Wetland Deliniation Report for Hancock, MD

Kroger, Sarah

The NPS is proposing to enhance the visitor experience at Hancock, Maryland (Park Mile 122.12 to 124.59). This would enable the park to better interpret the canal through interpretive programs and historic preservation of original canal structures. The National Park Service (NPS) at the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal National Historical Park (NHP) is located along the Potomac River in Washington County, Maryland. At this site, the NPS is proposing to enhance the visitor experience at Hancock, Maryland. This would enable the park to better interpret the canal through interpretive programs and historic preservation of original canal structures. The project area begins at park Mile 122.12 and ends at park Mile 124.59. This area includes Locks 51 and 52, the Bowles (Little) Farm, the Tonoloway Aqueduct, canal prism, canal boat basin, Little Tonoloway Picnic Area, as well as the Little Tonoloway Boat Ramp. From 20 through 22 July 2010, EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc. (EA) delineated all natural and artificial wetlands in the project area according to the guidance in NPS DO #77-1 without regard to regulatory jurisdiction. Wetlands were identified in accordance with the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual (USACE 1987) and in conjunction with USFWS’s Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States (Report FWS/OBS-79/31); (Cowardin et al. 1979). The area that was surveyed for wetlands included the canal prism on both sides of the canal from park Mile 122.12 to 124.59 (approximately a 100 ft wide corridor) which included: the shoreline of the Potomac River, the Tonoloway Boat Ramp and Picnic Area east to the Old 522 Bridge, and the canal prism on both sides of the canal from Lock 51 east to Culvert 174. A total of 11 wetlands and/or stream channels (wetlands A through L) were identified and flagged during the survey. In general, wetlands at the site are located along the Potomac River, along tributaries to the Potomac River, and within the historic C&O Canal; two small stream channels were also mapped that did not have associated wetlands beyond the channels. The majority of the wetlands at the site are forested wetlands with a mature tree canopy. A terrestrial plant survey was conducted within this same project area in June 2010. It is noteworthy to mention that during the June 2010 plant survey and July 2010 wetland survey, a total of 8 wood turtles were observed in wetland areas mapped within the historic C&O Canal. The wood turtle is listed by Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Natural Heritage as a G4/S4 species, or apparently secure in Maryland. This July 2010 wetland survey mapped a total of 6.6 acres of wetlands within the study area.

Wetland Deliniation Report for Hancock, MD

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