6. Isle of Wight Bay - The Coastal Bays Program

shifting sandsConclusionsThe ecosystem healthof Isle of Wight Bay is impactedIsle of Wight Bay ranked as impactedfor both estuarine and watershed health.Water quality was better in the well-flushedopen bay than in the tributaries, and goodscores for bay benthic communities andsediment quality were balanced by poorresults for brown tide, hard clams, seagrass,and stream benthic communities. Thisresulted in Isle of Wight Bay’s overallecosystem health ranking as fourth of theCoastal Bays. For more information, seeChapter 2—Ecosystem Health Assessment.Isle of Wight Bay issuesAlthough the following issues arepresented here as pertaining to Isle ofWight Bay, they also apply to other CoastalBays subwatersheds.How healthy is Isle of Wight Bay?1.0HEALTHY6.6IMPACTED0.42Dead-end canalscan create ecological problemsThere are at least 111 canals adjacent to theCoastal Bays, 59 of which are in Isle ofWight Bay. Most of these canals were builtbetween 1960 and 1980 by developmentprojects that dug the canals to createresidential waterfront lots. Dead-endcanals are problematic for several reasons.They usually have only one opening. Mostwere dug through wetlands with the3.3DEGRADED0.0Jane ThomasAerial view of Isle of Wight Bay, with Ocean City and the inlet in the background.102

Chapter 6 • isle of wight bayIsle of Wight Bay & watershed factsWatershed area (km2) 51.8Average bay depth (m) 1.22Surface area of bay (km2) 21.1Watershed area : surface area 2.45Bay water volume (m3 × 106) 22.85Watershed area : water volume 2.27Flushing rate (days) 9.45Population 18,570Land use in Isle of Wight Bay subwatershedResidential26.0%Wetlands5.2%Forest37.0%Agriculture18.5%Beaches& bareground

shifting sandspollution, and silting of canal mouths andends. The question of who is responsiblefor maintaining the canals is ambiguous.Most canals are stabilized withbulkheading (vertical walls that deflectall wave action and cause scouringof the canal bottom). Scouring canundermine the bulkhead and exacerbateerosion. Furthermore, bulkheading washistorically made with treated lumbercontaining toxic chemicals, includingcopper, chromium, and arsenic. A study ofMaryland and Delaware bays found thatsome bay sediments were contaminatedwith metals (arsensic, copper, nickel,zinc), pesticides (chlordane, dieldrin, DDT[dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane]), andother chemicals (PCBs [polychlorinatedbiphenyls], PAHs [polycyclic aromatichydrocarbons]).3 The most severecontamination was found in areas withboating activity (such as marinas, whereboat paints and sacrificial anodes on boatsand crab pots are sources of pollution) andintense urbanization (bulkheads, auto-partwear, stormwater runoff, and atmosphericinputs). This same study found that morethan 55% of the area in dead-end canalshad bottom dissolved oxygen less than thestate standard of 5 mg L-1. Thirty percent ofthe dead-end canal area had concentrationsof less than 2 mg L-1. Low oxygen stressesorganisms. When researchers examinedthe canals for marine life they found that78% had only two organisms—pollutiontolerantworms and algae.Although ecological conditionswithin the canals are degraded, theyeffectively function as an unintentionalbest management practice by preventingrelease of pollutants into the CoastalBays themselves. Accordingly, correctingproblems within the canals wouldrequire the tradeoff that these materialswould be exported into the bays. Therecommendations below only addressimprovement of conditions withinthe canals, not how to limit impactof pollutants within the canals on theCoastal Bays.Jane ThomasFenwick Island contains many dead-end canal developments.104

