A Targeted Restoration Outreach Initiative
in the Bennett Creek Watershed

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We are pleased to share the good news that the Potomac Conservancy has been awarded a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, a private, nonprofit grantmaking organization created by the Maryland General Assembly in 1985 to promote public awareness and participation in the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay and its Maryland tributaries. The goal of the grant is to assist property owners with restoration projects to improve water quality and stream health along Pleasant and Fahrney Branches in the Bennett Creek watershed.

The Bennett Creek Restoration Initiative grew out of the work of a broad group of stakeholders guiding the Lower Monocacy River Watershed Restoration Action Strategy (WRAS) planning initiative.  The Bennett Creek and Upper Linganore Creek were priority watersheds where specific restoration actions were recommended.  The Potomac Conservancy secured funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust and began its outreach and assistance in Fall 2005.  Other participating partners include the Frederick Soil Conservation District, Community Commons, Ducks Unlimited, and Frederick County's Watershed Management Section.

The Lower Monocacy River WRAS planning initiative included Stream Corridor Assessments (SCA) of various stream reaches in Bennett and Upper Linganore Creek. SCA data for the Fahrney and Pleasant Branches was collected during 2003.  During this study, the stream corridor was walked and noted, photographed, and mapped areas of concern, such as:

• Inadequate Buffers
• Erosion Sites
• Fish Barriers
• Trash Dumping
• Pipe Outfalls
• Exposed Pipes
• Channel Alterations
• Unusual Conditions/Comments
• Representative Sites

This data about the stream corridor helps identify areas where restoration projects would have greatest benefit to water quality and wildlife habitat.

Pleasant Branch meanders through one landowner’s property.
Two horses graze in these areas.  Horse access to the stream will be limited using resources from the Restoration Initiative.
Bryan Seipp, from Potomac Conservancy, talks with Ed Morgan, a Bennett Creek landowner, about the restoration options for his and the adjoining property.  Ace, Ed’s Catahoula Leopard dog (the state dog of Louisiana) accompanies the walkers.

Workshops are planned to offer technical information to both residential and agricultural property owners.

We look forward to working with property owners along Pleasant and Fahrney Branches to improve water quality.  For further information, please contact Bryan Seipp with Potomac Conservancy by phone at (301) 608.1188 x207 or by email at seipp@potomac.org or Kay Schultz with Frederick County by phone at (301) 694.1741 or by email at kschultz@fredco-md.net. 

Click here for a flyer about the Bennett Creek Watershed Restoration Initiative (Size: 305 KB)