Development Threats At Patuxent Research Refuge
Patuxent Research Refuge, MD | USFWS
Little brown bats, a species of conservation concern, at Patuxent Research Refuge, MD | USFWS
The Patuxent Research Refuge is the last federally conserved land between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore and the only national wildlife refuge in the United States dedicated specifically to support wildlife research. There are three tracts of land dedicated to different purposes so that all types of visitors may enjoy the wonders of the Patuxent Research Refuge. Hunters, wildlife observers, and fishermen enjoy the North Tract, research is conducted at the Central Tract, and hikers and other visitors frequent the South Tract.
Located near densely populated city and suburban areas, the Patuxent Research Refuge faces constant development pressure from those seeking to privatize and transform the landscape. The most recent pressure comes from a plan to build a Super-Conducting Magnetic Levitation railway (MAGLEV) directly on and around Patuxent Research Refuge’s land.
Impacts on the Refuge
Trumpeter swan at Patuxent Research Refuge, MD | USFWS
If any of the proposed routes within the Draft Environmental Impact Statement become final, the impacts on Patuxent Research Refuge will be severe. During construction, machinery and materials would disrupt vital habitats, cause noise pollution, put surface water at risk, and cause soil erosion on and around this special place.
Once the railway is finished, noise pollution from the train moving from below to above ground would disrupt threatened and endangered species across the national wildlife refuge, and cause habitat fragmentation near the western boundary of Patuxent Research Refuge.
Most importantly, the construction of MAGLEV would be a direct transfer of federally protected land to a private corporation. This loss of protection for valuable habitat would result in a loss of economic input from Patuxent, enjoyment of visitors, and the evaporation of ecosystem services that the Patuxent Research Refuge provides.
Visiting photographers use bird blind at Patuxent Research Refuge, MD | USFWS
As the last federally protected land in the area, there is nothing to justify the cost of building MAGLEV through Patuxent Research Refuge.
The National Wildlife Refuge Association stands with the Friends of Patuxent and numerous other organizations in support of the “no-build” option for the MAGLEV project. The cost is too high and we will pressure Baltimore-Washington Rapid Rail, The Federal Railroad Administration, and the Maryland Transit Administration to reconsider this project.
Other Resources
The proposed Super-Conducting Magnetic Levitation railway is a very bad idea for all of our natural resources. Instead of handing over the last remaining federally conserved land between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore to a private corporation, we should be focusing on restoring and building on our natural areas, which provide wildlife habitat, clean water and lands for hiking, hunting and wildlife watching.