DNR Invites Comments On State Forest Annual Work Plans

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Annapolis, Md. - The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Service is conducting an online public meeting for 30 days to solicit comments on the proposed 2010 fiscal year work plans for four State Forests: Green Ridge, Pocomoke, Potomac-Garrett, and Savage River. The proposed work plans will be available for public viewing and comments beginning April 24, 2009, and running through May 24, 2009.

“Public input will ensure that our State Forest’s resources are prudently managed for the benefit of our citizens and the resource itself,” said DNR Forest Service Director Steve Koehn. “I encourage Marylanders to contribute their ideas and suggestions to enhance the quality of our State Forests.”

These annual work plans identify the work that is to be accomplished on the forest in the next fiscal year within the scope of the forest's long-range management plan. The work that will be accomplished includes silvicultural operations, maintenance and construction projects and other work to be performed on the forest.

This public forum is the third step in a three-step review process to establish the work plan. The first is an internal review by a team of resource professionals from the fields of wildlife, fisheries, heritage, forestry, recreation, water resources, and resource planning. The second step is a review by an appointed advisory committee. After the period of comment, the forest manager will make final adjustments to the plan.

Participants can offer comments online through an email link for each specific State Forest Annual Work Plan. Each proposal is accompanied with a description, field data summary, objective, and a map of the vicinity. We ask that all comments to please be specific for each annual work plan. Comments, which are too general or vague, may make it difficult to utilize your concerns and expertise in making modifications to the work plan proposals. View the annual work plans for Green Ridge, Pocomoke, Potomac-Garrett and Savage River State Forests.

Email comments should be sent to DNR Forest Supervisor Jack Perdue at jperdue@dnr.state.md.us.

For more information about Maryland’s State Forests visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/forests/mdforests.asp.

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April 27, 2009

Contact: Megan Rhoads 410-260-8001 mrhoads@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