The Great Rain Barrel Survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BRRCrainbarrels
If you live in the Back River watershed and own a rain barrel, we need to hear from you! Click the link above for a quick, 5-minute, anonymous survey about your rain barrel.
just passed 500,000 lbs. and 2600 tires and counting…
Essex Hero
A few months ago, a local news reporter was given an opportunity to write an inspiring article for a major contest. The topic was “America Inspired”. The person that came straight to her mind was Brian Schilpp. Many of us know him, or have been influenced by his work with the BRRC in some way.
Winter 2011
TREE PLANTINGS
A big thanks to everyone involved in helping the BRRC successfully plant 138 trees this fall. Six local schools (Kenwood HS, Sparrows Point MS/HS, Overlea HS, Golden Ring MS, Eastern HS, and Crossroads Center) took students out of the classroom to learn about helping the environment first-hand. Students learned how their watershed works, the importance of a riparian buffer, and how to successfully plant trees. After the plantings, they all signed BRRC’s Trash Treaty, committing to reduce the trash in the Back River watershed. Thank you students and teachers for going the extra mile to care for your watershed.
We couldn’t have accomplished this without working in partnership with Baltimore County Outdoor Science Coordinator, Pat Ghingher, Blue Water Baltimore, DNR Forest Service manager Rob Prenger, and the Baltimore County Forestry Board.
Volunteer and Student Clean Ups
Our October 15th Community Clean Up day was extremely successful. Over 150 volunteers came out to clean up different locations around Back River. In 4 hours, the volunteers were able to remove 5 dumpsters full of trash, 50 tires, and 2 trucks full of scrap metal. Imagine if that was still floating in the river. It’s obvious that Back River residents support the BRRC and are invested in the clean up of Back River. Thanks for all the support.
Several groups came out to our fall clean up. Police Athletic League (PAL) shown above.
Jim Pollock, local sculptor, along with 40 Towson University art students came out to not only clean trash out of the water, but to get metal and trash to create sculptures with. Many of these items will on sale at our 2nd Annual Trash Art Auction on May 20.
Trash art made by Towson University art student with scraps found in Back River. These items will be for sale at our Art Auction on May 20.
The BRRC has also had many smaller clean ups with school groups this fall. We have been working in partnership with the Police Athletic League (shown below), Crossroads Center, and Head Start School to coordinate outdoor education through clean-ups of Back River.
SHRIMP FEAST- HUGE SUCCESS
On November 6, the BRRC held its 3rd annual Shrimp Feast Fundraiser. Almost 400 Back River residents, politicians, and supporters came to the Hawks Pleasure Club to show support for our efforts. We would like to thank every person who came out to the feast, every organization and business that donated to make the event possible, and every BRRC board member who spent hours in preparation for the event.
Not only was the feast fun, but it was also a huge success for the BRRC.
Thanks, Herb Ulrich for donating such delicious food to go along with the shrimp!
We would like to thank the politicians who came out to show their support for the BRRC. Councilwoman Cathy Bevins, Delegate John Olszewski, Jr., Councilman John Olszewski, Sr. have all continually been great partners for the BRRC and came out yet again to show that they care about the restoration of Back River.
Plaques and certificates of appreciation were given to members of the BRRC who have gone above and beyond in their dedication to restoring everyone’s river. Brian Schilpp, Clark Testerman, Captain Jerry Ziemski, Joyce Testerman, Steve Verch, Larry Farinetti, Herb Ulrich, and Larry Lee (shown below) were all recognized for their extraordinary efforts to save Back River.
Captain Jerry Ziemski was given an Award of Excellence for his outstanding leadership as the BRRC’s first President.
Clark Testerman, boom manager, was awarded a plaque for his tireless effort and dedicated service.
Brian Schilpp, BRRC’s first Project Manager and current board member received a plaque for outstanding leadership and dedication.
From left to right: Don Albright, Joyce Testerman, Larry Farinetti, Larry Lee, Herb Ulrich, Steve Verch. BRRC President Don Albright awarded these dedicated Back River residents Certificates for their passion, service, and accomplishments. Thank you all for making the BRRC what it is today.
MGO Oysters Pilot Update
In September, the BRRC received 15 cages full of oyster spats from the Oyster Recovery Partnership and DNR. We delivered them to 15 willing residents of Back River in the beginning of September. Unfortunately days after installation, Back River received an incredible amount of fresh water through heavy rain storms, tornados, and the opening of the Conowingo Dam. This caused salinity levels to be at a record low, much lower than is needed for oyster spats to grow and survive. We still had hope, and 15 residents around Back River still dedicated their time to washing the accumulating silt off of the cages.
Back River resident and BRRC board member Tony Kotecki shakes off his cage regularly.
The Director of DNRs Shellfish Restoration Program and the Director of Special Programs for the Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) came out to visit Back River in early November to check on the oysters’ status. As expected, the rains damaged the spats and they were not able to survive the influx of fresh water.
The ORP and DNR were able to bring us more cages with larger spats that are heartier and were grown in very low salinity. They are more optimistic about their growth, so we promptly moved them closer to the mouth of Back River- to residents of Edgemere and Sparrows Point. Thank you to all of the residents involved who are helping the BRRC, ORP, and DNR with this pilot program. Salinity levels have been unusually low this year, and we hope to see oysters thriving throughout Back River in the future.
Rain barrels for sale!
The BRRC is selling rain barrels for less than half of their original cost- just $40 (originally $90). We want to support the sale of rain barrels because they dramatically reduce the stormwater runoff that leads to pollution in Back River and the Chesapeake Bay. Stormwater runoff is one of the biggest problems facing the Bay today, so please join in the fight to reduce pollution in our water. If you or anyone you know is interested in installing a rain barrel in your yard, call 443-414-4384 or email savebackriver@gmail.com.
