In October 2015, NOAA announced its intent to designate a new national marine sanctuary to help conserve nationally-significant shipwrecks and related maritime heritage resources in Maryland. Following a public comment period last year, NOAA has developed a detailed analysis for a proposed national marine sanctuary to protect Mallows Bay-Potomac River, a maritime heritage resource area along the Potomac River, about 40 miles south of Washington, D.C. The public now has an opportunity to review the proposal and provide input.
Benzonia resting on Caribou stern (Photo: Don Shomette)
Vessel at low tide showing hull frame (Photo: Don Shomette)
The Ghost Fleet grounded in Mallows Bay, circa 1925
Ship hulls have provided the structure for ecologically-important habitats (Photo: Don Shomette)
Mallows Bay is home to abundant wildlife including Bald Eagles, Great Blue Heron, and Osprey
Mallows Bay boasts a diverse collection of nearly 200 known historic shipwrecks dating back to the Civil War, as well as archaeological artifacts dating back 12,000 years. The area is most renowned for the remains of more than 100 wooden steamships, known as the "Ghost Fleet," which were built for the U.S. Emergency Fleet between 1917-1919 as part of America’s engagement in World War I and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Their construction at more than 40 shipyards in 17 states reflected the massive national wartime effort that drove the expansion and economic development of communities and related maritime service industries.
Mallows Bay is a largely undeveloped landscape and waterscape identified as one of the most ecologically valuable in Maryland. Additionally, the structure provided by the ship remains and related infrastructure serve as habitat to populations of recreational fisheries, bald eagles, and other marine species.
Maps and Alternatives
Note that under Alternative A, NOAA would not designate a sanctuary.
Alternative B
Resources Present: Includes 118 WWI-era U.S. Emergency Fleet Corporation steamships; MD Indian Tribes heritage sties; remains of historic fisheries operations such as sturgeon and caviar industries, and Revolutionary and Civil War battlescapes.
Boundaries: Boundaries coincide with the Mallows Bay Widewater Historical and Archeological National Register District
Approximate Total Area (sq. mi.): 18
Alternative C (NOAA’s preferred alternative)
Resources Present: Includes Alternative B shipwrecks plus all known WWI-era USEFC vessels in MD waters and some historically, archaeologically, and recreationally significant shipwrecks and related assets which are not currently included in the Historic District.
Boundaries: The northern boundary extends near Ben Doane Road, MD, to Possum Nose, VA. The southern boundary extends from the end of Owens Drive east of Chotank Creek, VA to Benny Gray Point, MD.
Approximate Total Area (sq. mi.): 52
Alternative D
Resources Present: This alternative would add area upstream and downstream from Alternative C that potentially includes maritime assets and that supports the visitor use goals of the sanctuary. For the former, anecdotal records suggest the presence of additional maritime heritage resources and the water escape route to Virginia used by John Wilkes Booth.
Boundaries: The northern boundary extends across the mouth of Pomonkey Creek from just south of Anne Mason Court in Indian Head, MD, to Pomonkey Point, MD, and then from Pomonkey Point, MD, to Hallowing Point, VA. The southern boundary extends from Pope's Creek, MD, to Persimmon Point on Mathias Neck, VA.
Approximate Total Area (sq. mi.): 100
Public Meetings
Public scoping meetings will be held as detailed below:
La Plata, MD
Date: March 7, 2017
Location: Charles County Government Building Auditorium
Address: 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, MD
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Arnold, MD
Date: March 9, 2017
Location: Anne Arundel Community College
Address: Center for Applied Learning and Technology (CALT) Building (Room 100),
101 College Parkway, Arnold, MD 21012
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Comments
Comments must be received by March 31, 2017. Comments may be submitted by any one of the following methods:
Electronic
Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Click the "Comment Now!" icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
Paul Orlando
Chesapeake Bay Regional Coordinator
ONMS Northeast and Great Lakes Region
c/o NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office
410 Severn Ave, Suite 207-A
Annapolis, MD 21403
For more information contact
Paul Orlando
Chesapeake Bay Regional Coordinator
ONMS Northeast and Great Lakes Region
240-460-1978
paul.orlando@noaa.gov
About the Nomination
Mallows Bay–Potomac River was nominated as a national marine sanctuary through the Sanctuary Nomination Process with broad community and bipartisan support.
In September 2014, the state of Maryland submitted a nomination to be added to NOAA’s inventory of places to be considered as national marine sanctuaries. The nomination cited goals to protect and conserve the fragile remains of the nationally-significant collection of shipwrecks and cultural heritage resources as well as opportunities to foster education and research partnerships, and increased opportunities for public access, tourism, and economic development.
The nomination is endorsed by a diverse coalition of organizations and individuals at local, state, regional, and national levels. This included elected officials, Native Americans, historical societies, businesses, museums, and environmental, recreational, conservation, fishing, tourism, and educational groups.
NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary System
The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries serves as the trustee for a network of underwater parks encompassing more than 600,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters from Washington state to the Florida Keys, and from Lake Huron to American Samoa. The network includes a system of 13 national marine sanctuaries and Papahānaumokuākea and Rose Atoll marine national monuments.
