Study Considers Oyster Solutions

By Christy Goodman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 16, 2008

State and federal environmental officials are considering several fixes to revive the Chesapeake Bay's depleted oyster population, including a temporary harvest moratorium and the introduction of nonnative Asian oysters, but they acknowledge there are no easy solutions.

A study released Tuesday has been underway for nearly five years and involved about 90 scientists. It considers several scenarios, including a compensation program for oyster industries.

"Everything is on the table," said Col. Dionysios Anninos, Norfolk District commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The draft environmental impact statement was prepared by the corps, the Virginia Marine Resource and the Maryland Department of the Environment. A 60-day public comment period begins tomorrow.

O'Malley Speaks to Public School Superintendents

Gov. Martin O'Malley praised the state's public school systems, citing continued progress in MSA test scores and noting that Maryland students rank among the best in the nation on Advanced Placement exam scores as well.

"Forbes magazine would say that we in Maryland have one of the three most highly skilled workforces in the country," O'Malley (D) told the Public School Superintendents Association of Maryland on Tuesday in Annapolis. "We also have what Education Week says is one of the three best public school systems in America. It's a great tribute to your hard work that our students continue to achieve at unprecedented levels."

But O'Malley said the budget cuts for fiscal 2009 and the anticipated revenue shortfall for 2010 will affect education funding. He urged support for slot machines on the Nov. 4 referendum, saying they would mean more than $660 million in education funding alone by fiscal 2012.

State Recognizes S. Maryland Officers

Seven officers serving Southern Maryland were among 146 Maryland police officers recently honored for their commitment to the state's fight against drunken driving. Each was presented with a law enforcement medal and a uniform bar.

"The awardees represent the front lines in the fight against drunk driving in our state," said Neil J. Pedersen, Maryland State Highway administrator. "We owe so much to these men and women as we stand committed to winning Maryland's fight against impaired driving."

Those recognized included: Deputies Mark Fitzgerald and John Harms and Cpl. Richard Wilson of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office, Trooper Eric Evans of the Leonardtown barrack and Trooper Joseph Chirichella of the Prince Frederick barrack.

Cpl. Anthony Moschetto of Calvert and Officer Raymond Brooks of Charles County also were among those honored.

So far in 2008, law enforcement officers statewide have made more than 24,000 drunken-driving-related arrests.

St. Mary's Resident Named To State Arts Council

Barbara Bershon, executive director of the River Concert Series at St. Mary's College of Maryland, recently was appointed by Gov. Martin O'Malley to a three-year term on the Maryland State Arts Council.

"The caliber and experience of Barbara Bershon, together with the vision and capacity of our leadership team, will ensure that accessibility, artistic excellence and diversity are hallmarks of Maryland's arts community," O'Malley said in a statement. "We are inspired and grateful for her commitment to serve this vibrant sector."

St. Mary's Sheriff's Office Helps Scouts Earn Badges

Deputies and crime laboratory technicians from the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office recently helped 83 Girl Scouts at Camp Winona in Hughesville receive law and order merit badges.

Detective Vyvyan Walker provided the Scouts with information about how detectives conduct criminal case reviews. Detective Eric Walker talked about gangs. Crime laboratory technician Summer Porter taught them about fingerprinting, and technician Amanda Pilkerton discussed crime scene sketching.

Highway Administration Continues Calvert Projects

The Maryland Department of Transportation's State Highway Administration has begun a $345,000 safety and intersection improvement project along Route 2/4 between Route 524 (Old Town Road) and Walnut Creek Road in Calvert County.

The administration will build an auxiliary/acceleration lane to improve intersection operations. The project is expected to be completed by December.

The new lane, on the right side of southbound Route 2/4, will provide more room for traffic leaving the Walnut Creek subdivision to accelerate before merging into southbound traffic.

Duke Street at Route 2/4 in Prince Frederick has been closed for about a week, partly to accommodate widening and re-grading. Drivers can access Duke Street during construction by taking Route 2/4 to Old Field Lane and turning left on Merrimac Court to Duke Street.

The Route 2/4 widening project extends from Old Field Lane/Sherry Lane to Commerce Lane and includes the Route 2/4 intersection with Route 231 (Church Street/Hallowing Point Road). Work includes widening from four to six lanes and improvements to intersections and turn lanes. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2010.

Southern Maryland Sites Receive Grants

The Southern Maryland Heritage Area Consortium awarded $16,750 total to projects in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties in its fifth annual mini-grant program.

The award recipients include:

· Beach Business Group, for projects to revise the Trolley Map and for historic markers for properties on the Heritage Tour.

· Friends of Chapman State Park, for invasive plant removal and a survey of endangered plants.

· Leonardtown, for the Wharf Waterfront Celebration and for a brochure, "Your Guide to Leonardtown."

· The Calvert Marine Museum, for free concerts and roadside banners.

· The Southern Maryland Travel and Tourism Committee, to produce a map of Southern Maryland.

· The Chesapeake Bay Floating Theatre, for the International Folk/Fusion Festival.

· St. Mary's County Tourism, for Celebrate 375th at Maryland welcome centers.

· St. Andrew's Church, for restoration of the north doors.

· North Beach, for interpretative signage along the boardwalk.

· Historic Sotterley, for education program printing and supplies.

· The Calvert County Historical Society, for the historic places and events coloring book.

· Friends of Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, for the War of 1812 Grand Tactical.

· The Society for the Restoration of Port Tobacco, for archaeological search for the 1680s Anglican Church.

· Hughesville Running Club, for a village brochure and directory.