Magothy River Association

Be on the lookout for this invasive species…Celebrate Earth Day in Severna Park and learn what you can do to improve our rivers’ water quality…Mark your calendar for music and an evening boat parade on June 14 in celebration of Magothy River Day…MRA Team Diver Training and Community Science: Dark False Mussel Study videos added to YouTube.

Help Jamie Smith collect Rangia clams for her senior project.

My name is Jamie Smith and I am looking for some help collecting Rangia clams for my senior project.  I am trying to collect as many clams as I can so they can be placed in containers under certain piers.  Once a month I will measure their growth rate.  This will be able to help us understand if the Rangia clam is an additional filter feeder that could be used to help clean the Magothy River. 

I have been able to find the Rangia clam in depths of fewer than 3 feet deep.  If you are able to, please look around and under your piers for Rangia clams and let me know approximately how many there are.  In most cases, you will be able to see the clam right on top of the mud.  Some burrow themselves slightly under the mud, so you should see a lighter color mud circle in that area. 

I am looking to start my project on June 1.  I will be home from college on May 15 so if you are able to let me know if there are Rangia clams available around your pier by the May 15 at the latest, that would be great.  I also welcome any information whenever it comes available that way. If I am ever home prior to May 15, I could possibly come collect any clams at that time. 

You can e-mail me any questions, concerns, or information.

Thank you,
Jamie Smith     

It’s time to renew your personal membership of $15 for another year. Encourage your community homeowners association to join for $25 a year and have a voice on the Board.

One hundred percent of your membership funds are applied to protecting, preserving and improving the Magothy River.  And, if you can, help us continue our fight for the critical area by donating to the Island fund.

Print out your membership renewal form and mail it today!

On April 20, 2008, MRA divers will hold their annual Earth Day Dive. This year we will be hosting not only 10 divers from the U.S. Naval Academy, but also 16 from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

The dive will be on the newly planted oyster reef off Ulmstead Point. This reef was planted in 2006 with 2.7 million oysters. The divers will collect random oyster samples to assess distribution, mortality, and growth.

The Clearwater Bacteria Monitoring Program program is available to all Magothy River water-side constituents. Dr. Sally Hornor, aquatic microbiologist on the staff of Anne Arundel Community College, and long-time MRA volunteer, conducts water sampling/testing during the summer months. This program is good for community beaches, marinas, and private residences—anyone who has a stake in the cleanliness of the river. Do you want to make sure that the water is not unhealthy before you, your children, or your community comes in contact with it?
 
This program does have a cost—but it is potentially a worthwhile cost. Please read the attached flyer for details. Note: the same flyer has been mailed to most of the community associations around the river. You may want to follow up with your own association if you feel this is a good fit for your location on the river.

Coming Wednesday, Feb. 27 “Weary Shoreline” is a Maryland Public Television-produced documentary special that explores how shoreline construction is contributing to the Chesapeake Bay’s demise. MPT examines how failure to enforce one of the state’s most important environmental laws is a significant factor in the decline of the Chesapeake Bay’s health.

“Weary Shoreline” on MPT, Wednesday, February 27 at 9:00 pm

Do you, family, or friends enjoy spending time on the Magothy River? Would you like to find out how you can help to protect and restore this precious resource? Would you like to hear about all of the great things happening on your river?
 
The Magothy River Association will hold its sixth annual “State of the Magothy River” presentation on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, starting at 7:00 PM. The meeting will feature the annual Magothy River Index (with a new format this year) and a Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail overview.

Date:    Wednesday February 20, 2008
Time: Doors & displays open 6:30 P.M., Program 7:00-9:00 PM
Place:   Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, West Campus, Cade Fine Arts Bldg, Rm 219 (use Parking Lot F, closest to Ritchie Hwy)
Directions: http://www.aacc.cc.md.us/locationsandmaps/maps.cfm
Refreshments will be served

Scheduled speakers:

1. 2007 Magothy River Index – Prepared by Dr. Peter Bergstrom, NOAA and MRA. (Produced each year since 2003)
2. Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail overview - Sarah Bransom, National Park Service
3. MRA Creek Watchers – Carl Treff, MRA Volunteer Coordinator
4. Update on the Magothy River Oyster Plan – Dick Carey, MRA Dive Coordinator/Dive Safety Officer

 DISPLAYS:

• Friends of Dobbins Island
• Bayland Consultants, Mill & Dividing Creek Study
• Severna Park Watershed Action Group display on North Cypress Branch
• Department of Natural Resources-Natural Resources Police – Vessel Management Plan & Boating Safety
• National Aquarium in Baltimore 
• Magothy River Land Trust – Conservation Easements in the Magothy Watershed
• MRA Team Diver Poster: “Scientific Divers of the Magothy River for Boating and Diver Safety.”
• MRA – Oyster Reefs in the Magothy River
• Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

Following the presentations, there will be refreshments and time to visit the displays and chat with watershed residents and the experts. Are you interested in clean water, healthy fish, living oyster reefs and limiting suburban effects on the Magothy?  Come and see how you can help!

Questions? Call: Paul Spadaro, President of Magothy River Association, 410-647-8772, email: spadaro@cablespeed.com.

In case of inclement weather, if the college is closed, the program is postponed.  College closings are announced on WNAV radio (1430 AM) and on the college web site, http://www.aacc.edu

A new Creek Watchers program and watershed conference are on the MRA’s agenda for this year. Find out more…

Pick up your “Save Dobbins” bumper stickers and petitions from these local businesses:

Angel’s Food Market   Mountain Rd., Pasadena

Port Tack Wine & Spirits   Bay Dale Drive, Arnold

Goska’s Liquors   Leelyn Drive, Severna Park

More on the Dobbins Island effort at www.SaveDobbins.org

Welcome to our new website!