Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Foundation Donates $5,000 To NRP

Proceeds from Sale of First Lifetime Hunting License

Annapolis, MD (September 13, 2010)  – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has sold its first Maryland Lifetime Hunting License. On September 11, the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation presented Natural Resources Police (NRP) with a $5,000 check, the proceeds from the sale of the license, at the Sixth Annual Maryland Fishing Challenge Featuring Diamond Jim Finale event at Sandy Point State Park.

This sale was made possible by Senate Bill 987, the Conservation Law Enforcement Act of 2010, introduced by Senator John Astle and signed into law this year, which provides for the sale of a lifetime license with proceeds to benefit the protection of Maryland’s natural resources.

The Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation Chairman David Sutherland, Vice-Chairman Bill Miles and Senator Astle made the presentation to DNR Secretary John Griffin and NRP Deputy Superintendent Alphonso Hawkins.

“I would like to commend the leadership of Senator Astle and the Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation for realizing the importance enforcing the laws that protect our natural resources,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin.

The first lifetime hunting license was bought by Pete Pappas at an auction sponsored by the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation. DNR has released 20 total lifetime licenses and the remaining 19 will be auctioned off at other hunting and fishing events across the State.

“On behalf of the Natural Resources Police, I would like to thank Senator Astle and the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation for their support and dedication to preserving our State’s abundant resources for the enjoyment of all Marylanders,” said Colonel George Johnson, NRP Superintendent.

Licenses are only valid during the lifetime of the individual who applies for the license at a designated center and the licenses are not transferrable after the death of the holder. Organizations auctioning the licenses will not be allowed to keep the proceeds.

“One-hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of these historic licenses are to be dedicated to the Natural Resources Police for enforcement of these laws,” said Bill Miles, Vice-Chair of the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation. “The Natural Resources Police is an agency in dire need of increased financial support and one for which Maryland sportsmen are more than willing to do their share to support.”

The Maryland Natural Resources Police is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 247 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 461,000 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