Page 19 - Armed Forces Directory - Aberdeen Proving Ground

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

• APG completed the construction of a submerged gravel wetland that treats
more than 35 acres of urban land. The best management practice was retrofitted
from an existing dry pond to a submerged gravel wetland. The practice was
selected based on site characteristics and the need for increased nutrient
removal. Since the wetland was completed, inspectors have noted wildlife,
including deer, blue herons, and frogs, congregating around the pond.

• In cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey, APG assessed sea level rise
and storm effects on wetlands and low-lying areas for climate preparedness
and resilience. The installation installed six surface elevation tables to measure
changes in water level. The data was utilized to provide more accurate
estimates of potential sea level rise. The installation would also undertake
further monitoring with sensors mounted to pre-installed brackets to assess
the time, extent, and magnitude of storm surge during extreme weather.
• APG conducted surveys of northern long-eared bats across the installation’s
40,000 acres as part of the INRMP. The northern long-eared bat is federally
listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.
• APG protected more than 2,146 acres of forest, agricultural land, wetlands, and
shorelines through the REPI. The protection of this land limits development
within the installation’s high operational noise area, supporting mission
and Chesapeake Bay restoration goals. Additional benefits of this land
conservation include the protection of bald eagle habitat, Maryland Critical
Areas, forests, and wetlands.
• APG conserved more than 400 acres of land by leveraging REPI and local
partner resources. While REPI provided $895,000 to fund these easements,
the installation partners, including Harford County, Harford Land Trust,
and Maryland’s Program Open Space, provided $9.8 million toward these
conservation efforts. The conserved land includes culturally significant
landscapes, forested shorelines along the Chesapeake Bay, and forest interior
dwelling species habitats. This land will also remove 206 development right
options from the installation’s operational noise corridors.

APG continues to implement environmental stewardship practices in support of
the battle against climate change. The 2024 Chesapeake Bay Strategy lays out
concrete goals to work toward and APG eagerly accepts the challenge:

1. Contribute to restoring and sustaining the water quality of the Chesapeake
Bay and its tributaries.

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