EIP Picnic

Last weekend, a group of people with a common goal came together to celebrate the completion of another successful stream restoration project in Cecil County. The land owners, Cecil Land Trust, Ecosystem Investment Partners (EIP), Wetland Studies and Solutions, Cecil County Government, Cecil Soil Conservation District and the Appalachian Stream Restoration team gathered at the property on Montgomery Road in Rising Sun, MD. The afternoon was spent celebrating this great accomplishment and included a tour of the restored stream where details of the project were shared as well as examples of how everyone involved had a hand in bringing this project to fruition.

Anthony Gamage and Cynthia Lundgren are neighbors along a tributary at the head waters of Principio Creek. They attended the tour to discover how the stream restoration project was designed and constructed to reduce nutrients and sediments from reaching the Chesapeake Bay.

Mike Zarecor from Wetland Studies (the engineering company responsible for the project design) and Chris White from Appalachian Stream Restoration (the construction firm responsible for the work) explained how the project was completed. The project took two years of planning, permitting and construction. The actual construction portion of the project had to be completed between May and October. In Maryland, every waterway is protected by restrictions on instream work. These Time of Year Restrictions (TOYR) help minimize impacts to aquatic habitats from construction projects.
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While on the tour, Cynthia Lundgren commented that “the project was a win-win for all, the Chesapeake Bay, the environment and the landowner.” Neighbors, Sam and Linda Cole were pleased that the land and water were now going to be permanently protected. It was noted that as a result of the combined efforts, the Chesapeake Bay gets cleaner water, the environment gets more trees, and the landowner gets better conditions for their stream and livestock.

The Montgomery Road Project was sponsored by Cecil Land Trust and the Chesapeake and Costal Bay Trust Fund and Cecil County Government. Saturday’s tour was part of Appalachian Stream Restoration appreciation pig roast, thanking all of the partners involved in bringing the project to completion. The gathering brought businesses, family, friends and neighbors together to share a meal, common interests, and most importantly to celebrate the protection of more land and water for today and future generations to come.