This report will support the designation process for the proposed National Marine
Sanctuary in Mallows Bay Potomac River. A study area profile includes a
characterization of the area where the social and economic impacts of resource use take
place and an overview of what is currently known about the uses of the natural and
cultural resources that exist within the study area. For this application, there are three
alternatives being considered and one is sanctuary management’s preferred alternative.
The preferred alternative, Alternative C, includes the primary counties of Charles County,
MD, Stafford County, Prince William County and King George County, VA. The
secondary counties and cities being analyzed are the District of Columbia, Prince
George’s County, MD, Fairfax County, Fredericksburg City, Arlington County, Loudoun
County, Alexandria City, Fairfax City, and Manassas City, VA. The other alternatives
also referred to as study area B and D are also included in the analysis. Study areas
consider where the economic and social impacts take place. This report looks at the
population measurements, demographic profiles and economic profiles of each study area
in comparison to the state of Maryland, Virginia and the U.S. Both Maryland and
Virginia are included in the report for comparison purposes due to the location of
Mallows Bay Potomac River being adjacent to both states’ shorelines. For the overview
of the uses of the natural and cultural resources within each study area, information was
obtained from the states’ outdoor recreation plans. Although county and study area
specific information was not available for recreation and tourist use of the natural and
cultural resources of the study areas, information was obtained from a state-wide study
that contains estimates of participation by recreation activity and the trends in those
activities. This will aid future researchers in filling gaps in information for the study
areas.
Keywords
Mallows Bay, Potomac River, Sanctuary, Population, Population Density, Population
Growth, Population Density, Per Capita Income, Unemployment, Unemployment Rate,
Gender, Race/Ethnicity, Age, Labor Force, Personal Income, Employment, Proprietors
Income, Proprietors Employment, Personal Income, Personal Income by Industry,
Employment by Industry, Economic impact of tourism, state recreation areas, beaches,
maritime attractions.