Chapter 6 • isle of wight bayPolicy recommendations• Determine who has jurisdiction and maintenanceresponsibilities for canals and non-federal channels.How often should maintenance be conducted?• Investigate the feasibility of a Navigation andDredging tax district.• Investigate the feasibility of replacing oldbulkheading using soft shoreline stabilizationtechniques.• Provide best management practices for dredgingand maintaining canals. Discourage the practice ofspot-dredging holes for boat docks and boat lifts.These holes in shallower canals cause water qualityproblems.• Fill canal depressions with dredge material to meancanal depth. Maintain a depth and slope to meetnatural bay conditions. Remove sediment sills fromthe mouths of the canals to improve flushing andwater quality.• Direct roof and road stormwater runoff awayfrom canals. Many canal-front homes have burieddownspout pipes that discharge roof-top rainwaterdirectly into the adjacent canal. These pipes shouldbe disconnected to allow water to soak into theground or be diverted to small rain gardens wherethe water can be absorbed by plants and shrubs.• Determine if dredge material is suitable for wetland/island creation projects.• Increase public education and involvement bymaking homeowners and associations aware of theimpact of their practices on water quality. Engagethem in seeking solutions and remediation practices.• Explore pollution prevention methods, particularlyin dead-end canals in residential areas.isle of wight bayNavigation & dredging activitiesshould be coordinatedResponsibility for navigation and dredging in theCoastal Bays is shared by several federal, state, and localagencies as well as private communities, businesses, andindividuals. The lack of overall planning and coordinationin the past contributed to a variety of problems, includingpublic confusion about these issues, inadequateenvironmental safeguards, failure to make full beneficialuse of dredged material, and non-standard channelmaintenance and marking. Locally based planning,coordination, and vision was needed to enhance theCondominiums and amusement parks are a typical Isle of Wight Bay vista.Jane Thomas105

shifting sandsmanagement of navigation and dredgingand minimize adverse effects on theCoastal Bays.Dredging of Isle of Wight Bay andOcean City Inlet aids boaters in navigatingthe sandy shoals that form behind theisland, and transforms the shoals from anavigation hassle into a key component ofisland restoration. The sand bodies—tidaldeltas—form seaward and landward oftidal inlets as a result of the sudden dropin water velocity that occurs where theflooding tide meets the bay and where theebbing tide joins the ocean.In order to restore sand transportprocesses, which were disrupted by thestabilization of the Ocean City Inlet withjetties, the Long-Term Sand ManagementProgram dredges sand from portions ofthe tidal deltas within the bay, the inlet,and the nearshore areas of both OceanCity and Assateague Island. It is thendeposited offshore of a sand-starvedsection of Assateague Island and severalerosional hotspots in Ocean City.This sand bypassing method attemptsto restore sand movement using naturalprocesses such as wave movement andlongshore currents. The restoration projectalso provides bathymetric surveys of theinlet and the tidal deltas every two years.This data quantifies changes in the locationand volume of sand bodies in the bays andaround the inlet. For more informationon the Long-Term Sand ManagementProject and the changes resulting from theconstruction of the Ocean City Inlet jetties,see Chapter 12—Dynamic Systems at theLand–Sea Interface.Due to the relatively shallow natureof the Maryland Coastal Bays, themaintenance of navigable waterways tosupport recreational and commercialboating is a critical regional need. Improvedplanning and coordination between federal,state, local, and private interests is neededto enhance the economic and recreationalbenefits of navigation improvements anddredging while minimizing their adverseeffects on natural resources.Recreational boating is a popular pastime in theCoastal Bays, requiring navigation and dredgingmaintenance.A Navigation and Dredging AdvisoryGroup was created to develop a MasterPlan to guide the management ofnavigation and dredging in the CoastalBays, provide a forum for public input intorelated decision-making, and enhance andprotect natural resources either at risk orthat may benefit from navigation-relatedactivities. This committee developeda master plan that now needs to beimplemented.6 The committee needsto continue to organize as the forum ofdiverse Coastal Bays users and agenciesresponsible for navigation and dredging ina way that allows concerns, needs, obstacles,and benefits to be highlighted, discussed,and coordinated. By doing so, navigationand dredging actions can be expedited andprovide the greatest benefits at least cost tobay users and the bay ecology. For moreinformation, see Chapter 3—Managementof the Coastal Bays & Watershed.Recommendations• Promote and implement therecommendations of the MasterPlan to guide the management ofAndy Serrell106

