striped bass Crockfish)
                 Resident and transient fish    species  provide both recreational and commercial fisheries. The
                 principal recreational species are: white and yellow perch, pickerel, catfish, and largemouth bass
                 in the upper portions of the watershed, and bluefish, sea trout and striped bass (rockfish) in more
                 saline habitats. White perch, catfish and, formerly, rockfish comprise the majority of the
                 commercial catch. A specialized commercial fishery also exists for American eels which are sold
                 as crabbing and fishing bait and exported for consumption. A wide variety of other finfish species
                 also occur but are not generally sold commercially.
                                                                   E@tl              I     white perch
                  Extensive research is being conducted on the                                           yellow perch
                  Nanticoke due to the serious decline of its
                  striped   bass    spawning     success.     The
                  Delmarva Power Corporation's Vienna                                                        71
                                                                                                                      C140
                  Generating Plant is located near the center of
                  the striped bass spawning area in the                                MS
                  Nanticoke and is proposed for expansion.
                  Concerns about further impacting spawning
                  success have led to additional studies as part
                  of the review for the expansion.                                                   pickerel

                                                                                                 -S
                  Oyster                                                                                 catfish
                                                                                                                - @w
                  The oyster resource in    the study   area   has
                  been decimated by the     diseases MSX      and
                  Den-no as well as by historic over-harvesting   Americ
                                                                        a noyster
                  and water quality degradation. Public oyster
                  bars, natural oyster bars and private leases
                  currently produce few marketable size                                                      largernouth bass
                  oysters.

                  Oyster harvests were relatively low during
                  the late 1960's and early 1970's but were
                  higher in the late 1970's with a peak around            bluefish
                  1979. Harvests have declined since that time.

                                                                      sea trout
                  Blue Crab

                  Blue crabs   are found throughout the lower                                            .hizaill.-
                  portions of the river system. Annual harvests
                  fluctuate for the blue crab. The crab is now                                                 American eel
                  the most viable commercial fishery.

                                                           blue crab

                   JMCE: "Habitd Requirements for Chesapeake Bay Living Resource
                            wid pci@wW ommminication wob DNR Fisheries and Wil"4 Divisions.

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                                                -Nanticoke River Watershed
                                                                            Wildlife

                                                                                  -17

                  CULTURAL RESOURCES

                  Cultural resources are sites, structures, deposits and other evidence of historic human
                  occupation. They are divided into two primary types in this region. Archaeological sites pertain
                  to places where evidence of native American habitation is deposited. Historical structures are
                  remains of Eitropean-American habitation.

                  ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES

                  Evidence of intensive native American
                  habitation can be found along the river
                  systems in the watershed. The Nanticoke
                  Indian tribe established a network of villages
                  and encampments which persisted until the
                  area was absorbed by European inhabitants.
                  Evidence of their presence is revealed
                  primarily by piles of discarded oyster shell          A deer hunting  method.
                  called shell middens. There are also deposits
                  which contain stone tools and pottery.                Very little archeological work had been done
                  (Locations of sites are not depicted.)                in Caroline County prior to the founding of
                                                                        the Upper Delmarva Regional Preservation
                                                                        Center in 1981. Mr. Joe Reinhart, a local
                                  qua                                   amateur archaeologist, initially discovered a
                                          SPEAR PCXNT
                                                                        number of prehistoric sites in the county.
                                                                        The Regional Preservation Center has since
                                                                        increased the number of inventoried sites to
                                    AsAOw HEADS                         83. Most of the research in Caroline County
                                                                        has been limited to prehistoric sites.

                         PE11LE                      AX.E.AD            A 1980 study of Dorchester County's artifact
                  -stone mplements made by Maryland       Indians,      collection has resulted in an overview of the
                  Approximately       25%     of     Maryland's         county's pre-history. Other studies by the
                  inventoried archeological sites are located on        center have included a record of free black
                  the Eastern Shore. These sites * include              populations for the earliest colonial period
                  European-Indian contact sites and free black          until the post Civil War era, and research of
                  (underground railroad) sites. Approximately           the European-Indian culture contact period,
                  305    sites  lie   within   the     Nanticoke        which resulted in the discovery of a village
                  Watershed. Early archeological research of            site, one of the few known in the Mid-
                  the Eastern Shore has historically been               Atlantic region. A total of 166 archeological
                  performed     by    amateur     archaeologists.       sites were recorded as of 1986.
                  Identification of many of the known sites
                  has occurred since the formation of the               There were 76 inventoried archeological
                  Northeast, Mid-Shore and Lower Delmarva               sites recorded in Wicomico County in 1986.
                  chapters of the Archaeological Society of             Most of this research has focused on the
                  Maryland.                                             prehistoric period.

