Rivers Group Puts Mattawoman Creek on Endangered List

A national environmental group has jumped into the fray over a proposed highway that would cut through the Mattawoman Creek watershed, labeling the Potomac River tributary one of the most endangered waterways in America.

Officials said the final phase of the cross-county connector would devastate the creek's clean water and abundant wildlife while posing a serious risk to the Chesapeake Bay. The Mattawoman is one of the bay's cleanest tributaries and has been called one of the most ecologically valuable waterways on the Eastern Seaboard.

"The highway is going to lead to dirty water, more traffic and sprawl," said Katherine Baer, senior director for American Rivers' clean water program. "There's a real chance for Maryland to make a decision to grow smarter."

American Rivers, a Washington-based conservation group, made its Mattawoman announcement Tuesday during a creekside news conference in Indian Head.

The group called on Maryland regulators to reject the permits necessary for Charles County to proceed with construction of the $70 million highway, which would link Route 5 with Indian Head Highway. County officials say the highway, which is behind schedule, is needed to reduce commuting time and ease congestion in the area.

The Maryland Department of the Environment is expected to rule on the permits around June 1.

"There are far too many problems with this highway for the permits to be approved, so we're hoping [Gov. Martin O'Malley] will recognize that and reject it," said Bonnie Bick, who serves on the boards of the Mattawoman Watershed Society and the Southern Maryland chapter of the Sierra Club.

Environmental activists have fought county officials on the highway project for several years, saying construction would destroy more than seven acres of wetlands and 10 times that amount of forestland. Ultimately, they say, the highway would lead to unchecked residential development on the mostly rural western side of the county and decimate populations of endangered animals and plants.

County officials counter that the environmental risks have been overstated and that they have done more than required to limit damage to the watershed.

This is the 23rd year that American Rivers has issued its most-endangered-rivers list. Such a designation has prompted policy changes in Maryland and elsewhere. In 2005, the Susquehanna River, which flows into the northern tip of the Chesapeake, was included on the list because of pollution. Within days, the Environmental Protection Agency dropped a plan to adopt a less restrictive policy on dumping around the river.

"The rivers included on the list are those that face an uncertain future, and where there's a decision coming up that the public can influence," Baer said. "We're hoping people will take action by contacting the governor and asking that he deny the permits for the highway."