BPW Approves Preservation Of 26 Acres In Garrett County Through Program Open Space

Annapolis, Md. (February 23, 2011) — Governor Martin O’Malley today announced Board of Public Works (BPW) approval to preserve 26 acres of land in Garrett County through Program Open Space. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will purchase the land, known as the White property, which is adjacent to Potomac State Forest in Garrett County and will be an important addition to the State forest system and protect important plant and wildlife habitat.

Located within a Target Ecological area, the property is contained in the Savage River Watershed, one of the only locations of an intact, connected brook trout population. The purchase is consistent with the fisheries management plan for the area and will protect critical habitat for rare and uncommon plants as well.

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 have preserved more than 33,076 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 354,120 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