Governor O’Malley Announces BPW Approval of Preservation of 484 Acres In Cecil County

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ANNAPOLIS, MD — Today, Governor Martin O’Malley announced Board of Public Works (BPW) approval of  Program Open Space (POS) and Rural Legacy funds to preserve 484.7 acres of valuable natural areas in Cecil County.

A 5.45-acre undeveloped waterfront property on the Susquehanna River will be protected from development. Located in the Town of Perryville, this last open and undeveloped piece of waterfront property in the town will provide public access to the river, beautiful views, recreational opportunities, and historical and environmental education. Located directly across from pristine Garrett Island, a part of the Blackwater Wildlife Refuge System, the property offers a fantastic view of the undisturbed natural island. The property connects to the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway trail that once completed, will connect Harford and Cecil Counties, and the Towns of Havre de Grace, Perryville and Port Deposit. $1,319,500 of state-side Program Open Space funds were approved to finance the purchase.

A 479.29-acre conservation easement on the Ordinary Point Farm located in the Sassafras rural Legacy Focus area was purchased for $2,134,160 by the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy with Rural Legacy funds. The permanent conservation of this agricultural and forest land will protect forest buffers and water quality of the Sassafras River, a Chesapeake Bay Tributary.

In total the BPW approved funding for 12 local park and recreation areas and preservation of more than 1,299 acres of agricultural and forest land in 16 Counties today.

Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for acquisition of nearly 322,000 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.
Chaired by Governor O’Malley, the Board of Public Works is also comprised of Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot. The Board is authorized by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.

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November 14, 2007

Contact: Olivia Campbell 410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell ocampbell@dnr.state.md.us

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