Chapter 6 • isle of wight baynavigation and related activities inthe Coastal Bays.• Provide an ongoing forumfor communication betweenagencies and organizations withresponsibilities for, or interest in,navigation and dredging to enhancecoordination and consistency.• Design and distribute a Navigationand Dredging Planning Guide toaddress the following issues:• Dredged materials management.• Use recent studies to identify andsecure dredge placement sites.• Prioritize areas that require dredging.• Link areas that require dredging toareas in need of fill material.• Track total dredge materialdisposal needs by volume, location,and sediment type.• Encourage citizen participation inproject monitoring.• Develop educational materials thatdescribe best management practicesfor dredging, including time-of-yearrestrictions, preferred methods,safeguards for sensitive areas, andcontaminated sites management.Ensure that these materials areavailable to the public and updatedperiodically.• Develop and distribute a mapidentifying federal and markedprivate navigation channels. Includeinformation regarding sensitivespecies areas and personal watercraftrestricted areas.• Prioritize areas to improve channelmarkers, especially small channelsleading to and from boat accesspoints and the federal channelin Chincoteague Bay. Using acoordinated effort, identify andsecure needed funding for markerupgrades and new installations.Provide the opportunity for publicreporting of marker and channelconditions via agency phonenumbers and websites.• Make timely updates to nauticalcharts. Determine the frequencyneeded to collect meaningfulbathymetry data. Identify long-termfunding sources and responsibleagencies.• Develop educational materialsoutlining permit details, includinginformation needed, permit reviewtime, contacts, appeals process, andpublic participation opportunities.Wetlands should be managed,preserved, & restoredIsle of Wight Bay has incurred substantialloss of wetlands from developmentand agriculture. Although wetlandsregulations now serve to protect directloss of wetlands, permitted losses dooccur. The vast majority of permittedimpacts have been in the Isle of Wight Baywatershed, which has the smallest wetlandextent. For more information on wetlands,see Chapter 3—Management of the Coastalisle of wight baySubwatershedDrainage area(acres)Total wetlandarea (acres)Wetland extent(%)Assawoman Bay 6,104 2,746 45Isle of Wight Bay & St. Martin River 36,077 5,648 16Sinepuxent Bay 6,598 4,023 61Newport Bay 27,923 6,546 23Chincoteague Bay 34,842 15,530 45Coastal Bays total 111,544 34,493 31Extend of wetlands in the Coastal Bays watershed.10,12107

shifting sandsBays & Watershed and Chapter 15—Habitats of the Coastal Bays & Watershed.Permitted non-tidal wetland lossesand conversion impacts from 1991–2006totalled 89.34 acres in the Coastal Bays:Losses ‒89.34State mitigation (gain) +25.20Landowner mitigation (gain) +57.56Additional voluntary gains +6.07Total backlog of non-tidal wetlands ‒0.51MitigationThe Coastal Bays watershed has thelargest compensatory mitigation backlogin Maryland. Permittees can pay intothe state compensation fund wherewetland impacts are minor or when thelandowner has no other option (e.g.,residential developments). However,when the opportunity is available,permitees are required to replace lostwetlands. Completion of mitigationprojects and their success was not welldocumented until 2007, when MarylandDepartment of the Environment (MDE)completed a review of the effectivenessof its mitigation program. Mitigation hasgenerally been found to be successfuland MDE is increasing its monitoringand follow-up efforts. There has been nopenalty applied to date for failing to carryout mitigation monitoring or file reports.In general, wetland scientists agree thatmitigation often fails to replace thefunction of the lost wetland, particularlyif the original wetland was not degraded.However, MDE’s program, whenadequately staffed, can document thatand oversee establishment of wetlandsthat are on the right path to replacing lostwetland functions.Preservation & restorationIn the cases of some new developments,when a permit is issued for wetlandimpacts, a deed restriction on theremaining wetland area on the property isapplied. Estimates run to a few thousandacres. There are difficulties in enforcingthese restrictions—this is the job of thecompliance/enforcement divisions of theregulatory agencies. Deed restrictions arealso subject to reversal in the courts, andthus represent a somewhat tentative layerof protection.A goal to replace 4,050 ha (10,000 acres)has been adopted by the Maryland Coastaljane thomasThe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Maryland Deparment of Natural Resources, and Worcester County worked togetherto restore approximately 4 ha (10 acres) of saltmarsh on the southern tip of the Isle of Wight Wildlife ManagementArea, seen in the foreground. For more information, see Chapter 3—Management of the Coastal Bays & Watershed.108

