Hi Folks,

This message is for people who are planning any future visits to the Swan 
Creek Wetland.

This afternoon (7/29) Bill Hubick and I represented the birding community at 
a
 meeting to develop some guidelines for birding the Swan Creek property at
 the end of Kembo Rd. in northern Anne Arundel County.  Two members of the
 Maryland Environmental Service (MES) and one member of the Maryland Port
 Authority were also present.

 While the Port Authority is interested in having people use and enjoy the
 wetland, they are concerned about the whereabouts of people on the 
property,
 and in particular how to evacuate people should there be a chemical
 spill/leak or other hazmat incident.  Port personnel train for such
 contingencies, and feel responsibility toward any visitors to their
 properties.  Because of this concern, a burden is placed on the MES
 personnel (the people with whom we sign in) to monitor visitors, and to 
call
 the Port Authority anytime a visitor arrives.  Presently, MES personnel 
work
 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., which means they are not available to monitor
 visitors after 3:30, even though Port personnel continue to work to 5:30 or
 later at times.

 Based on these concerns, the Port suggested either curtailing the days of
 access to perhaps three days a week (e.g. M-W-F) and limit visiting hours 
to
 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.  While we as birders are delighted to have any access to
 the property at all (and we did express this sentiment), both Bill and I
 sought means to maintain the longer hours (a high priority for birders who
 work business hours), and then if possible to keep five days of 
availability
 per week.  We did make somewhat of a breakthrough in progress when we
 realized that the Port Authority pictured birders as running loose on the
 entire 130 acre Swan Creek property (which is actually legal, but I know of
 no one who hikes the "back 40" other than Ranger Matt Grey).  When they
 realized that most of us stay on the main road and the beach, they were 
less
 concerned about being able to find us if needed.  Bill suggested that we
 maintain the later hours (till 5 or 5:30) provided we agree to stay on the
 main road or beach during these "after hours," where we can be easily
 located.

 Another concern is that the dredge cells are completely off limits, unlike
 at Hart-Miller where we walk the rim of the cells.  Apparently some people
 have walked along the west edge of the north cell to some retaining pond at
 the north end of the property, but the Port folks were very much against
 this.  It was agreed that birders could scope the two dredge cells from the
 back of the office trailer, near the flag pole, but not wander any further
 around the two large cells.

 What will likely be different in the future is that there will be (1) some
 published rules for visiting the area, (2) a more extensive release form
 that may include a photocopy of your driver's license, (3) a requirement to
 call or email ahead with your intention to bird the area, and (4) a
 requirement to carry a cell phone with you while on the property, and have
 the number recorded on your release form.

 For the time being, the guidelines are to check in between 7 and 3, sign a
 release (only required the first visit) and get a verbal OK to stay after
 3/3:30 if you are coming late, remembering that gates are locked around
 5:30.  Parking is best done along the right side of the entry road just 
past
 the second gate.  It's also OK to park around the office trailer, but this
 will not be the case in the future.  If you've never been, it's really best
 to go the first time with someone who's been to get a little orientation.

 For the most part, birders have been very considerate of the property and 
of
 previously written guidelines, and the Port Authority is well aware of 
this.
 We were sure to stress the benefit of having birders on the property as a
 deterrent to acts of vandalism and tresspass, and these benefits were
 acknowledged.   We know this property is not of interest to everyone, but 
if
 one looks at the sign-in book it is quite evident that there has been a
 surge in visitation over the last few months, and most who visit are quite
 impressed with the birding.  As the new guidelines are developed, Bill and 
I
 will be in touch with the birding community through this listserve, with 
our
 goal being to maximize birding opportunities while appeasing the concerns 
of
 our hosts.

 Stan Arnold
Ferndale (AA Co)