DNR Forest Service To Host Online Public Meeting

Public May Comment on State Forest Annual Work Plans

Annapolis, Md. (December 6, 2010) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Service is conducting a 30-day online public comment period to solicit input on the proposed 2012 fiscal year work plans for three western State Forests: Green Ridge, Potomac-Garrett and Savage River.

“Public input will help us to ensure that our State Forest’s resources are prudently managed for the benefit of all our citizens and the resource itself,” said Maryland State Forester Steve Koehn. “The proposed work plans will be available for public viewing and comments until December 29, 2010.”

The plan, drafted annually, identifies work to be accomplished on the forest in the next fiscal year within the scope of the forest's long-range management plan. The current plan includes silvicultural operations, maintenance and construction projects.

This forum is the last of a three-step review process to establish the work plan. The first was an internal review by a team of resource professionals from the fields of wildlife, fisheries, heritage, forestry, recreation, water resources and resource planning. The second step was a review by an appointed advisory committee. At the end of this public comment period, the forest manager will make any final adjustments to the plan.

Citizens can offer comments online through an email link for each specific State Forest Annual Work Plan. Each proposal is accompanied by a description, field data summary, objective and a map of the vicinity. DNR asks that all comments are specific to each annual work plan.

The workplans may be found at www.dnr.md.gov/forests. Comments should be emailed to Jack Perdue at jperdue@dnr.state.md.us,

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