Patuxent River Canoe And Kayak Trip Planned

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Contact: Meo Curtis, 240-777-7711
Liz Vandenheuvel at 410-267-9009 or at 301-261-2281 (Maryland Department of Natural Resources)

For Immediate Release: April 30, 2001

Patuxent River Canoe and Kayak Trip Planned

Canoeists and kayakers are invited to participate in a trip down the Patuxent River from Sunday, June 3 to Sunday, June 10 as part of an ongoing effort to increase awareness of the river's resources and the need to protect them. The trip is limited to 100 people, who must supply their own canoes or kayaks. Participants may join the trip for a few days, or the whole week.

The “Patuxent Sojourn” will begin at the 4-H Center in Upper Marlboro near the intersection of Route 214 and Route 301, with participants traveling to the Patuxent River Park for two days of exploring. The paddlers will then continue down the river to Kings Landing in Calvert County for two more days. On Friday, June 8th, the paddlers will travel to Chalk Point in St. Mary's County to see the oil spill, the power plant and the aquaculture center. Saturday night will be spent at Christ Child Camp. Sunday, participants will paddle over to Broomes Island for the 14th Annual Bernie Fowler Wade-In.

Since 1987, Bernie Fowler, former State Senator from Calvert County, has waded out at Broomes Island in Calvert County as far as possible before he loses sight of his white sneakers (the "Sneaker Index"). This depth has been increasing steadily due to improved water clarity, the direct result of nutrient control upgrades to upstream wastewater treatment plants; more aggressive implementation of best management practices that prevent agricultural and urban runoff from entering the river; and cooperative inter-jurisdictional and interagency efforts that protect and restore environmentally important areas along the river and throughout the watershed. Montgomery County has been an active participant in these watershed protection activities since the early 1980's.

Campsite presentations will focus on wetland, river, and oyster restoration efforts. The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is the primary organizer for the Patuxent Sojourn, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will provide staff, transportation, and outreach.

Registration forms will be available soon. For more information, contact Liz Vandenheuvel at 410-267-9009 or at 301-261-2281 or by email at lizvh@annap.infi.net.

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