We’ve scheduled a stream cleanup on April 12, 2025, at our home stream, the Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center. The cleanup will occur between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Those that are interested can also stay for some fishing after the cleanup. Please sign-up under Outings on our website.
The State of Maryland has selected five watersheds to receive state grant funding as part of the Whole Watershed Act that was passed by the General Assembly in 2024. The Whole Watershed Act aligns with the new strategy for Bay restoration in Maryland that focuses on improving shallow waterways such as creeks, streams, and rivers for recreation including improving habitats for fish populations. Antietam Creek in Washington County was selected as one of the five watersheds, with the Catoctin Land Trust being the program sponsor. Specific projects have not been finalized yet. All the programs including the Antietam Creek program will receive five years of technical and financial assistance related to the design and implementation of conservation and pollution-reduction projects. The Act provides implementation grants for up to 50% of the program cost with each watershed program required to secure additional funding from other state, federal, local, and private sources. Four public meetings will be held each year to allow for public comment. This is a great opportunity to see how Maryland is spending our tax dollars on watershed conservation. We’ll be following this important initiative and providing links and more information on how to participate in future issues of Streamlines.
— Pete D’Adamo