                                                                    18

                   HISTORIC STRUCTURES

                   Standing structures and sites of historic European habitation are found in the watershed. 7he
                   most significant and best preserved of these sites are inventoried by various history societies.
                   Historic structures included on the National Register are located on the Historic Standing
                   Structures rnap.

                   Approximately 4.5% of the Maryland                      pre-1940 properties in this county. There is
                   Historic     Trust    inventoried      historical       a survey focusing primarily on pre-Civil War
                   structures are in Caroline, Dorchester and              structures with major work being done in
                   Wicomico Counties.                                      Cambridge and Vienna. The southern portion
                                                                           of the county has not been studied as
                   Caroline County contains 284 inventoried                extensively as the northern portion.
                   listings and there are an estimated total of
                   4,098 pre-1940 properties in the county.                There are 152 inventoried sites listed in
                                                                           Wicomico County including 14 properties
                   The Dorchester County inventory contains                listed on the National Register of Historic
                   735 inventoried listings with 17 of these               Places. There are an estimated 6,688 pre-
                   sites listed on the National Register of                1940 properties in the county.
                   Historic Places. 'Ar'llere are an estimated 5,579

                                                                    d@3

                                                                                  4 Fd
         J
                                                                            MT

                                   Historic structures along the shores of the Nanticoke River in Vienna.

                                                                      19

                                                iV-

                                                      N

                                                           all

        Historic Structure
               A                                         Fee

                                                         0       30"     60"

                          Nanticoke River Watershed
                             Historic Standing Structures
                                             20

                  RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

                  Recreation in the watershed is primarily resource based, such as hunting and fishing. 77zese
                  activities are important to the local economy. Sportsmen are drawn to the watershed front
                  throughout the Mid-Atlantic region to experience one of the premier waterfowl and deer hunting
                  areas on the East Coast. Recreation provides customers for food, gas, sporting goods, guide
                  services and lodging establishments, as well as providing income for those who lease their land
                  to hunters. Waterfowl hunting revenues have decreased with the waterfowl population decline and
                  the subsequent reduction in seasons and limits. Ecotourism, conversely, is increasing and supplies
                  customers for the local bed and breakfast industries. Bicycling, canoeing and hiking are also
                  popular due to the relatively flat topography and scenic quality which typify the watershed.
                  Recreational boating and high-speed bass boating is also increasing and may have impacts on
                  living resources. Recreation is provided on both public and private lands and public waterways.

                  PUBLIC LANDS

                                        The Public Lands map shows federal, state
                                        and county owned lands available for public

                                        use.

                                                                                      Boating  on Big Marsh Creek.

                                                                   21

                                                                                 00"

                                      a     ater

                                                                              eCo

                                                                                                   mer-

          Public Land

                                                                                 Feet
                                                                                                              I

                                                                                 0           30000.      60000

                                      Nanticoke River Watershed
                                                         Public Land

