Black Hill At Risk
Norm Saunders (osprey@ARI.Net)
Tue, 13 Jan 1998 18:16:04 -0500
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 14:21:04 -0500
From: Lydia Schindler <paulydia@erols.com>
Reply-to: paulydia@erols.com
To: Norm Saunders <osprey@ari.net>
A Master and Management Plan is being drafted for Black Hill Regional
Park--the site of the MOS State Board meeting last December and one of
Montgomery County's premier birding sites: some 30 species of
waterfowl have now been reported there.
The draft calls for, among other things, the construction of a second
boat ramp, plus parking, in the second cove off route 121, south of
the bridge. As birders know, the roadside along 121 is the key
waterfowl-sighting area.
We understand that the boat-ramp would entail chemically treating
those coves to eliminate hydrilla, which could entangle the boats.
Hydrilla, in addition to filtering the water and providing cover to
fish and turtles, seems to be a major attractant for waterbirds; they
either feed on it directly or eat the crustaceans it shelters.
The park manager, Jim McMahon, anticipating population growth in the
Germantown and Clarksburg areas, appears to be enthusiastic about the
construction project, and it will likely come to fruition unless
birders who object to the proposal rally together and make their
opinions--and their numbers--known. A boat ramp is, after all, a
money-maker.
The draft of the master plan will be presented at a public hearing
during the week of March 13 (an evening meeting March 13, 14 or 15) at
the Upcounty Government Center. Save these dates: We would like to
see as big a turnout as possible. Meantime, you can express your
views to park planner Holly Larson, 9500 Brunett Avenue, Silver Spring
20901. Holly Larson says that the finalized plan will be
submitted first to the Park Commission, and next to the Capital
Improvements Program for financing; the next CIP round will be held in
2000/2001, and new projects would likely come at the end of a 5-year
program, ie around 2006.
Lydia Schindler