Hart-Miller Island State Park was acquired by the State of Maryland in 1977-78 for a very specific purpose. At that time it consisted of three separate islands (Hart, Miller and Pleasure Islands) that together comprised about 250 acres of land. Pleasure Island, the closest to the mainland, was privately developed in the late 1940s as New Bay Shore, an amusement park accessible from the mainland via a wooden bridge. However over the years, New Bay Shore was badly damaged by several storms and finally closed when the bridge washed out in the mid-1960s.
Creating a Park Out of Thin...Water
To make HMI a reality would take 20 years and a myriad of partners. The design, development and management of this ambitious project has been a cooperative effort between the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Maryland Port Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Maryland Environmental Service, and the Maryland Department of the Environment.
The initial dike was 18 feet in height and a cross dike divided it into two sections -- a south cell comprising 300 acres and a north cell of 800 acres. Eventually the dike around the south cell was raised to 28 feet and the north cell was raised to 44 feet in height.
The perimeter dike was completed by 1983 and the pumping of dredged material into the south cell was initiated in May of 1984. In 1990 the south cell was considered filled and restoration began, while pumping continued into the north cell. Current plans call for the 800-acre north cell to be added to the state park after it is filled in about five years.
While the south cell was being filled, approximately 100 acres of the original islands were developed and operated by DNR as HMI State Park. The area includes tidal wetlands, sandy coastal forest and open beach. Stone breakwaters protect the beach itself. Currently there are hiking trails, a visitor's center, campsites, composting toilets, picnic facilities, an observation tower and the bathing beach. The park is managed out of North Point State Park in Baltimore County.
A Park Without Parking Lots
Planning for restoration of the south cell
began as soon as the original perimeter dike was completed and dredged material
began to be pumped into the facility in May of 1984. In 1997, a restoration team
was established, composed of representatives of all the previously mentioned
state and federal agencies, and complimented by a group of very interested and
active area residents and members of the Maryland Ornithological Society. The
main question posed by all parties was in what capacity the restored island
should function. Early suggestions ranged from simple revegetation to a theme
park complete with water slides and a wave pool. Level heads prevailed and team
discussions centered on appropriate natural habitat that would support species
deemed to be of "scarcity and significance."
This seasonal fluctuation has a dual purpose - in addition to providing much needed habitat for resident and migrant birds, it will also serve to control the growth of phragmites, a pervasive invasive reed that is a major problem at dredged material containment sites and other disturbed areas.
The final plan for HMI provides a 4-acre water intake pond, a fluctuating pool pond with a half-acre nesting island, about 130 acres of seasonally exposed mudflats, and approximately 140 acres of upland grassland, shrub and forest habitat. A permanent pool of roughly 28 acres will surround the nesting island, providing a safe area for nesting species, such as the threatened least tern, which requires nesting sites secure from predators such as foxes and raccoons.
Come On In, the
The anticipated draw down/flooding cycle will provide a full pool for wintering waterfowl from December to February; draw down to provide mudflats for migrating shorebirds March through May; be flooded to rehydrate mudflats in June; provide a full pool for summer waterfowl in July; drawdown to provide mudflats for winter migrants from August to September; and flood to full pool for wintering waterfowl, October to November.
The water management system is currently being installed and tested, the upland planting is ongoing, and plans are being made for the transfer of the 300-acre south cell to DNR's management sometime this year. The south cell addition will be maintained as a wildlife preserve with nature trails and interpretive signs. While visitors will be required to stay on marked trails, those that make their way to HMI will be able to enjoy a truly remarkable concentration of species, made possible by the creation and management of a completely artificial habitat complex.
To date, 278 species of birds have been sighted at HMI, and more than 50 species have been found to nest there. One of the most recent nesting records is a pair of bald eagles that established a nest this year.
HMI is a wonderful example of how a multi-agency interdisciplinary planning team can take an acknowledged environmental problem, like the placement of dredged material, and create valuable wildlife habitat and an outstanding recreational opportunity.
Arnold "Butch" Norden