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Mattawoman Threatened by Cross County Connector

Maryland River named 4th most endangered river in the nation - please help Mattawoman Creek

Dear Supporters of the Maryland Sierra Club,

Everyone has that special creek where the water is refreshing and the swimming and fishing are perfect.  Unfortunately, one of those gems that is a favorite to many Maryland residents is in jeopardy.  Only 20 miles south of Washington DC, Mattawoman Creek is the last best remnant of what Chesapeake Bay rivers were like when the Bay teemed with life.

Now Charles County officials want to bring massive new development to the western part of the county. They have requested permits to construct a new proposed four lane, 6.5 mile highway called the "Cross County Connector extension" that would plow across the full width of the sensitive Mattawoman Creek watershed, the highest quality fish spawning nursery in the Chesapeake Bay region.

Where do things stand?

Before the highway can be built, Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) must decide by December 1st whether or not to issue a permit impacting the wetlands. 

Mattawoman Creek is SUCH an important habitat that it has been recognized by American Rivers as the FOURTH MOST ENDANGERED RIVER IN THE COUNTRY! If Maryland is for cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay, let’s be sure not to pollute one of the remaining healthy tributaries.

ACT NOW! Please contact Governor Martin O'Malley. A personal letter is most effective:

The Honorable Martin O’Malley
One State Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401

Phone calls, faxes, and emails are also very helpful.
Phone: 1-800-811-8336        Fax: 1-410-974-3275   Email: governor@gov.state.md.us

Ask the Governor to direct Maryland Department of Environment Secretary Shari Wilson to deny the wetland permits for the proposed Cross County Connector extension in Charles county.

Message (in your own words is best): 

Subject: Deny wetland permits for the Cross County Connector extension. Save Mattawoman Creek.

 

“Please deny permits for the proposed Cross County Connector extension in Charles County which threatens the Mattawoman Creek.  The Mattawoman Creek is the healthiest fish nursery in the Chesapeake Bay because it is protected by surrounding forests and wetlands. This highway proposal would destroy the Mattawoman Creek by increasing traffic, development, and pavement in its watershed. Let’s build smarter, with public transportation like a light rail link to Waldorf.

 

Your name

Your address (with town and zip code so the Governor will see the breadth and depth of concern.)

Please send a copy of your comment to Alana.Wase@mdsierra.org  Thank you!

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Want to do more? Ask a friend or relative to call the Governor also. Send a letter to the editor of your local paper. Contact your other public officials and representatives with the same message, urging that Maryland deliver on its promise up clean up the Bay by DENYING a permit to destroy non-tidal wetlands.

Want to see the Mattawoman Creek for yourself?

   Join us at an upcoming outing:

Click here to join us on the  Canoe Trip

Join a Stewardship Outing:

Chapman Forest Invasive Plant Removal on the 1st Sunday of each month from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Contact: Call Marc Imlay on cell phone at 301-442-5657 Marc.imlay [@] Maryland.Sierraclub.org to let him know you are coming. Wear older clothes and sturdy shoes. Bring lunch and water. Meet Main gate on West side of Chapmans Landing Road off 210 south of town of Bryans Rd.