                                                                 .-22

                   State Lands                                              County and Local Parks

                   The largest public landowner in the study                Eight county parks are located within the
                   area is the DNR with five Wildlife                       watershed; four in Caroline, three in
                   Management Areas (WMA's): Fishing Bay                    Wicomico and one in Dorchester County.
                   (21,256 acres), Idy1wild (2,639 acres),                  These parks offer various recreational
                   LeCompte (485 acres), Linkwood (313                      opportunities including boat launching
                   acres) and Nanticoke River (1688 acres).                 facilities, hiking and picnicking. Active
                   State Program Open Space funds are used                  recreational facilities are also located in
                   for acquisition, as well as Federal funds and            these parks and at local public schools and
                   shared projects with local conservancy and               playgrounds.
                   land trust organizations. These State lands
                   also form part of a large corridor or                    Shoreline Access
                   greenway extending outside of the study area
                   that includes Ellis Bay, Taylors Island, Deal            The Bay Access map indicates locations
                   Island, Fairmount, Cedar Island Wildlife                 where public water
                                                                                                  firont or boat launching
                   Management Areas and Janes Island State                  facilities are availible.
                   Park near Crisfield.
                                                                            Shoreline access is limited by the extensive
                   These parcels are managed for wildlife with              marsh fringes which typify the watershed.
                   an emphasis on game species and are open                 Boating access points are mostly small
                   to the public for hunting and fishing in                 facilities in the towns or where bridges cross
                   season and all year for wildlife observation             certain tributaries. Eleven public ramps exist
                   and nature study. They do not, however,                  within the watershed, most of which are
                   provide facilities.                                      located in the lower portions of the study
                                                                            area. The DNR's Boating Administration
                   Federal Lands                                            provides funding assistance to local
                                                                            governments for boat ramps, harbors and
                   The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is               sanitary pump-out facilities, and shore
                   20,090 acres and is the only Federally                   erosion     control     projects     for    local
                   protected area in the study area. The                    governments and private landowners. County
                   Blackwater Refuge is noted for its winter                and municipal governments in the coastal
                   concentrations of eagles and waterfowl, and              zone are also eligible for funding of low cost
                   extensive management efforts have been                   construction/acquisition      projects      under
                   undertaken there, including construction and             Section     306A of the Coastal             Zone
                   operation of a series of impoundments. The               Management Act through Program Open
                   Refuge is also an important destination for              Space.
                   tourists in Dorchester County. The wildlife
                   drive allows people to observe wildlife from             Fishing and car-top boating access frequently
                   their automobiles. Views over the pristine               occurs where a bridge crosses or abuts a
                   marsh are also provided from hiking trails.              tributary. There are no special facilities at
                                                                            these popularly used locations.

                                                                     ,23

        7'f I

                                        474V

        Day Access Point

                                                               Fed

                                                               0        30M      60WO

                            Nanticoke River Watershed
                                           Bay Access

                                               -24

                  Private Lands and Facilities

                  Many privately owned lands and riparian rights are leased for hunting. Overnight facilities are
                  also provided by private entrepreneurs.

                   Cam  pgrounds and Bed and Breakfasts                  Conservation Easements

                   There are two Boy Scout camps, Camp                   Easements provide public benefit in the form
                   Nanticoke and Camp Merrill. Environmental             of environmental protection but usually do
                   education is an important goal of the Boy             not provide public access. There are
                   Scouts at their camps. There is a commercial          currently two DNR easements in the
                   campground located on the lower Nanticoke             watershed      through      the     Maryland
                   River near Tyaskin.                                   Environmental Trust: Tudor Farms (2,532.5
                                                                         acres) and the Burnett property (25.5 acres)
                   Vienna has a small waterfront bed and
                   breakfast industry. The historic buildings and
                   nearby ecotourism opportunities are popular
                   attractions. There are also bed and breakfasts
                   in Hurlock and along the Marshyhope Creek.

                                                                    X

                                                                                    "Nei
                                                              3N    It'?                    rl

    FE

                               Wetland vegetation along Nanticoke waterfront in Vienna bed and breakfast area.

                                                                    25

    I
    I
    I
    I
    I
    1          11. AGENCY ACTIVITIES
    I
    i
    I
    I
    I
    I
    I
    I
    I
    I
    I

    w

                          26

    A

                                                                      SELECTED AGENCY ACTIVITIES
                                                                                LIVING RESOURCES

                                                                                                                                                 M."M
                                                                                                                                                  M..
                                            11! On,                 1@14 M'M
                         Greenways & Resource                   Nanticoke River Watershed:           Completed     Provides a brief description of site specific and
                         Planning (GRP)                         A Summary of Resource                              regionally oriented enhancement activities which
                                                                Characteristics and                                have been initiated as a result of this study
                                                                Enhancement Activities                             - Information can be used to identify future
                                                                                                                   enhancement activities

                                                                Resource planning projects           On-going      - Coordinate local Greenways plans with DNR
                                                                with local governments &                           public lands planning and mapping.
                                                                other DNR agenciestprivate                         - Provide technical assistance to local governments,
                                                                organizations                                      organizations for enhancement projects

                                                                Marshyhope Creek                     FY 95         - Technical assistance project with POS, Boating
                                                                Waterfront                                         Administration, Chesapeake Bay Trust, Md Dept. of
                                                                Park/Federalsburg                                  the Environment, and ISTEA committee to stabilize
                                                                                                                   a 4500' shoreline with wetland plantings and 200
                                                                                                                   landscape trees
                                                                Delmarva Power & Light               Conceptual/   - Effort to explore the feasibility of an
                                                                fly ash dump impoundment             preliminary   impoundment at the abandoned fly ash dump
                                                                +1000 acres                          review        across from DP&L Vienna Power Plant;
                                                                                                                   interagency discussions with Wildlife, Wetlands,
                                                                                                                   Power Plant Siting, POS

