HART-MILLER ISLAND SOUTH CELL ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION PUBLIC MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1997 7:00 PM TO 9:00 PM CHESAPEAKE HIGH SCHOOL 1801 TURKEY POINT ROAD BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND All birders who are interested in the final outcome of Hart-Miller Island are urgently requested to attend this second public meeting. I am representing the Maryland Ornithological Society on the Study Team that is working on developing a plan for the environmental restoration of the South Cell. At the first public meeting in September, I gave a brief presentation on the benefits of the Island for migrating shorebirds, nesting terns, and wintering waterfowl. Following my talk, five restoration options were presented. The first four would create varying amounts of mudflat and pool habitat for the above species groups; the fifth option would leave the South Cell in its current state, a 300-acre expanse of Phragmites (Common Reed). Unfortunately, there were no birders in the audience to voice their support of the restoration project. This was of great concern to the Study Team, since some mainland residents at the hearing voiced their opposition to the mudflat and pool options. For the upcoming public meeting, the five options have been whittled down to three options: mudflat and pool, grassland, and Phragmites. Economics is also being discussed at the Study Team meetings. The mudflat and pool option is the most expensive; the Phragmites option is the cheapest. If support is not shown for the mudflat and pool proposal, we could end up with the Phragmites option being the one selected to the detriment of shorebirds, terns, and waterfowl. If you can attend, please come and support the mudflat and pool option for the environmental restoration of the South Cell. If you have comments or questions on the South Cell Environmental Restoration Study or you would like further information, please contact Mr. Richard Kibby, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, CENAB-PL-P (HMI), Box 1715, Baltimore, MD 21203-1715 at (410) 962-0694 or (800) 295-1610; or by e-mail at j.richard.kibby@nab02.usace.army.mil. Of course, you can always contact me also. Thanks, Gene Scarpulla gscarp@erols.com