2014 Charles County Preservation Award Winners Announced
The Charles County Historic Preservation Commission hosted a Preservation Reception and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Port Tobacco Courthouse (Chapel Point Rd, Port Tobacco). As part of this event, the commission announced the 2014 Charles County Preservation Award winners.
Louise Turner and Joyce Candland received a preservation service award for their ongoing efforts with the maintenance of the Charles County historic sites file.
The American Indian Cultural Center & Piscataway Indian Museum was also awarded a preservation service award, which was accepted by Natalie Proctor, the Executive Director, Danita Wilson and Barry Wilson.
The Preservation Project Award was awarded to Nina and Hugh Voehl (owners) and Jeff Thompson (craftsman; Colonial Woodwrights LLC.) for their efforts in the restoration of the historic tobacco barn located on Wilkinson Farm.
Elizabeth Helm (owner), Tina Lohr (S.D. Lohr Inc.) and Ron Litton (Ron Litton Architecture) were recognized with the Preservation Project Award for their work on the Restoration of Thainston Farm.
For more information, contact Ms. Beth Groth at 301-645-0684 or GrothB (at) CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 866-269-9006.
Milestone Wedding Anniversary Celebrants Sought for Special Recognition
The Charles County Commissioners are seeking couples celebrating 70 years of marriage or more. During a Commissioners’ meeting in late March, the County Commissioners will recognize these couples and commemorate their marriage milestones.
Married couples meeting the above criteria as asked to respond by calling 301-645-0550 no later than Monday, March 17. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 866-269-9006.
Charter Board Meeting Rescheduled to March 6
The Charles County Charter Board meeting scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27 has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 6. The meeting will be held at the Charles County Government Building (200 Balitmore Street, La Plata) in the Charles County Conference Room at 6:30 p.m.
For additional information, contact Ms. Melody Weschler at 301-645-0555, or CharterBoard (at) CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 866-269-9006.
Charles County Environmental Resources Division and ORP Announce New Public Drop-off Locations to Recycle Used Oyster Shells
Shells will provide homes for new oysters in the Chesapeake Bay
The Charles County Commissioners, in partnership with the Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP), announce the opening of public oyster shell recycling facilities in Charles County. With additional counties offering shell drop-off sites, Maryland citizens can now recycle oyster shells in eight counties.
Oyster shell recycling services are available in Charles County at the following locations:
Charles County Landfill Recycling Center
12305 Billingsley Road, Waldorf, MD 20602
Monday through Saturday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Breeze Farm Recycling Center
15950 Cobb Island Road, Cobb Island, MD 20625
Wednesday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Gilbert Run Recycling Center
13140 Charles Street, La Plata, MD 20646
Wednesday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Pisgah Recycling Center
6645 Mason Springs Road, Pisgah, MD 20640
Monday through Saturday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
These recycling locations make it easier for restaurants and residents to take advantage of Maryland’s shell recycling tax incentives. Beginning in 2013, Maryland residents and restaurants have been able to receive a one dollar tax credit per bushel of recycled oyster shells, up to $750 a year.
Once individuals or restaurants drop off their shells, they can register the donation online at http://www.oysterrecovery.org/sra_forms/SRA_Reg.html to get their tax credit. ORP will collect the shells and transport them to the UMD Horn Point Oyster Hatchery.
ORP’s Shell Recycling Alliance has recycled 1,200 tons of shell since 2009. However, this provides only 10 percent of Maryland’s annual shell needs for oyster restoration efforts currently underway.
Scientists need recycled shells to raise hatchery oysters to plant on oyster reefs throughout the bay. The shells provide the best material for baby oysters to attach to as they grow. Maryland hatcheries have developed techniques to raise more oysters, but they need additional shell to keep up with a growing number of hatchery-produced oysters. Each recycled shell can provide homes for 10 new oysters.
In 2013, the University of Maryland Horn Point Lab Oyster Hatchery in Cambridge, Md., raised and planted 1.2 billion baby oysters, the first time any hatchery in the nation produced more than one billion Eastern oyster spat in a single season.
For additional questions regarding drop-off locations, contact 301-932-3599 or 301-870-2778, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For additional questions regarding the Shell Recycling Alliance, contact 410-990-4970 or email sra (at) oysterrecovery.org