                                                                Acquisition mapping for              Finalizing    - GIS maps of public lands including the subject
                                                                DNR lands                                          watershed

                         Program Open Space                     Land acquisition for DNR;            On-going      - Coordinate DNR land acquisition throughout
                         (POS)                                  assist local governments                           the watershed
                                                                with their acquisition,                            - Guide local government with die funding of
                                                                development funds                                  acquisition and development projects

                                                                Agricultural easements land          On-going      - Joint effort with Md Department of Agriculture
                                                                preservation program                               - Acquisition program designed to purchase
                                                                                                                   development rights in order to keep land in
                                                                                                                   agriculture

                         Forest Service                         State Forest Inventory               FY 93-94      - GIS mapping of current Forest Inventory in the
                                                                                                                   watershed

                                                                Identification of                    FY 93-94      - Joint effort with Coastal and Watershed Resources
                                                                reforestation opportunities                        - Inventory and mapping of areas suitable
                                                                                                                   reforestation opportunities within the 100' tidal
                                                                                                                   buffer & 300' riparian corridor

                                                                Reforestation Program                On-going      - Provide assistance to landowners in reforesting
                                                                                                                   harvested woodlands and old farm fields. Seedlings
                                                                                                                   provided by state nursery at cost. State and federal
                                                                                                                   cost share programs available to landowners that
                                                                                                                   pay 50% to 65% of    the reforestation expense.
                                                                Administration of State              On-going      - Guide local government and land owners in the
                                                                Forest Conservation Act                            implementation of the Forest Conservation Act

                                                                Stewardship Program                  On-going      - Joint effort with public agencies and private
                                                                                                                   organizations to help private property owners to
                                                                                                                   prepare management plans that take an integrated
                                                                                                                   approach to natural resource management Wtored to
                                                                                                                   the landowner objectives and to manage for multiple
                                                                                                                   benefits including timber, wildlife...
                                                                                                                   - Federal funds

                                                                Faulkner Branch Acidity              FY 93         - Study/analysis of the pH levels in Faulkner
                                                                Study                                Spawning      Branch. Emphasis placed on pH levels after
                                                                                                     Season        rainfall events

                                                                                                 27

                   SELECrED AGENCY ACTIVITIES
                   LIVING RESOURCES

                                                                                                                                       .. .......
                                                                                           R
                                                                                                                                            g @4-
                                                                                                               gv         I

                       Forest Service                        Forest Pest Program               On-going        Monitor die effects of southern pine beetle,
                                                                                                               assist landowners with recommendations for
                                                                                                               control of any infested areas; assist Md. Dept of
                                                                                                               Agriculture in the gypsy moth control program.
                                                                                                               Local Forestry Board oversees a cost share program
                                                                                                               where landowners whose property is infested can be
                                                                                                               sprayed.

                                                             Buffer Incentive Program          On-going        - Provide grants to landowners ($500/acre) to
                                                                                                               reforest open fields. Land must be within 300' of
                                                                                                               a blue line stream or within the 100 year flood
                                                                                                               plain.
                                                                                                               - State funds

                       Maryland Environmental                Local land assistance,            On-going        - Guide/assist in the donation of perpetual
                       Trust                                 Monitor/stewardship of                            conservation easements to preserve farmland,
                                                             existing conservation                             forestland, waterfront, rare or unique natural areas,
                                                             easements. Solicitation of                        scenic, endangered species habitat, historic
                                                             new conservation easement                         properties and other rural land
                                                             donors

                       Chesapeake Bay Research               Biological Indicators             On-going        - Fish community sampling with beach seine and
                                      cy
                       & Monitorin.,                         Project                                           bottom trawls
                                                                                                               - Water quality parameters measured with Hydrolab
                                                                                                               Surveyor1l

                                                             Water quality monitoring          FY 93           - Experimental study & analysis of current water
                                                             buoy in Mafshyhope Creek          Spawning        quality conditions in Marshyhope Creek
                                                                                               Season

                       Tidal Fisheries Division              Striped Bass recruitment          Completed/      Joint effort with Power Plant & Environmental
                                                             study & seminar                   final report    Review
                                                                                               pending

                                                             Anadromous fish studies           FY 94           - Juvenile sampling and seines at fish sample
                                                             for Striped Bass, American                        stations; conducting a marktrecapture study at
                                                             Shad & Herring                                    these points
                                                             Fish Passage Program,             FY 93-94        - Work with private landowners in order to improve
                                                             Barren Creek                                      fish passage along Barren Creek

