Governor O’Malley Announces BPW Approval Of $4 Million In Program Open Space Funding

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Governor O’Malley Announces BPW Approval Of $4 Million In Program Open Space Funding
Waterway, beach replenishment projects also approved

ANNAPOLIS — Governor Martin O’Malley yesterday announced the Board of Public Works (BPW) approval of $1.2 million in Program Open Space (POS) funds for local projects, $1.8 million in state land acquisitions, and over $2 million in other natural resources projects.

The Board of Public Works approved $1,808,400 for Talbot County’s acquisition of 66.96-acre Fleetwood property. The property is currently owned by William and Lisa Fleetwood as a residence and farmed by their family. The site includes 22 wooded acres along both Norwich Creek and the Tuckahoe River with extraordinary views. Wildlife can be observed year round at this unique property which features agricultural land, wooded areas and waterfront access. The property will be utilized as a waterfront park with passive recreational opportunities.

Local Program Open Space funding was approved as follows:

$390,000 to Baltimore County for:

Orchard Hills Park — construction of a paved 38-space parking lot; and

Oella Neighborhood Park —construction of a paved 30-space parking lot.

$89,925 to Garrett County for Broadford Elementary School Playground — new play equipment.

$750,000 to Prince George’s County for the Equestrian Center — construction of a covered 175- foot by 325-foot show ring.

The Board also approved the following expenditures:

$264,264 in Waterway Improvement Funds for the construction of new 3-foot by 20-foot finger piers at Somers Cove Marina in Somerset County.

$681,088 from DNR’s Critical Maintenance Fund for beach replenishment (dispersal of approximately 29,000 cubic yards of beach sand) at Assateague State Park in Worcester County.

$1,058,616 for the reconstruction of stone revetments and the stone groin at Point Lookout State Park in St. Mary’s County.

Chaired by Governor O’Malley, the Board of Public Works is also comprised of Comptroller Peter Franchot and Treasurer Nancy Kopp. The Board is authorized by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.
Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for acquisition of nearly 292,000 acres for open space and recreation areas. Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded by this program.

March 1, 2007
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