Governor O’Malley Announces Preservation Of 117 Acres In Baltimore County

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ANNAPOLIS, MD - Today, Governor Martin O’Malley announced preservation of 117 acres of forest and farmland in Baltimore County through Maryland’s Rural Legacy Program.

“Continued progress in preserving our woodlands and working farms in Baltimore County remains critical to protecting and restoring our local streams and nationally treasured Chesapeake Bay,” said Governor Martin O’Malley.

On Wednesday, Feb. 13, the Board of Public Works approved the purchase of two conservation easements located in the Piney Run Watershed Rural Legacy Focus Area with $785,500 of Rural Legacy funds. The easements adjoin with a large block of 12,000+ acres of previously protected land. Protection of the properties from future development helps protect water quality of the Black Rock Run and Piney Run by permanently preserving stream riparian butters. The easements, totaling 117+ acres, will be held cooperatively by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Land Preservation Trust.

Since 1997, Maryland’s Rural Legacy Program has provided funding to preserve 57,915 acres vulnerable to sprawl development.

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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February 20, 2008

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