Representatives of Harford County Parks and Recreation Department met with members of the Forest Greens-Perryman Community Association and residents of Fords Lane on June 23rd to discuss proposed plans for dredging channels in the Bush River from the railroad bridge to Otter Point and Water's Edge. Department Director Joe Pfaff explained that he and some of his staff will also be meeting this summer with boat owners that use the river to get their input as well.

Bob Lee of the Department explained that before any dredging starts, the bottom sediments to be removed will be sampled and tested to determine what contaminants might be contained in the materials. Julie Johnson, Fords Lane resident, said that this was an important concern for her. If contaminants such as heavy metals or toxins are not a problem, then the County owned former sewage overflow lagoon along Church Creek will be prepared to receive the dredged materials. The site will be designed so that it can be re-vegetated within 2-5 years after dredging is completed, giving it a pleasant appearance as quickly as possible.

Fords Lane residents Ray Goldeck, Bill Halgren and Brownie Pearce expressed concern about construction equipment on the road and the noise and dust of site preparation. Lee said that equipment would be moved over the road only twice, once in and once out, except for construction workers vehicles. Any damage done to the road surface would be repaired. If the project is authorized and permits obtained by January, 2006, Lee said that the site preparation will be completed before October, 2006 so that the river channels can be dredged between Oct 15,2006 and Feb 15,2007.

Harry Webster, FGPCA President, inquired about channel maintenance, and Sepher Baharlou, engineer for Bayland Consultants, said that siltation from the river's tributaries and the sloughing of the sides of the channels will result in the need to re-dredge the channels every 15-25 years. Webster also asked about the source of funding for the project, and was told by Pfaff that the money comes from a portion of the fees collected for Maryland boat registrations designated for waterway improvement. Pfaff also said that if the project is approved individual shoreline owners can pay for the dredging of a spur channel from their dock to the main channel if they so choose.