BPW Approves Preservation Of 205 Acres In Frederick County

Annapolis, Md. (January 26, 2011) — Governor Martin O’Malley today announced Board of Public Works (BPW) approval to preserve 205 acres of land in Frederick County through Program Open Space. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will purchase an easement on the land, known as the Draper property, which is adjacent to Cunningham Falls State Park. The easement will be held by DNR.

“Despite these difficult economic times, we are able to conserve important Maryland landscape that will protect important plant and wildlife habitat and water quality,” said Governor O’Malley. “Acquisitions such as this one will help us sustain our State’s beauty and natural resources for generations to come.”

The Draper property consists of four parcels of land, adjacent to the Catoctin Quaker Camp, which contains a Maryland Environmental Trust/DNR easement and adjoins the Catoctin Land Trust and DNR co-held Marsh Conservation Easement.

Located within the Target Ecological Area, this property contains the headwater of Buzzard Branch.

Protection of the forested steep slopes of the property will provide habitat for forest interior dwelling species and help protect water quality in Spruce Run, home to native brook trout populations.

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 33,050 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 354,094 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