Portions Of Deal Wildlife Management Area Temporarily Closed

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ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service (WHS) announced today the closure of portions of Deal Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA) due to excessive littering. The closure includes the area known as the impoundment and all associated access roads, parking lots, and boat ramps accessible from Riley Roberts Road and Rt. 363.

The closure will remain in effect until July 25, 2007 at which time the affected areas will be re-opened for all permitted activities with the exception of crabbing, which will re-open on Sept 1, 2007. For additional information call Wellington Wildlife Management Area at 410-543-8223 or visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/eastern/dealisland.asp.

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July 17, 2007

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 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 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 12 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