At Risk: Araby Bog, Charles County
The Araby bog is a magnolia bog of unusual size and quality. Its estimated size is about 6.5 acres. Large magnolia bogs of this kind are a recognizable habitat that occur only in a limited range of the mid-Atlantic.
This wetland is currently threatened by the construction of two subdivisions - one called Falcon Ridge (117.3 acres) and the other called Hunters Brooke (191.07 acres).
Araby Bog sits directly between these two subdivisions and any development will have an adverse effect on the bog. The hydrology that sustains the bog would be significantly degraded by the two subdivisions. Any amount of runoff from impervious areas would dilute the acidic water conditions that allows this bog to flourish.
These two subdivisions are being designed as a single development with common sewer lines, water supplies, and interconnected roads. However, for the purposes of wetland impacts, the builders are filing separate permits. This will seriously compromise the overall evaluation of subdivision construction.
For more information, please read the articles below:
- Fall-Line Magnolia Bogs of the Mid-Atlantic Region, article about fall-line bogs in general
- Mire Beware, article about the recent arsons at Hunters Brooke, and the history of the permitting process for constructing the two housing developments near a senstive wetland
- Map of the Araby Bog Area
- Description of the Bog
- Save Araby Bog Web Site
- Araby Bog (PDF, ~64KB), a brief description of the bog along with species found at the site.
- What you can do to help save Araby Bog
© Maryland Native Plant Society. Last updated: February 16, 2009.