Tuesday, September 26, 2017

LEWES BEACH SALT MARSH


HISTORIC LEWES MARSHES

TO FILL OR NOT TO FILL

According to Dr. James E. Marvil, president of the Lewes Historical Society, the society

and older Lewes citizens oppose a plan by the Lewes Town Commission Board to fill in the Lewes

Beach historic salt marshes and use the land for a housing development. The Lewes beach belongs

to the Town of Lewes , having been left to the old town by William Penn and his son John for

its general public good and welfare. Today, the town receives land rent for lots occoupied by

buildings and now want additional revenue from buiding lots that would result from filling in the

marsh land between the canal and Cedar Avenue, a considerable acreage.

Plans call for a four lane highway from Market Street to Roosevelt Road's and a bridge

across the canal at New Road.

A prime consideration is the value of the marshes as a wildlife refuge where thousands of

migatory shore birds nest . The open reaches permit the bay breezes which also allow for cooling

of the town during summer heat. Dr. Marvil insist there are plenty lots avlilable near the ferry

docks and the area now used as a city dump which is higher ground.


Source: Salisbury Daily Times , February 3, 1967, Salisbury, Maryland

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