BRRC rain barrels come with everything needed for installation; you just need basic tools and a few minutes.
New Leadership for BRRC takes hold
The BRRC is happy to announce a new era of leadership for the organization. Local businessman and recent BRRC Vice President, Don Albright, will be serving as President of the organization and college crew alum, Molly Williams, has been hired as the new Project Manager. Both Don and Molly have been on the job for several weeks and have successfully led the organization through damaging rains for the trash boom, a hurricane and the recent golf tournament fundraiser. The new team has really hit the ground running, with a Fall calendar of events featuring clean-ups, school tree plantings, meetings and the annual Shrimp Feast. Don has served as a Vice President of the BRRC for the last two years and has been instrumental in the planning of many of our most successful events. Don has a tremendous reputation in the community, is a leader in the Hawks Pleasure Club and is a respected businessman in the Baltimore region. The BRRC is looking forward to Don’s tenure as President as we head into the future. The BRRC would also like to Thank, the recently retired, BRRC President Capt. Jerry Ziemski for his dedicated years of service. Molly Williams returns to the BRRC after recently graduating from the University of Vermont with a degree in Environmental Science and Sustainability. Molly is an alumni of the first college summer crew (Summer 2010) that worked on the river. She was part of the crew that first cleared the Back River “flats” and former Project Manager, Brian Schilpp, claims “no woman has pulled more tires out of Back River than Molly Williams”. After summer crew, Molly returned to college and worked on her senior project thesis, which focused on the Back River watershed. Molly has been fully involved in the day to day operations and looks forward to working with the entire BRRC community.
August and September Storm Damage
The Baltimore Region has experienced two of the wettest months on record and the Back River trash boom has received a workout, as a result of the heavy rains. However, the boom has consistently captured thousands of pounds of trash and tree debris over the last sixty days. BRRC Trash Boom Manager, Clark Testerman, has overseen the removal of over 70 tons of material (yes, over a ton/day) over the last two months and the crew is consistently working to keep Back River – Trash Free. Several residents in the area have forward pictures of the river, filled with debris, following recent storms. We need to continue working with Baltimore County government to address several other tributaries in the region that are contributing to the trash problem. Imagine the condition of the river if the 695 boom did not stop 70 tons of material. Hurricane Irene did damage to the flats, but we have a clean up occurring on October 15th that will help minimize the impacts of these past months. The BRRC has also made contact with local officials, Baltimore County goverment and Baltimore City Public Works regarding the recent sediment and sewage problems
Essex – Park & Ride
This Clean Up will address several areas damaged during the storms. The main meeting location will be the Essex – Park and Ride (standard location), but then groups will be asked to head to satellite locations that will include the Back River Flats, 212 Riverside Drive and Sullivans Garage. We will be distributing gloves, getting people registered and providing refreshments following the event at the park & ride.
The Back River Restoration Committee held the first annual golf tournament at Rocky Point golf Course on Thursday, September 15, 2011. The tournament had a great list of sponsors (see below). All the prize winners, including the 50/50, donated the winnings back to the BRRC. Special thanks to Rocky Point, Don Albright, Susan and Larry Farinetti, Mary Taylor, Molly Williams, Herb Ulrich and all the other volunteers who helped to make this event such a success. Winners included: Jonas Jacobson - closest to the pin, Marybeth Perry was ladies longest drive, and Bob Latshaw was men’s longest drive. The winning team was Jonas Jacobson, Bob Latshaw, A. Rosenblatt, and Brian Schneider. (pictured immediately below)
GOLF TOURNAMENT SPONSORS
Albright’s Mechanical Service, Inc. Goldstar Title, Wayne L. Greifzu Contracting, Herbs Maintenance, Chase Lawnmower, Beckwith Equipment, Latshaw Real Estate Advisers, Stephen L. Verch Attorney at Law, M&T Bank Perry Hall, Dock of the Bay Restaurant, Micheal’s Bay Marine, Weaver’s Marina, Costa’s Crabhouse, Bay Savers, Marine Trades Association, Delegate Mike Weir, Senator Norman Stone, Councilwoman Cathy Bevins, Micheal’s Outboard Repair, Hobbs Citgo, Maaco Auto Collision Repair, C&D Corporation, Dicon Services, Riverside Marine, Hawks Pleasure Club
A total of fifteen cages were installed up and down Back River in early September. Members of the BRRC, who pre-registered for this program, are now the proud keepers of oysters. The project is a pilot to determine the viability of oyster aquaculture in Back River.
The recent influx of freshwater may get the spat off to a rocky start, but only time will tell. The cages are spread through out the seven-mile tidal portion of Back River. We have cages installed from Weaver’s Marina to Millers Island. Look for updates on this project in the coming months.
People have continually asked what the volunteer growers need to do to monitor the cages. ”Cage Keepers” should definitely shake the oysters to keep them clean of sediment and other debris that can hinder growth. Keepers should also make sure the cage stays at least 12 inches underwater during the winter to prevent freezing. Not much else to do, but keep an eye on the shells to monitor growth.
Towson University Students Volunteer for BRRC
Towson University has been a consistent partner and source for volunteers since the BRRC started holding clean-ups in 2009. We have had over 200 students from TU volunteer time in the watershed. The most recent group of 24 students, worked with Molly Williams to clean up the beaches around the Eastern Avenue bridge following storms in August and September. This partnership will continue at the October 15th event when approx. 24 sculpture students will visit the Back River watershed in search of trash and treasures for upcoming projects. Thanks again Towson University!