Chapter 6 • isle of wight bayBays Program. Since 1999, nearly 809 ha(2,000 acres) of wetlands have beencreated or restored largely through theusda’s nrcs Wetland Reserve Program.6The Isle of Wight Bay subwatershedcontains a Non-tidal Wetland of SpecialState Concern—West Ocean City Pond.The primary management goal for thiswetland is to preserve the water quality ofthe pond by maintaining a 30-m (100-ft)forested buffer around the pond.9MDE has worked to prioritize wetlandsfor preservation, restoration, andmitigation in the subwatersheds of theCoastal Bays, including assessing speciesand resources and identifying areas wherethe most benefit could be gained.7,8With their location at the land–waterinterface, wetlands are particularlyvulnerable to sea level rise, especiallyif they are prevented from migratinglandward by existing development. Formore information, see Chapter 15—Habitats of the Coastal Bays & Watershed.ManagementProblems with wetland management arepresent within permitting, enforcement,and preservation. Confusion aboutrequirements and costs could bereduced by requiring an environmentalassessment or certified wetlanddelineation report submittal at the outsetfor large projects. Mapping of bothtidal and non-tidal wetlands is deficientand outdated, and accurate updates areneeded. Compliance suffers from a lack ofimmediate penalty for wetland violationsand lack of any imposed penaltiesfor failures in wetland mitigation.Preservation through deed restrictionssuffers from lack of oversight.Recommendations• Implement Worcester County’sComprehensive Plan.14• Regulation and enforcement:• Begin a large-scale publiceducation initiative with propertyowners.• Increase staffing resources tofollow up on projects, violations,mitigation, etc.• Return to the system of ticketingviolators on the spot.• Establish monitoring/reportingof violations from the air byMaryland Department of NaturalResources during other flightmissions.• Permitting:• Institute a formalized processof environmental assessmentor certified wetland delineationreport submittal at the outset ofeach large or complex project.• Mapping:• Update the current tidal wetlandsmaps to reflect changes in sea level,shorelines, etc.• Revise the non-tidal wetland maps.• Mitigation:• Institute a bonding requirementand/or penalty to reduce noncompliancewith mitigationmonitoring requirement. MDE nowrequires that bonds be submittedbefore permits are issued.• Consider instituting a watershedwidemitigation banking system.• Establish a program of acquisitionor easement on lands for futureprogrammatic mitigation sites toavoid the current difficulties infinding sites in a reasonable timeframe.• Perform more detailed functionalloss assessments in determiningthe mitigation required,especially on larger projects—improvements to the assessmentprocedure for wetlands proposedfor impact are under developmentby MDE.• Raise the wetland compensationfund payment schedule to a morereasonable payment to reflectcurrent land values.• Wetland mitigation shouldbe conducted according toisle of wight bay109

shifting sandsrecommendations alreadypublished.7,8• Buffer mitigation:• Reconsider current buffermitigation exemption, especiallywhere a wetland remains after itsbuffer is destroyed.• Database/records management:• Tidal permits:• Improve form of records andclarify organization.• Non-tidal permits:• Make available subsets ofdatabases, and more extensivedata analysis.• Document the time at whichwetland impacts begin in orderto ensure maximum overlap offunctioning mitigation wetlandarea and to record projects thatdid not occur.• Add the following informationnot now collected: areaprotected via deed restriction;functional losses for Letter ofAuthorization permits; andcompletion/success of creation,restoration, and enhancementprojects for cases wheremitigation is not required.• Staffing:• Address staffing and funding needsto implement some of the aboverecommendations.There are large amountsof impervious surfacesImpervious surfaces increase runoff,erosion, sedimentation, thermalpollution, excess nutrients, toxic metals,and detrimental organic compounds inaquatic systems.1,11 Impervious surfacesare any surfaces (pavement, rooftops,and compacted soils) that prevent waterfrom penetrating into the ground. InChesapeake Bay tributaries, bottom-layerdissolved oxygen and fish communitiesdecreased significantly as impervioussurfaces increased.13 In addition, PCBcontamination in white perch increasedwith impervious surfaces.5jane thomasIncreasing development threatens wetlands along the shores of Turville (foreground) and Herring Creeks.110

