The Mattawoman Creek, shared by Charles and Prince George’s counties, is among the nation’s 52 most precious wildlife sites, an environmental group said in its annual report.
But its future may be in doubt as new highways are proposed and urban sprawl goes unchecked in the area, the Sierra Club said.
The Sierra Club released a report titled “America’s Wild Legacy,” Sept. 29 at Mattingly Park situated on Mattawoman Creek, as part of its National Public Lands Day celebrations.
The Mattawoman Creek watershed is spread over 95 square miles, with 75 percent of the creek watershed in Charles County and the rest in Prince George’s County. It includes 20 miles of free flowing streams between the counties.
“This battle is winnable,” said Myke Bybee, public lands representative at the Sierra Club’s legislative office in the District. “We are making progress and we are getting there.”
The creek opens into a 7-mile tidal freshwater estuary, said Jim Long, coordinator of the Mattawoman Watershed Society.
He said state biologists describe the creek as the best, most productive tributary in the Chesapeake Bay.
The creek is a nursery for fish migrating to the Chesapeake Bay and is home to wood ducks, black ducks, nesting bald eagles, wild and rare Native Lotus, four species of freshwater mussels and 54 species of fish, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
In its report, the Sierra Club said, “New multi-lane highways are proposed through its watershed, which would pave the way for converting protective forests to even more sprawl development.”
Local residents fear urban sprawl coupled with ill-planned highways would destroy the creek.
“If we keep paving things over, we are not moving in the right direction,” said Linda Redding, a CPA and member of the Mattawoman Watershed Society.
But a bypass is a must to end the “choking points” on U.S. Route 301, State Highway Officials and most Charles county politicians insist.
“The bypass is necessary for congestion relief and safety,” said Charlie Gishchlar, a spokesperson for the SHA. He said the bypass project is in the very early planning phase and not funded as yet.
Ernie Wallace, chairman for the Citizens Against Waldorf Bypass, expressed relief that the Prince George’s County Council opposed the western Waldorf Bypass, but was concerned just one Charles County commissioner [Reuben B. Collins II (D. Dist 4 ] has dissented against the proposed bypass.
“We want to bring in Fortune 500 companies and in order to do that we need to end the gridlock,” said Charles County Commissioner President Wayne Cooper (D).
He said the highway upgrades might help better the situation as right now all trash goes right into the creek.
“If it continues this way, the creek will die,” he said.
Collins said he is not against an effective road network, but only wants environmental issues to be addressed properly.
“It is premature to push for a specific bypass alignment without the benefit of receiving the final results of all of the relevant environmental studies,” he said.
Ellen Cline, who owns the historic Araby House in Charles County, said that though Prince George’s County has