When finished, about half the site would be uplands, and half wetlands. Because the cells would be completed incrementally, some of the island would be available as habitat before the entire project was complete. In the final stages, openings would be cut in the dike to allow water to flow back and forth between the island and the Bay. Most of the dike would remain in place to prevent the restored island from once again eroding into the Bay. Overall, the project would restore nearly 2 square miles of diverse habitats that could be used by species throughout the entire Bay food chain, from microscopic phytoplankton and zooplankton to fish and crabs to herons and bald eagles.
Poplar Island is also critical to Maryland shipping.
The state needs Poplar Island to ensure there are enough placement sites to meet dredging needs for the Port of Baltimore in coming years. The port handles about 40 million tons of commerce a year, and generates 87,000 jobs. Economic activity related directly or indirectly to the port represents 10 percent of Maryland's entire economy, and dredging is critical to its survival. The dredge material that will be sent to Poplar Island each year accounts for a large chunk of port's disposal needs. Baltimore has 126 miles of shipping lanes to maintain, more than any other port in the nation.