The Benefits of Hart Miller Island

The Hart Miller Island has community, enviromental, and economical benefits. Community wise, it has beach, boardwalks, observation tower, and most of all wildlife observation oppertunity. Enviromental and economically the Island has had a substiantial role. The Island is a key place for wildlife sanctuary, which has attracted more than 280 types of species only in the south cell. It has also perserved, restored, and created an essential island habitat for willdlife; it also provides enviromental study oppertunities for those that are interested. Economically, it has kept uninterrupted operation for the Boltimore Harbor, which contributes more than three and half billion dollars to the region.

Heart Miller Island

Heart Miller Island was designed as a facility to process and place dredge material removed from the shipping channel of the Chesapeake Bay. The material is removed from the bottom of the bay and placed on barges. the barges transfer the material to Heart Miller Island where it is pumped using pressurized water to specific points on the island. DNR began this project in 1981 when Heart Island and Miller Island were connected with a sandy beach. At this time the dikes were built around the 1x2 mile area that is the island today. The dikes were raised to 28 feet in 1988 and then to 44 feet in 1997. The South Cell is approximately 290 acres and contains 16 million cubic yards of dredge material. Today this cell no longer receives dredge material and is currently a self sustaining habitat for many species. The North Cell is approximately 750 acres and has a capacity of100 million cubic yards.

The boat ride back

Mohammad Rustam was trying to highjack the boat.

Water Test Point 3

The Third Water Test Point was at the dock. This water was used as a guide to determine the quality of the water in the bay.

Recreational Area

This is the are that was filled in with sand to connect Heart and Miller Islands. Water breaks were installed to prevent the tide from eroding the beach. The state park provides camping and recreation, as well as fishing and crabbing. If you have a boat you can come and enjoy the scenic views and relax. The observation tower is now useless since the dike wall were raised to 44 feet in 1997.

Water Test Point 2

This is where the original part of Miller Island can still be seen. this is also one of the spillways where water samples are taken to determine whether the water is at acceptable levels for the return to the bay.

The Transfer Station

This is the dredge material transfer station. The material is pumped using highly pressurized water. The material travels through pipes which are located all throughout the island. Opening certain saddle valves moves the material to the desired location.

the Development of Heart Miller Island

This is a progress map of the development of the island. the north cell is seen as slowly being filled with dredge material. The fishbone pattern on the map is the result of trenches being dug to drain excess water from the dredge material.

Water Test Point 1

The South Cell is home to over 280 species of birds that have been observed here since 1977. This is also the first test point of water quality. The water is tested for suspended solids, ph level, temperature, and salinity before it is released into the bay.
The red wing is a commonly seen bird at Heart Miller Island, the mud flats and pond water in the South Cell provide a habitat to many species of birds.

Barges

These are the barges that bring in dredge material to the Island.

View of the North Cell

This is the view of the north cell it is 750 acres that is not yet filled in. This project will be finished in 2009. They are at 85% capacity at the current time.

Reservoir

This reservoir is used to hold extra water in case drought depletes the water level on the island, this water can be pumped into the areas that require it.

The man made islands were installed for the species of birds that nest in ares surrounded by a body of water.

South Cell

The South Cell is 290 acres and it has been finished. They no longer add dredge material and the habitat is flourishing. the air boats are used to spray the invasive grasses with herbicides.

Fox Dens

The South Cell provides a habitat for foxes.

The Boat Trip to Heart Miller Island

this was our boat trip to get to the Island. Heart Miller Island is owned by Maryland Port Administration and operated by Maryland Environmental Services.