Keep government out of Mallows Bay

Regarding the proposed Mallows Bay National Marine Sanctuary. First, let’s recognize that the “historic” tag is not necessarily historic. The abandoned ships in question never saw duty. They never navigated the seas or protected our nation from enemies. They were considered trash, stripped of anything valuable, dumped and burned at Mallows Bay.

Over the years, without help from government designations, nature has made lemonade out of our lemons. The site is lovely. One’s imagination could call them ghost ships. Now what nature has accomplished the government wants to control under the guise of protection.

Our Southern Maryland fishing industry and private land owners have been assured they will not be affected. How many times have we heard that from our government. They also point out that these designations will be updated every five years. So rules could be put into effect in the future that do affect our area.

Perhaps the original 18 square mile nomination could be considered but the additional “land and water grab” of 52 and 100 square mile boundaries is absolutely unnecessary to protect what nature has built.

Please let’s let our Charles County officials and our Mar yland state government officials know that for the well-being of our area this over reach should not be allowed.

Joyce Candland, Nanjemoy