Chapter 6 • isle of wight bayjane thomasisle of wight bayIsle of Wight Bay has a high proportion of impervious surfaces, as shown here on Fenwick Island.Impacts of agricultural practices andextensive stream channelization havedegraded and will continue to impactstream ecosystems in the Coastal Bays.Future development could exacerbatethese problems, particularly in areas whereimpervious cover is likely to be substantial.Research from streams elsewhere in thestate indicates that significant biologicaldegradation can be expected to occurwhere stormwater runoff is not adequatelymanaged and impervious cover in awatershed exceeds 10%.11 Impervioussurface in the Isle of Wight Bay watershedis currently at this 10% threshold (seeChapter 2—Ecosystem Health Assessment).In the northern bays, where the greatestvolume of stormwater runoff fromdeveloped areas is received, frequentexchange with ocean water occurs, whichmay limit the impacts of stormwaterrunoff. Additionally, flat slopes and largeareas of sandy soils serve to somewhatlimit runoff impacts. Estuarine waters thatare not as well flushed may accumulatepollutants more readily.Land use planning is largely underlocal control and is often conducted ona project-by-project basis that does notconsider watershed-wide impervioussurface and its associated impacts onaquatic resources. It is not known ifstormwater or restoration technologycan negate or reverse these impacts,particularly on biological communitiesand their habitats. Because of theseuncertainties, effects of impervioussurfaces on aquatic systems should beconsidered in the planning process.Studies in similar habitats haverecommended avoiding the 10% thresholdby applying a safe margin of 2–3% lessthan 10% in order to reduce the riskof biological impairment.1,13 However,avoiding the 10% impervious threshold isunrealistic for some areas to be developed,but maximizing development density willreduce demand for rural land elsewhere.Studies have not been conducted todetermine impacts of impervious coveron the Coastal Bays, but research onChesapeake Bay tributaries and SouthCarolina tidal creeks have indicatedthreshold effects and it is only prudentto consider those examples in planningfuture development in the CoastalBays.4,5,13Maryland is among the mostprogressive states in the nation withregard to stormwater management. MDEregulations require new development inrural areas and redevelopment in alreadyexisting developed areas to mitigateimpacts of stormwater runoff. Theregulations set goals for pollutant removal,maintenance of groundwater recharge, andcontrolling impacts to receiving streams.The latter considers reducing or preventingincreased channel erosion and streamoverbank flooding. Thus, redevelopment111

shifting sandsof older areas in accordance with MDE’snew policies would be anticipated togradually reduce impacts of stormwaterrunoff from these older areas. Newdevelopment done in accordance withcurrent MDE stormwater managementguidelines will probably not cause thesevere problems that older developmentdone prior to modern guidelines/requirements did. However, in spite ofthe strength of these MDE requirements,the long-term effectiveness of stormwatermanagement measures is yet to bedetermined. Additionally, it is likely thatcumulative effects of large-scale newurbanization will gradually impair surfaceand groundwaters since their pollutiongeneration rate is greater per acre.Recommendations• Implement WorcesterCounty’s Comprehensive Planrecommendations regardingimpervious surfaces.14• Initiate research projects to definesuccessful measures for preventingor restoring degraded habitat inbrackish and marine waters. Formore information, see Chapter 3—Management of the Coastal Bays &Watershed.Stormwater best managementpractices should be implementedin Ocean Cityof disturbance. Therefore, 99% of alldevelopment/redevelopment in the townmust incorporate some sort of BMP thattreats stormwater.The choices of BMPs in Ocean City arevery limited. Lot size and value are themain restrictions. Buildings are locatedsetback to setback, and after parking andlandscaping requirements and location ofutilities, stormwater management is thelast to be incorporated into the site plan.Another consideration in choosing BMPs isthe location of Ocean City. Ocean City isa flat barrier island with 100% urban landuse, and all of the storm drains empty intothe Coastal Bays, not the ocean. The oceanside of the island is very sandy; however,the bay side is man-made land, usingdredge material. Soil infiltration rates,A summer thundershower floods the Coastal Highwayin Ocean City. Sitting only a few feet above sea level,Ocean City floods frequently, especially when rainevents occur at high tide.Gail BlazerMaryland Department of NaturalResources (DNR) and MDE have developedstormwater management proceduresfor Ocean City. MDE requires waterquality volume treatment and DNRrequires proof of pollutant reductionand habitat enhancement. Therefore,best management practices (BMPs)must be utilized on new developmentand redevelopment projects to meetthe intent of both regulations. The MDEstormwater regulations start at lots 460 m2(5,000 ft2) in size and DNR’s regulationsaffect anything over 23 m2 (250 ft2)A stormdrain lies under nine inches of water indowntown Ocean City during a nor’easter storm inFebruary, 1998.Dave Wilson112

