[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

















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                         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.

















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                                                                               HOWARD                        KENT

                                                                      MONTGOMEny
                                                                                        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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                     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.








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            Shoreline structureson the Nanticoke at Vienna.
















                                                                 5.





 IDATA SOURCE: Maryland Office of Planning





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       Land Use
         @ Agriculture                                                                     Fed
                 Forest
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                                      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























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        Wetland
                    Estuarine                                                                       Feet
                    Lacustrine and Palustrine                                                       661-m@                        6@@.                     M
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                                            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
                                                                              @,[email protected]
                                                                                     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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                                                                        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



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1          11. AGENCY ACTIVITIES
I
i
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                      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
                                                                                     V
                                                                                    J,


                                                              VIZ. '771

                                          On-

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                           CENTRAL AVENUE, FEDERALSBURG              MARSHYHOPE      CREEK





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              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.



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