BPW Approves Preservation Of 430 Acres In Worcester County

Annapolis, Md. (September 1, 2010) —  Governor Martin O’Malley today announced Board of Public Works (BPW) approval to preserve 430 acres of land in Worcester County through Program Open Space. The acquisition, known as the Adkins Company property, includes land and waterways that provide excellent habitat for a wide range of wildlife and fish in Maryland’s Coastal Bays as well as unique and outstanding opportunities for public access and environmental education.

“These are challenging times for our families and our State, but by working together with our partners, we are continuing to invest in a more sustainable future,” said Governor O’Malley. “This acquisition is a perfect example of how preserving key ecological areas and providing recreational opportunities for Maryland families can go hand in hand.”

Within the property limits of the Adkins Company property are forested wetlands, shoreline and creeks that are situated along Ayers Creek and Newport Bay. Conservation of this area will safeguard wildlife habitat and protect the water quality of the coastal bays for future generations. Maryland’s Coastal Bays comprise one of only 27 estuaries nationwide that are protected under the Environmental Protection Agency’s acclaimed National Estuary Program. This initiative is designed to protect the most economically- and environmentally-significant estuaries in the nation.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, working in partnership with Worcester County and the Trust for Public Land, has secured a Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to help fund the acquisition of this property. Title to the property will be vested in the name of Worcester County and the property will be managed in cooperation with the Maryland Coastal Bays Program.

The three-member Board of Public Works is composed 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.

Since 2007, Governor O’Malley and the BPW preserved more than 29,182 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 349,908 acres for open space and recreation areas. Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded by Program Open Space.

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