According to its 2018 watershed assessment, Anne Arundel County “recognizes that preservation is a critical factor in Herring Bay.” That conclusion reflects the features of Herring Bay, which include about 7,000 acres of forest that stabilize its wetlands and steep slopes, protect headwater streams, and mitigate damage to local properties from flooding. Since 2005, AHB has encouraged government officials to expand financial and regulatory incentives for conserving Herring Bay’s forests, wetlands, and other green infrastructure, and to ensure effective management of lands within Maryland’s Critical Area.