THE SEVERN RIVER ASSOCIATION
BOX 146 • ANNAPOLIS, MD 21404 • severnriver.org • (443) 926-5924 voicemail
November 1, 2007
Dear Friend of the Severn River,
We need you! You can help the
Severn River Association by renewing your membership, contributing
an additional amount, and making sure your community association
is a member. Help our good work for our watershed, and please
encourage your friends and neighbors to join.
Many of us live here because of our
magnificent River and tributaries, but we're dismayed at assaults
on them – including stormwater runoff, poor development practices,
weak laws and regulations, erratic enforcement, nutrient overload,
biological contamination of swimming waters, mowed lawns down to
river’s edge, lost native vegetation, pollution, and disruptive
boat wakes.
Your annual dues are tax deductible and
go a long way to make the Severn River Watershed a better place to
live. Among accomplishments this past year, the SRA:
- Completed a demonstration project
along the B&A Trail, replacing invasive species such as bamboo
and English ivy with native species;
- Led over 60 volunteers to clean-up
the Jabez Branch and a portion of Saltworks Creek, removing over
8 tons of trash and 300 tires;
- Completed this year's Operation
Clearwater monitoring, determining the levels of biological contamination
in Severn swimming areas
- Won a grant to restore Cypress Branch's
Atlantic White Cedar stand to its historic size; and
- Took other legal &
administrative actions to protect the river.
With your support, the SRA will:
- Promote our top priorities: improve
stormwater management, restore green and forested areas, and
encourage Living Shorelines to protect the waterfront;
- Advocate action to protect the Critical
Areas through improved enforcement, especially including sediment
and erosion regulations;
- Continue Operation Clearwater. This
program has monitored beaches for over 30 years to ensure they
are safe for swimming;
- Lead a clean-up of Indian Creek,
sponsoring a parallel event for schoolchildren;
- Enhance communications through our
web site, newsletter; and public testimony;
- Team with the Arundel Watershed
Coalition of other organizations like ours, to support our priorities
for the Severn River watershed.
The Severn River Association is the
oldest river association in the United States,
comprising 57 community associations in Anne Arundel County. We meet on the third Tuesday of each month
at 7 PM at Calvary United Methodist Church on Rowe Blvd. in Annapolis.
The SRA makes a difference –
and so can you. Please join or renew your membership, and consider
volunteering your time, energy and personal initiative.
Our latest news is always at our web
site severnriver.org and
you can join or renew online.
Sincerely,

Kurt W. Riegel
President, Severn River Association |