Avoid Barren Island and James Island Construction Safety Zones
As part of the Mid-Chesapeake Bay Island Ecosystem Restoration Project (Mid-Bay Project), construction is underway at Barren and James Islands to restore habitat using dredged material. The surrounding areas at both islands will have increased barge and vessel activity and active construction above and below the water.
To help protect water users, including boaters and vessels, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has created Construction Safety Zones around the islands and has marked active construction areas with buoys. For your safety and the safety of construction crews, please avoid entering the Safety Zones shown below and follow all USACE guidance and posted navigational markers. Boaters who enter the Construction Safety Zones do so at their own risk. Underwater construction activities in this area may cause damage to vessels as well as boating and fishing equipment.
Barren Island Safety Zone Information
Barren Island Safety Announcement
Download GPS Coordinates for
Barren Island Safety Zone
James Island Safety Zone Information
James Island Safety Announcement
Download GPS Coordinates for
James Island Safety Zone
In case of emergencies, please contact the US Coast Guard at VHF-FM Channel 16 or dial 911. Construction vessels are monitoring VHF-FM Channels 13, 16, and 18.
Dredged Material at Work in the Chesapeake Bay
If you spend time boating on the Chesapeake Bay, you may be familiar with sites like Poplar Island in Talbot County or Hart-Miller Island in Baltimore County. Once badly eroded, these islands have been restored by the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) working in partnership with USACE using material dredged from shipping channels.
The restored island, wetland, and underwater habitats at these islands are now havens for wildlife and migratory bird populations. The dredged material comes from regular maintenance work to keep channels open for modern cargo ships to safely do business in the Port of Baltimore.
Learn more about how MPA maintains shipping channels with dredging.
Islands are Being Restored!
The Mid-Bay Project will restore two more islands in Dorchester County:
- Barren Island, near Upper Hoopers Island using dredged material from the Honga River Channel; and
- James Island, near Taylors Island, using dredged material from the Maryland Chesapeake Bay Approach Channels.
Project partners carefully considered 105 potential island sites in Maryland, and ultimately selected James and Barren Islands for restoration based on environmental and engineering factors, ecosystem benefit, and cost-effectiveness.
When complete, the Mid-Bay Project will restore over 2,100 acres of land and wetlands, protecting seagrass beds, and enhancing habitat that supports both recreational and commercial fishing and other wildlife.
Learn more about the benefits
the Mid-Bay Project delivers
Learn more about this project and
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Questions? Contact ecoport@marylandports.com
In case of emergencies, please contact the US Coast Guard at VHF-FM Channel 16 or dial 911. Construction vessels are monitoring VHF-FM Channels 13, 16, and 18.