MDOT Pollinator Management Plan

Maryland DOT 
https://roads.maryland.gov/mdotsha/pages/index.aspx?PageId=344

RELEVANT LEGISLATION/GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS

2016 Pollinator Protection Act of the Maryland General Assembly, § 2-1801 Pollinator Habitat Plan

2017 amendments

2024 Legislative Session amendments through House Bill 22 and Senate Bill 178 detailing the requirements for a Pollinator Protection Plan

U.S. Department of Transportation Pollinator-Friendly Practices on Roadsides and Highway Rights-of-Way Program. 

TIDBITS OF INFORMATION 

"MDOT SHA manages over 50,000 acres of roadside areas outside of the paved surfaces, including forests, meadows, wetlands and waterways."

"MDOT SHA constructed three new pollinator meadow habitats totaling approximately seven acres along the right of way in the spring of 2024 in Anne Arundel, Howard and Queen Anne’s Counties... mowed once per year during the dormant season (November-March) and selectively treated for invasive species..."

"projects to install approximately eight acres of additional pollinator habitat in SHA roadside and medians across the State"

So this is a relatively small effort: 15 of 50,000 acres.

"MDOT SHA right of way provides an opportunity to create networks of pollinator habitats throughout the State. This process begins with mapping existing meadows and identifying gaps in habitat continuity; it aids the creation of connected habitats across the State.

MDOT SHA is investigating and tracking statewide pollinator habitat site development opportunities within the right of way. Sites of interest include areas that can be established as demonstration gardens and pollinator meadows for future pollinator habitat projects."

They want to create connected pollinator habitats. -> Possible project to map meadows using satellite data.

Demonstration Gardens:

Mason Dixon Welcome Center on US 15 in Frederick County
South Mountain Welcome Centers on I-70 (eastbound and westbound) in Frederick County
I-95 Welcome Centers (southbound and northbound) in Howard County
MDOT SHA District 3 Office in Greenbelt
MDOT SHA District 4 Office in Hunt Valley
MDOT SHA District 5 Office in Annapolis
MDOT SHA District 7 Office in Frederick
MDOT SHA Hanover Complex

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