The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Maryland Department of Natural Resources will host an open house to discuss oyster restoration efforts on the Tred Avon River on Nov.r 7 from 3 to 8 p.m. at the NOAA Environmental Science Training Center at the Cooperative Oxford Lab (904 South Morris Street, Oxford, MD 21654).
There is no set agenda; guests may attend for any portion of the time period to learn about the project through a series of informational posters and to speak with representatives from partner agencies about proposed plans for bringing oysters back to the Tred Avon.
“Using scientific analysis and based on high-tech sonar surveys, a draft plan for oyster restoration that describes where and when reefs will be constructed or enhanced has been developed,” said Peyton Robertson, director of the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office. “We want area residents’ input to help refine the details of the plan in response to how people use the river.”
Oysters play a critical role in the Chesapeake Bay because they help filter the water and grow into reefs that provide habitat for other Bay species. But since the turn of the 20th century, oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay have declined dramatically, largely due to disease, overharvesting, loss of habitat, and degraded water quality; oysters are estimated to be at only 1% of their historic population levels.
For those unable to attend, or who would prefer to learn about the project on line, all information available at the in-person session will be available at www.chesapeakebay.noaa.gov/oysters/oyster-restoration-in-tred-avon; suggestions and questions can be sent to [email protected].
For more information, contact:
Ashley Roberts
410-962-2809
[email protected]
or
Kim Couranz
410-267-5673
Thursday, October 31, 2013 - 08:37
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Maryland Department of Natural Resources will host an open house to discuss oyster restoration efforts on the Tred Avon River on Nov.r 7 from 3 to 8 p.m. at the NOAA Environmental Science Training Center at the Cooperative Oxford Lab (904 South Morris Street, Oxford, MD 21654).
There is no set agenda; guests may attend for any portion of the time period to learn about the project through a series of informational posters and to speak with representatives from partner agencies about proposed plans for bringing oysters back to the Tred Avon.
“Using scientific analysis and based on high-tech sonar surveys, a draft plan for oyster restoration that describes where and when reefs will be constructed or enhanced has been developed,” said Peyton Robertson, director of the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office. “We want area residents’ input to help refine the details of the plan in response to how people use the river.”
Oysters play a critical role in the Chesapeake Bay because they help filter the water and grow into reefs that provide habitat for other Bay species. But since the turn of the 20th century, oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay have declined dramatically, largely due to disease, overharvesting, loss of habitat, and degraded water quality; oysters are estimated to be at only 1% of their historic population levels.
For those unable to attend, or who would prefer to learn about the project on line, all information available at the in-person session will be available at www.chesapeakebay.noaa.gov/oysters/oyster-restoration-in-tred-avon; suggestions and questions can be sent to [email protected].
For more information, contact:
Ashley Roberts
410-962-2809
[email protected]
or
Kim Couranz
410-267-5673