OCEAN CITY, MD — U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee of the Environment and Public Works Committee, today visited Skimmer Island for a briefing about efforts to use dredge material to replenish the eroding island and create important nesting habitat for black skimmers and royal terns.

In 2009, Skimmer Island had shrunk to 2.5 acres, almost a third of its size.  The erosion threatened the island’s nesting habitat for black skimmers and royal terns, which are both on the state’s endangered species list. In 2010, Senator Cardin helped coordinate efforts among the Army Corps of Engineers, the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Maryland Department of Natural resources to restore the island to its natural size using dredge material. 

“Skimmer Island is a success story. It illustrates how government action can restore an important wildlife habitat, helping to support the nesting habitat of the black skimmer and royal tern,” said Senator Cardin.  “This effort has been a real partnership and I commend everyone who has made it a reality.”

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