                                                             Oyster bar charts                 Completed       - Map location of Oyster Bars within watershed
                                                             Oyster bar seeding                On-going        - Minor seeding program on the natural oyster bars
                                                                                                               that were hit the least by the MSX disease

                                                             Fish studies for Striped          On-going
                                                             Bass, American Shad, and
                                                             Herring

                       Power Plant &                         Delmarva Power Corp.              FY 93-94        - Currently reviewing proposal for expansion of the
                       Environmental      Review             Vienna plant expansion                            Vienna power plant

                                                             Striped Bass recruitment          Completed/      - Joint effort with Chesapeake Bay Research &
                                                             study & seminar                   final report    Monitoring
                                                                                               pending

                       Water Resources Admin,                Wetlands & Waterways              On-going        State regulatory program to protect tidal and
                       Water & Wetlands Program              regulatory programs                               nonddal wetlands throughout the State
                                                             Water appropriation               On-going        Review water appropriation requests and surface
                                                             reques(s                                          ining reclarnaflon projecis

                                                                                               28

                     SELECTED AGENCY ACTIVIT IE S
                     LrVING RESOURCES

                         Water Resources Admin,                 Wetlands quarter quad               Pending       Enforcement of regulated activities and mapping
                         Enforcement Services                   mapping                             Funding      of wetland resources on a county by county basis
                         Program

                          Natural Heritage Program              Natural Heritage                    On-going     - Maintains database on Maryland rare & threatened
                                                                Database                                         species and natural communities. Inventory work
                                                                                                                 currently in progress in the watershed
                                                                Natural Areas Registry              On-going     - Currently working with timber companies and
                                                                                                                 other private landowners to protect and re-
                                                                                                                 establish areas of natural habitat; advises The
                                                                                                                 Nature Conservancy on their protection efforts in
                                                                                                                 the watershed.

                         Freshwater Fisheries                   Largemouth Black Bass               FY 93        - Currently studying the Black Bass of Marshyhope
                         Division                               studies                                          "Creek which is the principal spawning area for the
                                                                                                                 bass in the watershed

                         Wildlife Division                      Non-game & bald eagle               On-going     - State-wide continual survey and mapping
                                                                surveys

                                                                Phragmites control                  On-going     - Currently conducted in disturbed areas
                                                                                                                 (i.e. impoundments)

                                                                Atlantic Coast Joint                On-going     - Plan for the protection and enhancement of habitat
                                                                Venture/Nandcoke                                 and buffers, repair of existing tidal impoundments,
                                                                Blackwater Area Focus                            nesting structures, and possible establishment of
                                                                Plan                                             wildlife sanctuaries according to the Blackwater
                                                                                                                 Area Focus Plan

                                                                Green's Island                      Permit       - Renovations of this impoundment to improve
                                                                Impoundment construction            Review       habitat for waterfowl

                                                                Mapping of waterfowl                On-going     - Survey and mapping
                                                                concentration areas on                           - Maps provided to local planning agencies for
                                                                aerials and into GIS                             resource protection and planning
                                                                quads

                         Wildlife Division                      Midwinter waterfowl trend           On-going     - Used to determine trends in populations and
                         (continued)                            information                                      changes in the distribution

                                                                Big Marsh area study and            In Progress
                                                                habitat improvement

                                                                Stewardship Program                 On-going     - Joint effort with Forestry Service

                                                                Nanticoke River WMA                 On-going     - Prepare management plan; part of the Statewide
                                                                management plan                                  effort to re-write the management plans for all
                                                                                                                 WMA's including Idylwild, Linkwood, Fishing
                                                                                                                 Bay, Le Compte
                                                                Delmarva fox squirrel               On-going     - Currently working with timber companies,
                                                                                                                 landowners, and local government to conserve
                                                                                                                 Delmarva Fox Squirrel habitat
                         Maryland Dept. of                      Mosquito control                    On-going     - Components of this program on hold due to black
                         Agriculture                                                                             rail concerns
                                                                Agricultural land                   On-going     - Joint effort with Program Open Space
                                                                preservation program                             - Acquisition program designed to purchase
                                                                easements                                        development rights in order to keep land in active
                                                                                                                 agriculture

