Gunpowder Valley Conservancy

GVC signs "Declaration for Our Watersheds" -- message for newly elected pols

The declaration was released at the Chesapeake Watershed Forum that took place on Nov 17-19.

Some background in a Sun article here [$ link in ~ 10 days].

Capt. John Smith, Queen Elizabeth, and the Gunpowder River

A Sun editorial today [$ link after ~10 days] mentions plans for a John Smith water trail:

Legislation granting a national historic designation to John Smith's 2,300-mile route of exploration from the fledgling settlement throughout the Chesapeake Bay  region still needs a final nod of approval from lame-duck lawmakers.

QE II is mentioned:

Queen Elizabeth II has agreed to serve as one of the star attractions of Jamestown's 400th anniversary celebration next May

The Gunpowder connection, according to Perry Hall historian David Marks:

It is believed that Captain John Smith sailed up the Gunpowder River in the 17th     Century, stopping when the rocks impeded his exploration ... He met two Indian tribes along the way[,] the Massawomeks and the Susquehannocks ... It was during this same journey in 1608 that Captain Smith discovered iron ore in Maryland, leading to intense industrialization along rivers like the Gunpowder. In Perry Hall, iron ore was mined at local sites, shipped to furnaces near the Gunpowder River, and converted into pig iron ...

Test video: "Why we plant"

Downstream view of Baisman's Run where spill occurred

After heavy rains the past few days, there doesn't seem to be much oil residue left at the spill site.

Site of last week's oil spill at Baisman's Run & Ivy Hill Rd.

An upstream view showing the bridge over Baisman's run and the crumpled guard rail at the site of last week's 400 gallon oil spill near Oregon Ridge Park:

GVC wraps up stream buffer plantings 2006

We had an excellent turnout on the banks of Dulaney Branch last Saturday -- 90 people -- for the last of our weekend tree-planting events in 2006. Two photos below and more here. Thanks everyone!

Tanker spills 400 gallons of heating oil into tributary of Loch Raven reservoir

Nick Shields of the Sun writes yesterday (pay link after 10 days) about an oil spill into Baisman's Run near Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville:

A tanker carrying 2,800 gallons of heating oil careened off a road in the Cockeysville area of northern Baltimore County yesterday, spilling about 400 gallons of the fuel into a stream, authorities said....

Geoffrey Donahue, an emergency response chief for the Maryland Department of the Environment , said crews placed containment booms in the water. The booms are designed to absorb the oil.

Robert Ballinger, a MDE spokesman, said yesterday afternoon that the oil had been contained and there were no signs of a fish kill or visible damage. He said the department will conduct an investigation into the spill.

The spill location in Baisman's run is about five miles upstream of Loch Raven reservoir.

Last tree-planting event of the season: Saturday, Nov. 4th 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Directions here. Map here.

Volunteers planting trees last Saturday at Dulaney Branch

There was a great turnout -- about 80 people -- including a group from Americorps NCCC and two Kiwanis-sponsored groups: the Key Club at Dulaney High School and Towson University's Circle K Club. We planted about 350 trees in three hours. Thanks to all who participated.