Chapter 6 • isle of wight bayTown of Ocean Cityisle of wight bayPervious pavers used in a parking lot in Ocean City. These pavers are used to reduce impervious surface and act as aninfiltration trench.Town of Ocean CityTown of Ocean CityBioretention in an urban environment. Bioretentionutilizes soils and plants to remove pollutants fromstormwater runoff.One way to reduce impervious surface is to havedriveway tracks, instead of paving the whole surface.VehicleexhaustPowerplantsTire andvehicleparts wearVehicleoil, grease& fuelRoadsurfaces &de-icing saltsHousehold,lawn, & gardenchemicalsLead • • • • •Zinc • • • •Arsenic•Copper • •Cadmium • • •Chromium • •Nickel • • • •Manganese • •Mercury • • •Iron•Cyanide•Nitrogen &phosphorus• • •Common pollutants and their sources. Many of these pollutants can be found in stormwater runoff.113

shifting sandsproperty slope, groundwater elevation,and other site requirements have to beconsidered in stormwater managementdesign. Designers are encouraged toutilize pervious paving techniques tojointly meet parking and stormwaterrequirements, and include bioretentiontechniques in landscaping plans to meetlandscaping requirements.With this in mind, the followingare the BMPs from the 2000 MarylandStormwater Design Manual that are viablein Ocean City:2• Infiltration:• Exfiltration trench (minimum twofeet clearance to water table).• Pervious pavers can be designed asan infiltration trench.• Bioretention (as infiltration).• Filters:• Bioretention.• Sand filters.• Non-structural techniques:• Disconnection of rooftop runoff:• Swales, raingardens, and otherlandscaped areas.• Disconnection of non-rooftoprunoff:• Direct flow from impervioussurfaces to swales/bioretentionareas, etc.• Maximum impervious surfacerequirements.• Pervious paver, pervious deckdesign, pervious sidewalks,pervious concrete, and asphalt.• Ponds/wetlands:• Pocket ponds and wetlands.Featuresof Isle of Wight Bay& its watershedIsle of Wight Bay and its watershed arethe most heavily used of the Coastal Bays.Bounded on the east by densely developedOcean City, it is also bounded on the westby very dense residential development.The north boundary is Route 90 withtwo in-line bridge spans leading from themainland to Cape Isle of Wight and thento north Ocean City. The south boundaryjane thomasUnlike the southern bays, seagrass distribution is relatively stable in Isle of Wight Bay.114

Chapter 6 • isle of wight bayis the Route 50 bridge, bringing traffic intosouth Ocean City.Flowing into Isle of Wight Bay arewaters from Herring Creek, Turville Creek,and St. Martin River, all with increasingresidential development.Skimmer Island is a haven for birdsJust north of the Route 50 bridge isSkimmer Island, a protected sanctuaryfor skimmers, ibis, egrets, herons, andterns. The shallows north and west ofthe island are reserved for recreationalclamming. Commercial and recreationalcrabbing and clamming are also activein the bay. For more information, seeChapter 14—Diversity of Life in theCoastal Bays.Isle of Wight Wildlife ManagementArea has been restoredBetween the spans of the Route 90 bridgeis the Isle of Wight Wildlife ManagementArea, a restored, county-owned parkarea where 4 ha (10 acres) of salt marshwere created and where the publiccan enjoy a beautiful view in a naturalsetting. For more information, seeChapter 3—Management of the CoastalBays & Watershed.From the bridge, anglers drop linesall day and even most of the night whenrockfish prowl the water for baitfish. Jetskis buzz between anglers and add to thefray with stops at Ocean City’s numerousbayside bars and restaurants. Waterskiingis also popular in Herring and TurvilleCreeks where ‘weekend warriors’ competefor water space with residents from CapeIsle of Wight, the Riddle Farm, and OceanPines—all on the bay’s western side. Partyfishing boats and scenic tours help add tothe bay’s multi-million-dollar contributionto the local economy.Seagrass is expandingin Isle of Wight BaySeagrasses have been increasing theirdistribution in Isle of Wight Bay. Inspite of the many activities and growth,seagrasses have remained stable orincreased in the bay; however, they stillremain well below their potential in Isleof Wight Bay. For more information, seeChapter 15—Habitats of the Coastal Bays &Watershed.•isle of wight bayIsle of Wight Bayis a tourist destinationTourism in Isle of Wight Bay is bigbusiness. With some 300,000 weekendvisitors to its eastern flank, the bay hostsrecreational interests of all varieties fromOcean City. Personal watercraft, powerand sail boats, kayaks, and canoes frequentthe bay with users being both visitingtourists and residents. Near the Route50 bridge and along the thoroughfare,hundreds of boaters ply the bay forflounder, sea trout, and rockfish duringthe busy June–September tourist season.Isle of Wight Bay is where most of thefishing in the Coastal Bays occurs.115

