State Service Reduction Day September 3

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

Annapolis, Md. (August 26, 2010) — All Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offices will be closed on Friday, September 3 as part of the State’s Furlough and Temporary Salary Reduction Plan. Maryland State Parks and other public lands managed by DNR will remain staffed and open to the public.

“Maryland State Parks and other public lands are popular destinations for Maryland’s working families during holiday weekends,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “We remain committed to keeping these natural treasures open and operating for citizens and visitors throughout the holiday, despite the suspended service day.”

All DNR service centers will be closed, but Marylanders may purchase recreational licenses from any sport license agent, online at www.wildlifelicense.com/md/, or by telephone at 1-800-918-2870.

On May 21, 2010, Governor O’Malley issued Executive Order 01.01.2010.11, “Fiscal Year 2011 State Employees’ Furlough and Temporary Salary Reduction Plan,” detailing the continuing, urgent need to reduce State budget expenditures through a combination of a temporary reduction in salaries, furloughs, and service reduction days. It is estimated that the furlough and salary reduction plans will save the State more than $100 million and prevent the elimination of more than 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.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million 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 11 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