Maryland Birders:

Those of you who value Rumbly Point Road (past Irish Grove) as a great place 
to bird may wish to contact Somerset County Roads Department (410-651-
1930), the Somerset County Commissioners (410-651-0320), and/or Maryland 
House Delegate Page Elmore () to 
comment on a proposed action to close this road (see below). Residents and 
property owners in the local area have signed a petition to protest the 
proposed closure of both the road and the ramp at its end.  Even if the ramp 
is closed, it is important for the Roads Department and Commissioners to know 
that the road is important access for others besides boating interests, which 
have been declining due to lack of ramp maintenance. Birders in particular 
represent a source of eco-dollars, an especially important consideration for a 
less-developed county such as Somerset. 

A small article in the Somerset Herald on Novmber 28th reads as follows:

No action on ramp
The Roads Board made no decision last week about the Rumbly Point Ramp, 
but the consensus is it would be cheaper to pay back the state for its 
installation than to continue to make repairs.  
Roads Director Doug Taylor said the ramp and parking area were built in the 
early 1970s, and the last maintenance report was from the late 1990s.  He 
said, "All that's ever been spent [in state waterways improvement funds] was 
$13,000."  
There is silting at the ramp and many boards need replacing - plus Rumbly 
Point Road which is 2.25 miles long and ends at the ramp is costly to keep 
maintained.  "It's washing away," Mr. Taylor said.  "That road's costing us a 
fortune now,” Roads Board member Mike McCready said. “It keeps sinking, and 
sinking and sinking.”  He said the Rehobeth and Shelltown boat ramps are in 
better shape.
“It would be a whole lot cheaper to pay them back than to fix it,” said Roads 
Board Vice President Rex Simpkins. And member Sam Boston said he would 
rather end county maintenance on Rumbly Point Road than some of the O-P 
roads previously recommended. “It’s a good parking spot.” 
The alternative would be to continue maintenance, and Mr. Taylor said the 
state “wouldn’t be real crazy about giving us some money” for this.

We hope this message fits with the mission and spirit of MD OSPREY.

Carol & Lee McCollough
St. Michaels & Marion Station, MD