                                                                                               29

                     SELECTED AGENCY ACTIVITIES
                     LIVING RESOURCES

                                             .M
                                                             A                             ;xM 1k1,A1W.R'@N1_x
                                                                                                                    111 MR.,
                                                                                        01%
                         Maryland Office of                      Maryland Growth                     On-going       Assist local government in updating their
                         Planning                                Management Act                                    comprehensive open space plans and compliance
                                                                 implementation                                    with Maryland's Growth Management Plan

                         Coastal & Watershed                     Identification of forest          FY 93-94        - Joint effort with Forestry Service, Md
                         Resources                               conservation and forestation                      Environmental Trust, Md Agricultural Land
                                                                 opportunities in the                              Preservation Foundation
                                                                 watershed as part of a
                                                                 statewide effort

                                                                 Updating & refining               FY mid-94       - Inventory and mapping of suitable forest
                                                                 computerized maps and                             conservation and reforestation opportunities within
                                                                 associate database                                the 100' tidal buffer & 300' riparian corridor

                                                                 Maryland Growth                     On-going      - Assist local governments in updating their
                                                                 Management Act                                    comprehensive plans and working on compliance
                                                                 Implementation                                    with Maryland's Growth Management Plan

                                                                 Maryland's Chesapeake               On-going      - Part of statewide effort to develop watershed plans
                                                                 Bay Tributary Strategies                          for reducing nutrient pollution from point and
                                                                                                                   non-point sources. The Nanticoke River is pan of
                                                                                                                   the Lower Eastern Shore Watershed.

                                                                                                  30

                                                                     SELECTED AGENCY ACTIVITIES
                                                                         RECREATIONAL               RESOURCES

                                                                             01'*.@@ _P!  9

                          Greenways & Re      source            Nanticoke River: A               Completed       Provides a brief description of site specific and
                          Planning (GRP)                        Summary of Resource                              regionally oriented enhancement activities wWch
                                                                Characteristics and                              have been initiated as a result of this study
                                                                Enhancement Activities                           - Information can be used to identify future
                                                                                                                 enhancement acfivities

                                                                Mapping                             On-going     - Mapping the project boundary of Fish.ing Bay,
                                                                                                                 600' scale

                                                                Federalsburg Hike & Dike            FY 95        -Technical assistance project with the Town of
                                                                Trail                                            Federalsburg. ISTEA approved funding for the (rail
                                                                                                                 along the Marshyhope Creek/part of the
                                                                                                                 Marshyhope Waterfront Park project
                          Program Open Space                    Acquisition of recreation           On-going     - Assist state agencies and local governments with
                          (POS)                                 areas                                            funding requests for acquisidon, development

                          Boating Administration                Wetipquin Creek boat ramp           FY 94        - Designed to provide better boating access for the
                          (BOA)                                 improvement                                      public
                                                                Bivalve harbor jetties              FY 94        - Engineering plans completed
                                                                Vienna ramp permit                  FY 92        - Designed to provide better boating access for the
                                                                acquisition                                      public

                                                                Marine pump-out facilities          FY 92        - Designed to provide convenient and safe pump-out
                                                                at Nanticoke Harbor and                          facilities for the boating public
                                                                Cedar Hill Park

                                                                Bivalve Wharf engineering           FY 93        - Grant provided by the Boating Adn-dnistration to
                                                                project in Wiconuco                              Wicomico County for the renovation and upgrading
                                                                County                                           of Bivalve Wharf

                                                                Breakwater for shore                FY 94        - Project to aid in the control of shore erosion in the
                                                                erosion control at Cedar                         Park
                                                                Hill Park in Bivalve

                                                                Federalsburg, Marshyhope            FY 94        - Project to control shoreline erosion
                                                                Creek

                                                                Elliott Island Harbor               On-going     - Grant provided to Dorchester County for Elliott
                                                                improvements                                     Island Harbor improvements
                          Tidal Fisheries Division              Fish studies for Striped            On-going     - Statew1de study including subject watershed
                                                                Bass, American Shad and
                                                                Herring

                                                                Anadromous fish studies             Ongoing      - Juvenile sampling and seines at fish sample
                                                                for Striped Bass, American                       stations. Conducting a marktrecapture study at these
                                                                Shad & Herring                                   points

                                                                Boat ramp at Nanticoke              FY '95       - Planned to provide access to the marsh within the
                                                                River WMA                                        Nanticoke River WMA

                          Freshwater Fisheries                  Fish pond stocking                  FY 93        - Various stocking on an as needed basis
                          Division

