Governor Ehrlich Announces BPW Approval of a Land Transfer to Expand the Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery in Allegany County
Rocky Gap State Park provides nearly 12 acres of adjacent land

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ANNAPOLIS, MD — In a prime example Maryland state departments working together toward good government, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today announced Board of Public Works approval of a land transfer from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to the Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) to expand the Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery in Allegany County.

"This land transfer involves two things vital to Maryland: good land management and the preservation of the memory of our veterans,” said Governor Ehrlich. “It gives me great satisfaction to see how this display of interdepartmental cooperation led to our ability to sustain them both for generations to come.”

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

The Board approved the permanent transfer of 11.7 acres from the DNR to the MDVA to expand the Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery, situated on Pleasant Valley Road. Rocky Gap State Park formerly managed the land, which borders the cemetery.

“At DNR we regularly work with other our sister agencies on matters that involve conservation, outdoor recreation, and the protection of our natural resources such as land,” said DNR Secretary C. Ronald Frank.. “In the case of this particular land transfer, we are very pleased to assist Secretary Owings in securing acreage that will be dedicated to honoring our veterans and the sacrifices they made for us.”

MDVA Secretary George W. Owings III had requested the acreage to secure space for future expansion and to serve as a buffer that will preserve the dignity and serenity of the cemetery. These additional acres will be developed for burial sites only after three-quarters of the current 6500 sites are used. It is estimated that this new land will extend the use of the cemetery by at least 50 year

"The Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs is most appreciative of the cooperation it received from the Department of Natural Resources regarding the transfer of land for use by Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery,” said Secretary Owings. “This transfer ensures that ample space will be available in western Maryland for the burial of our veterans well into the future.”

The Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery was established in June 1981 on a 15-acre parcel that could accommodate approximately 6500 burial sites. As of March 31, 2005, the cemetery has conducted 2,342 burials. Burials have increased from 130 to 150 burials each year. Ultimately, today’s land transfer will save the State of Maryland the cost of building a new cemetery.

Since assuming office, the Ehrlich Administration and its partners have invested more than $64 million to protect over 31,000 acres of land to help restore the Bay and its surrounding environment. With nearly one in every five acres permanently protected in Maryland, the state remains a national leader in land preservation.

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June 16, 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