![]() The island has a land area of 24.4 square miles (63 km 2) and has no resident population in either Maryland or Virginia, though a few retained property rights until 2006. Most of the water around the island is within the boundaries of the national seashore. The state park is the most developed area on the island with 350 campsites. Īssateague State Park comprises almost 800 acres (3.2 km 2) and lies in Maryland within the National Seashore. Summer months are known for heavy mosquito populations, particularly on the bay side. Kayak touring is a popular way to see the wildlife, especially on the calmer bay side. Pets are prohibited in all areas except certain parts of the National Seashore and parts of the state park. There is no camping available from the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Backcountry sites are also available from the National Seashore. Car camping sites are available in both the National Seashore and Assateague State Park by reservation. The National Park Service allows off-road vehicles with permits in certain areas. Geological Survey has initiated studies aimed at mitigating the potential sea-level rise on this barrier island complex. The Refuge was established in 1943 to provide habitat for migratory birds, primarily snow geese. The national seashore was established in 1965 to preserve the barrier island and surrounding waters, and provide recreational opportunities.Īll of the island south of the state border in Virginia is the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, with the exception of a one-mile stretch of land including the recreational beach and interpretive facilities managed by the NPS. All of the land on the island north of the Maryland-Virginia state line is the Assateague Island National Seashore, with the exception of the smaller Assateague State Park. The entirety of Assateague Island is owned and operated by three different agencies: the NPS, Maryland State Parks, and United States Fish and Wildlife Service. After Congressional efforts did not produce final legislation in 1964, new legislation in 1965 was successful and Assateague Island National Seashore was formed. Although some private landowners on the island supported re-development, by this time the state of Maryland generally supported a national seashore and legislation was introduced in the United States Congress. The Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 destroyed or covered most of Baltimore Boulevard, and many of the structures on the island were destroyed. ![]() In 1950, a 15-mile section of the Maryland side of Assateague was plotted for development, and a paved road, Baltimore Boulevard, was constructed to traverse the new development. federal government interest in creating a national seashore on the island alternated with periodic pushes for development. While this process has benefitted Ocean City, creating wider beaches and better fishing access, it caused erosion problems on Assateague. As a result, the island has drifted considerably westward, and the two landmasses are now over 0.62 miles (1.00 km) apart. However, after the storm, between 19, a permanent system of artificial jetties was built to preserve the inlet as a navigation channel. ![]() Normally, it would have silted back due to the littoral drift that ran from north to south. ![]() However, the 1933 Chesapeake–Potomac hurricane created an inlet south of Ocean City, Maryland. The island was once connected to the southern end of Fenwick Island. The structure of barrier islands is determined by movement of sand in the littoral zone, the portion of the ocean closest to the seaward side of the island. Like all barrier islands, Assateague has changed in form over the years. Bridge access for cars is possible from both Maryland and Virginia, though no road runs the full north/south length of the island. The island also contains numerous marshes, bays, and coves, including Toms Cove. It is best known for its herds of feral horses, pristine beaches and the Assateague Lighthouse. The Virginia section contains Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and a one-mile stretch of land containing the lifeguarded recreational beach and interpretive facilities managed by the National Park Service (or NPS). The Maryland section contains the majority of Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague State Park. The northern two-thirds of the island is in Maryland, and the southern third is in Virginia. Assateague stallion Horses play near an Assateague Island campsite Assateague Lighthouse in 2001Īssateague Island is a 37-mile (60 km) long barrier island located off the eastern coast of the Delmarva Peninsula facing the Atlantic Ocean. ![]()
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