Governor O’Malley Announces BPW Approval Of Preservation Of 700 Acres Of Wildlife Habitat And Shoreline Protection In Worcester County

Annapolis, MD (February 24, 2010) —  Governor Martin O’Malley today announced Board of Public Works (BPW) approval to purchase a conservation easement on the 500-acre Bassett property prominently located on Newport Bay outside of Berlin and a conservation easement on 209-acres of the Allen property approximately five miles North of Pocomoke City, both in Worcester County.
“These projects are excellent examples of how Maryland is working to leverage other fund sources to maximize the potential of our limited conservation dollars,” said Governor O’Malley. “This land will forever protect the Pocomoke River Watershed.”

The Bassett property provides critical wildlife conservation benefits because it contains upland forest, prime agricultural fields, and extensive sensitive wetlands. In partnership with State and Federal agencies, the landowner is also restoring and preserving vital waterfowl habitat.

This easement will help to safeguard wildlife habitat and protect the water quality of Maryland’s Coastal Bays that are under constant threat of rapid land development. Maryland’s Coastal Bays support a wide variety of wildlife, commercial fisheries, and extensive opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Protection of the Bassett property was made possible through the partnership of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and The Conservation Fund (TCF). The project is highly leveraged through a $1 million grant from a National Coastal Wetlands program. This parcel lies within the Coastal Bays focus area and has received a high ecological ranking under the new Program Open Space Targeting System.

“We applaud the Board of Public Works for its support of this project that will protect 1.5 miles of tidal shoreline on Newport Bay, enhance water quality and provide habitat for a variety of migratory birds, shorebirds and waterfowl,” said Bill Crouch, Maryland field representative of The Conservation Fund. “With help from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we’ve been able to bring federal and state partners together to achieve a common conservation goal.”

The forested Allen property is part of the Pocomoke River Conservation Partnership project that aims to protect important wildlife habitat, forests, and wetlands in the Pocomoke River watershed. The Pocomoke River begins in Delaware and flows south into the Chesapeake Bay at Tangier Sound.

This heavily forested property provides essential habitat for numerous local and national rare species, including the Swainson’s warbler, Delmarva fox squirrel and bald eagle. It also serves as an important stopover and nesting habitat for neotropical migrants, waterbirds, shorebirds, including woodcock and waterfowl such as the wood duck, and the American black duck. This parcel lies within the State designated Pocomoke River Focus Area and has received a high ecological ranking under the new Program Open Space Targeting System.

ince 2007, Governor O'Malley and the BPW preserved more than 26,800 acres of natural areas for public recreation and watershed and wildlife protection across Maryland. Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for the acquisition of 347,510 acres for open space and recreation areas. Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded Program Open Space.
The three-member Board of Public Works is comprised of Governor O’Malley (chair), 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.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 467,000 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