Oyster Restoration Project Begins in Local Creeks

SOUTHERN MARYLAND - 1/28/2009

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The Dominion Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dominion Resources, has awarded a $25,000 grant to the Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) to expand its oyster restoration project in the Patuxent River. This is the largest single project grant in the 14-year history of CCA MD, a non-profit organization of 1,800-plus recreational anglers and other conservation-minded citizens. The $25,000 grant will be used to establish a spat-on-shell restoration project in two Calvert County creeks that feed into the Patuxent River, according to Scott McGuire, president, CCA MD Patuxent River Chapter. “Working with local waterfront property owners, we believe we’ll be able to place approximately one million spat in 1,000 cages at piers in Hungerford and Mill Creeks,” McGuire said. “The spat will grow to adult size and be placed on sanctuaries where they can reproduce naturally and filter water. The average adult oyster can filter and cleanse up to 55 gallons of water per day.”   This is the first funding CCA MD has received for its oyster restoration program, which began last year with the placement of 64,000 oyster seed in Hellen and St. Thomas creeks by members of the CCA MD Patuxent River Chapter. “Dominion has an impressive record in supporting a healthy Chesapeake Bay,” McGuire said. “In addition to this grant, Dominion has played a major role in the Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative. We are pleased to partner with an organization of this caliber to further our efforts to grow oysters in the Patuxent while educating residents about the importance of promoting a healthy environment.” Dominion operates the Cove Point liquefied natural gas facility in Calvert County. “The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure that Dominion is obligated to help restore and protect for future generations,” said William C. Hall, Jr., Dominion vice president-Corporate Communications and president of the Dominion Foundation. “Our contribution will help CCA MD maintain its leadership role in oyster restoration and help strengthen the Patuxent River watershed.” McGuire indicated that the Hungerford and Mill Creek projects will likely begin this summer when cages with spat are deployed and that it will take approximately one year for oysters to reach adult size. “Our biggest challenge now is to find volunteers leaders for creeks that feed the Patuxent,” McGuire said. “We hope to find a Creek Captain for each creek who will coordinate efforts for that location based on an established plan that we’ve used in Hellen Creek.” Anyone wishing to participate in these oyster restoration projects can contact McGuire at smcguire20653@gmail.com.

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