Make Way for Turtles: ICC Construction to Include Box Turtle Relocation
Delicious Reddit

SEPTEMBER 12, 2007
By Press Release

As the Maryland State Highway Administration prepares to break ground on the Inter-County Connector, the box turtles living in the path of the proposed highway may be getting a break.
"The Maryland State Highway Administration is doing the right thing by adopting at least some of the recommendations of the ICC Box Turtle Advisory Group (BTAG) and will attempt to move turtles out of harm's way," said Chris Swarth, a member of the BTAG and director of the Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary. The BTAG is comprised of representatives of federal, state, Montgomery County, and local governments as well as non-profit organizations.
Earlier this week, the SHA proposed a program to locate as many box turtles as possible and move them out of the ICC right-of-way beginning later this month. Unless two lawsuits filed against the ICC are successful in slowing or halting its construction, tree removal and grading are expected to begin late this year.
"The Humane Society of the United States has for decades opposed this highway because it is an unnecessary environmental nightmare," according to Susan Hagood, HSUS wildlife issues specialist. "This highway poses a threat to local wildlife, in particular the animals that cannot get out of the path of destruction and will be killed as they attempt to cross the new road. Box turtles are especially vulnerable, and I'm glad to see that highway officials realize that they should take steps to try to save these vulnerable animals."
Wild animals, including box turtles, do not adapt well to being moved to new habitats. However, the alternative is certain death. The BTAG is urging the SHA to fund a study to determine the fate of the relocated turtles. The data could be used by highway agencies around the world to minimize the impact of road construction on wildlife populations. "This is a species destined for listing as threatened or endangered if we continue to allow such wholesale destruction of populations," said Sandy Barnett, a member of the BTAG.
Box turtles require years to reach maturity, produce very few eggs and have high egg and hatchling mortality rates. Long-term studies of the eastern box turtle have concluded that this species is in decline, and they are currently on the Maryland State List of Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
For more information on humane wildlife conflict resolution please visit humanesociety.org/humanesolutions.