REMINDER: State Service Reduction Day May 28

DNR Service Centers Will Close; Maryland State Parks and Public Lands Remain Open

Annapolis, MD (May 17, 2010) — All Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offices will be closed Friday, May 28, 2010 as part of the State’s Furlough and Temporary Salary Reduction Plan. This includes regional service centers, which are historically busy the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. Maryland State Parks and other public lands managed by DNR will remain staffed and open to the public.

“Maryland’s State Parks and other public lands have become traditional venues for Maryland families to enjoy their holiday weekends,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “We remain committed to keeping these amenities open and operating for citizens and visitors despite the suspended service day.”

DNR asks all boaters to plan accordingly, and register their boats early. Anglers can purchase fishing licenses online 24/7 at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/service/license.asp or over the phone at (800) 918-2870.

On August 26, 2009 the Board of Public Works approved more than $450 million in reductions to the state’s FY 2010 budget, to address a projected shortfall. The reductions included a sliding scale of furlough and fixed service reduction days for State employees. It is estimated that the furlough and salary reduction plans will save the State approximately $75 million and prevent the elimination of about 1,500 State jobs.

For more information on State Parks visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/

For more information on the recent budget reductions visit http://www.governor.maryland.gov/pressreleases/090825.asp.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources
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