                                                                Largemouth Black Bass               On-going     - Currently studying the Black Bass in Marshyhope
                                                                studies                                          Creek, which is the principal spawning area for
                                                                                                                 the bass in the watershed

                                                                                                 31

                  SE.LE,C`ITA) A(;I,',NCI'A(7['IVI*1'11,"S
                  RECREATION RESOURCES

                               A
                                                                                      ys.
                    Freshwater Fisheries            Fish pond stocking             FY 93      - Various stocking on an as needed basis
                    Division

                                                    Largemouth Black Bass        On-going     - Currently studying the Black Bass in Marshyhope
                                                    studies                                   Creek, which is the principal spawning area for
                                                                                              tk bass in the watershed

                    Wildlife Division               Hunting, trapping, Wking,     Seasonal     Hunting by permit on wildlife management areas
                                                    nature study, fishing,
                                                    crabbing, photography, bird
                                                    watching, boating/canoeing

                                                                      N.,
                                                                                         Canada goose

                                     great blue heron

                                                                                32

                        111. GREENWAYS AND RESOURCE
                                                    PLANNING
                               ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES

                 During the development of this study, Greenways & Resource Planning (GRP) staff have
                 witnessed an increasing level of public awareness and discussion about new initiatives under-
                 taken by a variety of sponsors to protect and enhance resources associated with the Nanticoke
                 River. GRP has offered technical assistance in the coordination of enhancement projects Which
                 are compatible with these initiatives which help promote river conservation. Technical assistance
                 efforts have focused on the FederalsburgIMarshyhope Creek and Vienna areas. GRP has been
                 directly involved with or has discussed the potential opportunities associated with the following
                 enhancement initiatives:

                                                                 33

                                                             V"'

                                                                     Feet

                                                                    0         3 00     60000
                                Nanticoke River Watershed
                                                Focus Areas

                                                      34

                  Federalsburg Focus Area

                  The Town of Federalsburg requested technical assistance to develop a waterfront park system
                  along the dredge filled banks of the Marshyhope Creek. GRP staff devised a master plan,
                  identified funding and technical assistance sources, facilitated interagency coordination and
                  funding requisition, and developed schematic and detailed design documentation. The following
                  are the individual components of the master plan.

                  Federalsburg Waterfront Non-structural Shoreline Erosion Control & Marsh Creation:

                         A 42,000 square foot spartina grass marsh creation project is proposed by the DNR Shore
                  Erosion Control in Marina Park along the Marshyhope Creek to control erosion and provide tidal
                  wetland habitat. GRP has prepared a design to unify the project with landscape elements.

                         SEC has requested funding from.the Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grant.

                  Federalsburg Shoreline Buffer:

                         Native wetland shrub plantings along 2,500 feet of the Marshyhope Creek and its
                  tributaries is proposed to complement the Shore Erosion Control project.- Federalsburg has applied
                  to the Chesapeake Bay Trust for funding.

                         DNR may also be asked to provide technical assistance for wildlife structures and to assist
                  further in the coordination of efforts and the supervision of construction.

                  Federalsburg Wetland Mitigation:

                         The Water Resources Administration is actively pursuing mitigation sites in Caroline and
                  Dorchester Counties. Federalsburg/Marsbyhope Creek is suitable for non-tidal forested wetland
                  mitigation. If the Federalsburg site is selected, GRP will initiate topographic analysis.

                  Federalsburg Waterfront Ilike and Bike Trail:

                         Gravel trails and landscaping in the urban waterfront park create a scenic walkway along
                  the Marshyhope Creek. The construction of the trail, landscaping, bridge, and marsh creation
                  could offer economic opportunities. The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act
                  (ISTEA) committee has approved the grant application. The Department of Transportation is
                  preparing a Memorandum of Understanding. When the contract is signed, the ISTEA contracts
                  will be advertised. Implementation is scheduled for the Fall 1994.

                         Federalsburg has applied to the U.S. Forest Service to request a Small Business Grant for
                  tree planting. The Town is considering presen   ting the concept to local groups and providing a
                  forum to explore opportunities with local and state agencies and public/private organizations.
                  If feasible, DNR could be requested to provide further technical assistance,

                                                                  35

                  Federalsburg Mine-pond Reclamation Swimming Facility:

                         The current owner of two abandoned mine ponds adjacent to Marina Park has expressed
                  interest in selling/donating the site. Caroline County representatives have been approached to
                  determine their interest in management.

                         Federalsburg may wish to survey members of the local community to determine interest
                  and support for the project. If feasible, DNR could be requested to provide further technical
                  assistance.

