Ten Mile Creek Deserves Protection

MCA Partner, Audubon Naturalist Society, has been working hard to ensure that future land use does not jeopardize the quality of County treasure Ten Mile Creek.  MCA was alerted this  spring that Brown Trout were spotted by an ANS member near a Reserve rustic road.  Armed with video camera, staff and volunteer Global Ecology students set out to document the species.  The stream was clear and cold on the overcast afternoon.  First, nothing and then…in shallow fast running water…there they were:  8-10 beautiful Brown Trout.  As quickly as we spotted them, they shot upstream and were gone.  No time to even attempt to film.  A local wildlife biologist explained that the trout are very wary of people.  No kidding. We will keep trying to capture them – just a bit more stealthily.   Their presence in the stream says much about the quality of the water and why it is crucial to protect it.  The County should not develop its huge bus depot near this stream.  The County should re-evaluate Clarksburg Stage 4 buildout and trim the density back.   For actions needed see this Audubon fact sheet authored by Diane Camerson.