Governor Ehrlich Announces BPW Approval of $25,000 in Program Open Space Funds for Montgomery County
Grant will help county assess recreational needs of the future

---

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Emphasizing the import of land management, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today announced Board of Public Works approval of $25,000 in Program Open Space funds for Montgomery County.

“Land management is an essential duty of state and local government,” said Governor Ehrlich. “The quality of life enjoyed by present and future generations of Marylanders depends upon our planning for the future thoughtfully and responsibly.”

The Board is composed of Governor Ehrlich, Comptroller William Donald Schaefer, and Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp.

The Board approved $25,000 in Program Open Space funds to cover the cost of preparing major parts of the Montgomery County 2005 Land Preservation and Recreation Plan, a planning project required by state law. Items to be completed include an assessment of trends in recreation and quantitative recommendations regarding various kinds of recreation facilities.

DNR’s Program Open Space is a nationally recognized program that provides funding for Maryland’s state and local parks and conservation areas. More than 4,600 county and municipal park and conservation projects have been completed through the program, improving the quality of life for millions of Marylanders.

---

April 19, 2005

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 18,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov