Update on DNR and the Hydraulic Clam Dredgers
The Plum Point Oyster Sanctuary runs parallel to our shore from Camp Roosevelt to Dares Beach covering over 6,000 acres. Last year clam dredgers dredged razor clams from May to October with very little patrolling by MD DNR. We had one officer for the county and they answer calls for everything from roadside deer poachers to washed up paddle boards. They were very understaffed.
This year we have a new officer. Officer Lopez. She has two officers helping her. She was unaware of last years issues with the dredgers working in and around the sanctuary which is off limits to dredge boats.
Hydraulic clam dredging is very destructive to the bay’s bottom, destroying any grasses and sending silt in huge plumes that can suffocate oysters. It is also not sustainably managed. Clam dredging, where legal, is allowed year round, seven days a week, sun up to sun down, no limit on catch, and no limit to how loud the boats can be and they are really loud!
Our sanctuary boundary begins just offshore and is poorly marked by moving markers that have not been reset in years. The boats are not allowed to dredge beyond the boundary markers. Other sanctuary boundaries run to the shore line but ours does not. This seems to be a loophole for a free for all for these boats that mostly come from the Eastern Shore where most of their clams are depleted and they are finally enforcing the new SAV (sub aquatic vegetation) zone boundaries.
MDE is going to be resetting the markers and adding new ones. If you have one as a lawn ornament and would like to give it back please let me or Officer Lopez know. They will not just go around taking them.
Officer Lopez has been patrolling and warning the boats but they continue to return and leave when they see the DNR boat leaving the marina. She would appreciate photos and videos if they prove the boat is dredging the sanctuary. That is difficult without markers in the picture. Drones are useful, especially in the case of the photo of a boat making a silt plume. Those photos are useful for showing legislators and the public an example of the environmental destruction.
There are many great and honest watermen out there and being the seafood lover I am, I appreciate them very much. However, crabs, rays and other wildlife feed on the clams and when the clams disappear so do they. It’s happened over and over in other parts of the bay.
If you want to report-
DNR Dispatch 410-295-4663
Our local officer-
Officer Lopez cell 914-912-6938
If you want to let DNR know your thoughts, please call the MD DNR Program Shellfish Division director
Chris Judy 410-260-8259
It would be great if you want to share this with friends in the other communities that are along the shore.
Thank you!
Lisa Collins
Click image to view slide show
Thank you to everyone that helped with this years Neeld Estate 4th of July Parade.
Thank you Shirley for getting the parade started with the Pledge of Allegiance, thanks to Brett & Maryanne for the 'Goody Bags' for the children and for your helpers the day of the parade, thanks to my grandchildren for helping me mark the roads the night before for "Social Distancing" during the parade, and to everyone that participated in this years parade... a BIG THANK YOU.
Even though we weren't able to have our normal festivities I think the parade was spectacular!
Dorothy Oliver, NECA 4th of July chairperson
Neeld Estate 1st Annual
House Decorating Contest
And the winners are:
1st Place - Brandi & Keith
2nd Place - Eve & Glynn
3rd Place - Brett & Maryanne
CONGRATULATIONS
Miscellaneous Photos
Sea Nettles Probability of Encounters (Experimental)
The jellyfish often encountered in the Chesapeake Bay in the summer is the sea nettle Chrysaora chesapeakei. Knowing where and when to expect this biotic nuisance may help to alleviate an unpleasant encounter.
Unless you are in a dark purple region you may encounter your first sea nettle of 2020, unless you already have. I use this map frequently so I know whether or not I can afford to fall off the paddle board! It’s updated daily. I’ve noticed that in onshore breezes, they swim away from the shore.
At our December 2019 NECA Business Meeting a motion was put on the floor to have our meetings every other month instead of monthly. This motion did not go through because per our By-Laws, this can only be determined/changed by the Executive Committee. That being said, I sent out an email to them (Executive Committee) and everyone agreed to have them every other month. Below is a list of the months we will be having our meetings in 2020. They will continue to be on the first Thursday of these months starting at 6:30 pm.
February, April, June, August, October, December
Eve Shoemaker
NECA President
If you are interested in chairing an event for our community please let Eve Shoemaker know...
it's always a great time when we can get together
with friends and neighbors at a funraiser!
Janet Geans
BOOK EXCHANGE is
OPEN for business.
Take a book or leave a book or both. No children's books please. Please be aware of latch on the right hand side, keeps the 'house's waterproof, please use.
Thank you. ENJOY!
Neeld Estate Old Cottage Photos and more
click image to view in full screen
PLEASE
Slow Down
THERE'S NO
NEED TO SPEED
in the neighborhood
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!
The Neeld Estate community would like to thank the many volunteers who help out all year long.
Whatever part you play in making Neeld Estate a better place to live, we want you to know we appreciate your time and efforts. Thank You!!
"It's volunteers that make an extra effort every day to strengthen our relationships in the community and help make Neeld Estate a wonderful place to live"
DID YOU KNOW??
Nearly 95% of the land in Maryland drains to
the Chesapeake Bay
Neeld Estate 60's Beach Party
NEELD ESTATE 2019
JULY 4th PARADE and CELEBRATION
THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered to help make our Neeld Estate community 4th of July celebration a success! It takes a lot of people to make this event happen and I sincerely thank each and every one of you for all of your help. . . I couldn't have done it without you.
Dorothy Oliver
2019
Please remember that the WALL along the waterfront is on Private Property.
Check the Status of our Favorite Beaches
CALVERT COUNTY:
http://www.calverthealth.org/community/environmentalhealthservices/Beaches/beachmap.htm