                  Marshyhope Creek Canoe Access:

                         Federalsburg is exploring primitive canoe access points along the creek and has applied
                  for funding. Dorchester County Department of Parks and Recreation is considering access at two
                  bridge crossings.

                         GRP has made Boating Administration aware of the interest. Boating has agreed to
                  explore the feasibility of implementing this component of the plan.

                  Federalsburg/Smithville Boating, Swinuning, Biking, Outfitters, and Bait and Tackle Store:

                          Ecological restoration and recreational facility development projects are potential
                  opportunities for small business ventures that are associated with fishing, canoeing, swimming,
                  and cycling.

                         The Town has discussed the possibility of presenting the economic viability of thernaster
                  plan to local groups, business community, etc. and  providing a forum to explore opportunities
                  with local and state agencies and public/private    organizations. If feasible, DNR could be
                  requested to provide further technical assistance.

                                                                                  IIY@
                                                                                    kl: " t
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                                                                  VIZ. '771

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                                                                                                     ;W
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                               CENTRAL AVENUE, FEDERALSBURG              MARSHYHOPE      CREEK

                                                                36

                  Vienna Focus Area

                  GRP was approached by the Vienna town government, Wicomico County Department of Parks
                  and Recreation, and the Chesapeake Corporation with a variety of potential enhancement
                  opportunities. The following activities have been initiated as a result of these investigations.

                  Vienna Marsh:

                         Greenways & Resource Planning is soliciting comments on the feasibility of converting
                  the Delmarva Power & Light fly-ash dump to an impoundment for emergent marsh habitat
                  restoration and waterfowl sanctuary. Staff has conducted a precursory review with many of the
                  appropriate agencies of the Department. Preliminary tests need to be conducted to assess
                  environmental conditions.

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                                   Del rn arva Power & Light plant on the 'Nanticoke  In Vienna

                  Vienna-Hebron-Salisbury Rail-Trail:

                          The proposed rail-trail project will link the Nanticoke River to Salisbury via a joint effort
                  with Delmarva Power & Light. DP&L is considering allowing access from Hebron to the Vienna
                  Marsh along the power line right-of-way. Wicomico County owns the old Route 50 roadway
                  through the marsh to the Nanticoke River.

                         DNR is sub-leasing the railroad right of way for conversion to a rail trail. Recreational
                  facilities, such as an observation tower or fishing pier could be developed on the abandoned
                  Route 50 alignment in the marsh across from Vienna. Program Open Space and Greenways and
                  Resource Planning are providing technical assistance.

                                                                 37

                  Vienna Ecotourism Outfitter, Bed & Breakfast, and Tour Guide Service:

                          The Town of Vienna has potential opportunities for the private sector/business community
                  to respond to the increased ecotourism trend in the area. There is an abandoned Coast Guard
                  building in Town which, if supported by the Federal government, has the potential to be
                  converted into a facility that could support economic development. The Town may wish to
                  consider improving the existing boating facilities.

                  Nanticoke River/Marsbyhope Creek
                  Public/Private Partnerships:

                          Private landowners can promote, provide and enhance greenways opportunities throughout
                  the Watershed. Chesapeake Corporation has expressed interest in converting formerly harvested
                  areas along the Nanticoke River and Marshyhope Creek into a public use forest and nature
                  interpretation area. The site has potential for opportunities for public access, canoe access, nature
                  and interpretative trails and non-consumptive wildlife use.

                          Greenways & Resource Planning has agreed to provide technical assistance and to
                  coordinate, if requested, participation in educational forums to discuss stewardship objectives.

                  Scenic, Historical and Natural Features Driving Tour:

                          Greenways & Resource Planning is exploring sites of natural features, scenic areas and
                  historic interest to prepare a brochure for a scenic drive for the Eastern Region. A segment of
                  the drive identifies sites within the Nanticoke Watershed that represent significant destination
                  points for a family drive.

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                                             US Department of Commerce
                                        NOAA Coa@faj Services Center L"oTari,
                                              2234 South Hebson
                                               Charleston, SC 2Z)405-2413                              I
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                                                                                                                                   NDAA COASTAL SERVICES CTR LIBRARY

                                                                                                                                   3 6668 14111451 4

                                                                                           ...... ....

                                                                   Greenways and Resource Planning
                                                                       Tawes State Office Building
                                                                       Annapolis, Maryland 21401
                                                                              Tel. 410-974-3654
                                                                                              -*AMK*m