The Annapolis Yacht Club is going green and the Conservancy is pleased to be a partner with the Club in this initiative.
The Club has a number of environmental initiatives underway, and it kicked off its public action in this area by declaring a volunteer work day to remove unsightly litter from the State Highway Administration right of way under the Spa Creek Bridge. The clean up project was conducted jointly with the Conservancy on June 28, 2008.
Annapolis Yacht Club’s property straddles the eastern side of the bridge, but approximately 15 feet on either side belong to the Maryland State Highway Administration. That area is a mini living shoreline where native grasses are growing. However, over the course of the years, litter and trash had accumulated.
The Club and the Conservancy issued a joint press release inviting members of the public to the event and they came. Among the 20-30 volunteers were not only AYC members and staff, Conservancy members, but also interested neighbors, volunteers from outside the watershed, Boy Scouts, and a contingent from the nearby Long & Foster office and the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund.
The volunteers divided up into those cleaning up the living shoreline on the north side of the bridge and those removing large, heavy debris from under the bridge on the south side. Invasive species of vines were pulled out so volunteers could get to the litter to collect and dispose of it. Most of the litter consisted of plastic. A small patch of poison ivy remains and will be dealt with by AYC staff.
A large metal grate that had been under the bridge an d very visible by pedestrians was removed. AYC Dockmaster Jim Hyde said it had been there as long as he can remember -- at least since the 1970s! A second metal grate was also removed as was a tree-sized log and a room-sized carpet.
See the photos
A quick phone call to the State Highway Administration a few weeks ago resulted in a surprised thank you from the engineer in charge of Annapolis.
The AYC-Conservancy partnership is the first cooperative project between the two organizations. Last fall yacht club and Conservancy representatives met and agreed to work together to improve the health of the Creek. The yacht club has formed an Environmental Issues Committee that is currently developing a site-wide plan for AYC.
Actions and plans, in addition to the under-the-bridge clean up include:
- AYC has applied for Maryland Clean Marina status. Clean Marina status means that AYC is in compliance with Maryland environmental regulations and has voluntarily exceeded them as recommended by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
- A major recycling effort has begun and, when fully implemented, will make AYC the first food, beverage, office and marina facility in the City to have a full recycling program.
- Rain barrels have been installed under the downspouts that drain onto the asphalt at AYC's sailing center. Rain barrels harvest storm water runoff for use during dry periods and slow the flow of dirty, hot water running off roofs into Spa Creek. Reducing and slowing storm water run off in this way reduces the amount of nutrients and sediments (which are a major cause of decreased Bay water quality) going into Spa Creek.
- AYC will meet with an energy management expert in July to evaluate energy conservation opportunities.
- The Chef is exploring offering sustainable seafood options on the menu.
- AYC is exploring the use of bio-based products in place of disposable plastic plates, cutlery and cups.
Annapolis Yacht Club was founded in 1863 as an informal canoe club. It is now known worldwide as an icon of Annapolis harbor with membership of over 1600 and a very active social and racing program. More information about the Annapolis Yacht Club is available online at www.annapolisyc.com.
Under the Spa Creek Bridge: now litter & debris free.
The Conservancy looks forward to continuing a vigorous working relationship with Annapolis Yacht Club for the good of the Creek.