Below is additional information regarding the public meetings on Hart-Miller 
Island North Cell Habitat Development.  I am one of the speakers in the 
formal presentation.  Obviously, I will be speaking about the utilization of 
the Island by birds and insects.  Please try to attend one meeting and 
present comments or submit your comments in writing to Nat Brown at the 
address or e-mail below.  For additional information please contact Nat 
Brown directly.  Thanks.

Gene
_____________________

Public Meeting
Hart-Miller Island Dredged Material Containment Facility
North Cell Habitat Development

Hart-Miller Island (HMI) has been an active placement site for material 
dredged from the Port of Baltimore and some portions of the Baltimore and 
Chesapeake Bay navigation channels.  Construction of Hart-Miller Island was 
initiated in 1981 and the island began to receive dredged material in 1984. 
The ~1,100- acre placement facility is divided into two cells, the North 
Cell, which is 800 acres and the South Cell, which is ~300 acres.  No new 
material has been placed in the South Cell since 1990 and the cell has been 
developed into a managed wildlife habitat.  Dredged material will continue 
to be placed in the North Cell until the maximum elevation is reached or 
mandated closure occurs on December 31, 2009.  As stated in the Master Plan, 
goals for the North Cell are to establish wildlife habitat and passive 
recreational opportunities.  In order to achieve these goals, the Maryland 
Port Administration (MPA) authorized studies to develop preliminary closure 
concepts in 2004.  A pre-feasibility study was undertaken through which 
concepts were identified. The concepts were presented to the public in 2006 
and preferred concepts were selected for further study.  The MPA is 
conducting two public meetings to update the public on the progress of HMI 
and to solicit public comments on the preferred concepts.  The North Cell 
Habitat Development Team and Working Group will continue to refine the 
preferred concepts using input received from these meetings.  The MPA 
invites interested individuals, agencies, and organizations to attend a 
public meeting to ask questions and submit comments.  The public is asked to 
remember that information presented at these meetings is still conceptual; 
final implementation of the chosen concept may take as long as 10-15 years. 
MPA personnel, as well as supporting staff will be available to provide 
information and answer questions.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008
6:30 PM poster session
7:00 PM presentations
Chesapeake High School, Auditorium
1801 Turkey Point Road
Baltimore, MD. 21221

Wednesday, October 29, 2008
6:30 PM poster session
7:00 PM presentations
Sparrows Point High School, Auditorium
7400 North Point Road
Baltimore, MD 21219

If you cannot attend either meeting and/or wish to comment or have any 
questions, you may contact Mr. Nathaniel Brown at the Maryland Port 
Administration, 2310 Broening Highway, Baltimore, Maryland 21224-6621 or at 
the following e-mail address: 
___________________

Gene Scarpulla
Millers Island, Maryland