shifting sandsAcknowledgementsThe authors would like to thank CathyWazniak from the Maryland Departmentof Natural Resources for her commentshelpful in the completion of this chapter.ReferencesImpervious Surface as a Test Case. Chesapeake BayFinfish/Habitat Investigations 2006, F-61-R-1, Project 3.Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Annapolis,Maryland.14. Worcester County Department of ComprehensivePlanning. 2006. Worcester County, MarylandComprehensive Plan. http://www.co.worcester.md.us/compplan.htm1. Beach, D. 2002. Coastal Sprawl: The Effects of UrbanDesign on Aquatic Ecosystems in the United States. PewOceans Commission, Arlington, Virginia.2. Center for Watershed Protection & MarylandDepartment of the Environment. 2000. MarylandStormwater Design Manual, Volumes I & II.3. Chaillou, J.C., S.B. Weisberg, F.W. Kutz, T.E. DeMoss,L. Mangiaracina, R. Magnien, R. Eskin, J. Maxted,K. Price, & J.K. Summers. 1996. Assessment of theEcological Condition of the Delaware & Maryland CoastalBays. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Officeof Research & Development, Washington, D.C. 20460EPA/620/R-96/004.4. Holland, A.F., D.M. Sanger, C.P. Gawle, S.B. Lerberg,M.S. Santiago, G.H.M. Riekerk, L.E. Zimmerman, &G.I. Scott. 2004. Linkages between tidal creek ecosystems& the landscape & demographic attributes of theirwatersheds. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology &Ecology 298: 151–178.5. King, R.S., J.R. Beaman, D.F. Whigham, A.H. Hines,M.E. Baker, & D.E. Weller. 2004. Watershed land use isstrongly linked to PCBs in white perch in ChesapeakeBay subestuaries. Environmental Science & Technology 38:6546-6552.6. Maryland Coastal Bays Program, Navigation & DredgingAdvisory Group. Unpublished data.7. Maryland Department of the Environment. 2004. PriorityAreas for Wetland Restoration, Preservation, & Mitigationin Maryland’s Coastal Bays. Wetlands & WaterwaysProgram. Baltimore, Maryland.8. Maryland Department of the Environment. 2006.Prioritizing Sites for Wetland Restoration, Mitigation, &Preservation in Maryland. Baltimore, Maryland.9. Maryland Department of Natural Resources. 2004.Nontidal Wetlands of Special State Concern of Five CentralMaryland Counties & Coastal Bay Area of WorcesterCounty, Maryland. Maryland Department of NaturalResources, Natural Heritage Program, Annapolis,Maryland. Prepared for Maryland Department of theEnvironment.10. Maryland Department of Natural Resources.Unpublished data.11. Schueler, T.R., & H.K. Holland. 2000. The Practice ofWatershed Protection. Center for Watershed Protection,Ellicott City, Maryland.12. Tiner, R., M. Starr, H. Bergquist, & J. Swords. 2000.Watershed-based Wetland Characterization for Maryland’sNanticoke River & Coastal Bays Watersheds: A PreliminaryAssessment Report. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, NationalWetlands Inventory Program, Northeast Region, Hadley,Massachusetts. Prepared for the Maryland Department ofNatural Resources, Coastal Zone Management Program(pursuant to NOAA award). Technical report.13. Uphoff, J., M. McGinty, R. Lukacovic, J. Mowrer, &B. Pyle. 2007. Development of Habitat Based ReferencePoints for Chesapeake Bay Fishes of Special Concern:116