Nature and Land BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEMS
Biodiversity – the variety of different forms of life – is critical to well-functioning ecosystems by providing species with diverse habitats and environments. Society, communities, and the economy depend on biodiversity and ecosystems to provide essential resources, including suitable land to grow food, pollinate crops, and maintain clean water. Management of Biodiversity and Ecosystems The MDTA is committed to sustainable development; environmental compliance; stewardship; continuous improvement in environmental performance; and effective interaction with its employees, other government agencies, and the community on biodiversity and ecosystem protection. Through policies that foster environmental protection and stewardship, the MDTA reinforces practices that are essential to its overall operations. I-95 Northbound/Southbound Fort McHenry Tunnel (FMT) Pollinator Habitat Projects In June 2024, the MDTA designated two locations, totaling 0.3 acres, within the plaza area of the FMT to provide diverse plantings that support pollinator habitat. The goal of the MDOT-MDTA Pollinator Habitat Plan is to enhance habitat areas for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators by planting native flowering plants that provide nectar, pollen, and reproductive habitat for pollinators. These habitats are located along I-95 Northbound and Southbound ramps. The MDTA developed a custom pollinator meadow seed mix to account for difficult conditions. Additional pollinator habitat projects are being investigated at the former toll plaza area along I-95 in Cecil County, Maryland, and currently the MDTA is using GIS to evaluate additional areas to establish pollinator habitats. LAND USE AND NATURAL RESOURCES Development of any kind requires the use of land and natural resources. The MDTA uses land primarily in the construction and maintenance of roads and facilities. Management of Land Use and Natural Resources When undertaking projects, the MDTA’s first course of action is to avoid and minimize impacts to sensitive natural resources such as forests, wetlands, and streams as much as possible while still achieving the transportation goals and objectives of its projects. The MDTA performs mitigation for unavoidable impacts within project limits or on the MDTA right-of-way wherever possible; however, some cases require off-site mitigation. The MDTA’s use of land is regulated tightly under the 1992 Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Conservation Act, which aims to minimize the loss of forest land from development and ensure that priority areas for forest retention and forest planting are identified and protected prior to development. As a result, the MDTA is required to conduct reforestation where it has cleared trees.
Facility Maintenance Best Practices and Management The MDTA implemented new goals in fiscal year 2024 for maintaining stormwater and landscape areas along the right- of-way. The primary objective of these goals is to promote stewardship of green assets with effective operation and maintenance procedures. The MDTA’s Natural Resource group, which includes the Office of Engineering and Construction as well as consultants specializing in natural resource management, conducted training courses with each facility operations group to educate employees on proposed implementations. Implementations included a reduced need for mowing, incorporating more naturalized areas, simplifying maintenance needs, and eliminating buffer strips. The MDTA continues to maintain compliance with training requirements for permitting and is reinforcing and updating operations on current best practices. Employee trainings also cover use of herbicides and pesticides and identification of native and non-native species. These trainings help ensure MDTA employees who maintain outdoor areas protect naturalized and reforested locations. Invasive Species Control and Maintenance Invasive species are a major threat to ecosystems and economies. To combat them, the MDTA’s land managers use a variety of control methods that can include mechanical, like mowing; chemical, involving herbicides; or biological, introducing natural predators. Additionally, prescribed burns or strategic replanting with native species are utilized to control invasive plants. The most effective strategies often combine multiple methods and controls and prioritize preventing the spread of new invaders. Invasive species can be either native or non- native species—native species are those that evolve naturally in an ecosystem. Poison ivy and fox grape are species native to Maryland but considered invasive because they overtake an ecosystem and imperil safety and maintenance on our roadways.
Environmental, Social, and Governance Report 16
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