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Governor O'Malley Announces BPW Preservation Of 80 Acres On Back River Neck Peninsula
Project Expands Preservation of Environmentally Sensitive Land in East Baltimore County
Annapolis, MD — Governor Martin O’Malley today announced Board of Public Works approval of the preservation of 80 acres of environmentally sensitive lands in eastern Baltimore County through local Program Open Space, increasing parks and recreational opportunities on the Back River Neck Peninsula.
“Through this grant, funded from a percentage of real estate transfer taxes, we are enhancing the quality of life for Maryland’s working families by improving access to our local parks, increasing opportunities for young people to play outdoors and preserving the natural beauty of landscapes in neighborhoods across our state,” Governor O’Malley said.
The county will receive more than $1.1 million to acquire largely undeveloped agricultural land that will be added to the extensive network of parkland, open spaces and natural resource areas on the peninsula.
“This acquisition will contribute to Baltimore County's efforts to preserve and protect environmentally sensitive lands on the Back River Peninsula,” said Baltimore County Director of Recreation and Parks Robert J. Bartlett.
“The Department of Recreation and Parks and the Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management, with the support of County Executive Jim Smith, the Baltimore County Council, and state legislative delegation, have acquired over 1,600 acres of land on the peninsula, conserving vast natural resources within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area,” Bartlett continued. “This acquisition also provides a quality, easily accessible venue for serving the recreation and parks needs of local citizens."
Since 2007, Governor O'Malley and the Board of Public Works preserved more than 8,617 acres of natural areas for public recreation and watershed and wildlife protection across Maryland. Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for acquisition of 326,090 acres for open space and recreation areas. The money comes from a percentage of the real estate transfer tax and is used for local and state parks throughout Maryland. Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded through Program Open Space.
The three-member Board of Public Works, chaired by Governor O’Malley, is comprised of Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot. The BPW is authorized by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.
October 1, 2008 Contact: Wiley Hall
410-260-8002 office I 410-507-7526 cell
whall@dnr.state.md.usMaryland 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.