March 2012 – Page 3 – Jay's Real Estate Blog

Garrett County to take over manmade whitewater course

Deal will not affect 2014 ICF championship

Associated Press

HAGERSTOWN — Garrett County will assume ownership of a manmade whitewater course near McHenry after the nonprofit developer of the Western Maryland tourism and training site defaulted on more than $3 million in bank loans, county officials and the development group said Wednesday.

The deal won’t affect the International Canoe Federation’s plans to hold its 2014 world whitewater paddling championships at the 5-year-old mountaintop course, said Duane Yoder, board chairman of Adventure Sports Center International, the nonprofit developer.

Yoder and Garrett County Administrator G. Lamont Pagenhardt said the county won’t be liable for the center’s bank debt.

County officials will announce details of the transaction Tuesday, Pagenhardt said.

Yoder said the deal will sustain the publicly-funded enterprise.

“I think it’s a pretty successful outcome in terms of keeping what we have out here, keeping the whole outdoor-recreation brand alive in the county,” Yoder said.

The center’s executive director, two-time Olympian Matt Taylor, said he’s leaving to become executive director of the Westwind Stewardship Group in Otis, Ore. Westwind owns 529 acres of mostly undeveloped coastal land used for outdoor education activities.

Yoder said Taylor’s departure wasn’t due to Adventure Sports’ financial problems.

Taylor said the Adventure Sports complex, which also includes 550 wooded acres, remains a relevant and exciting part of the Deep Creek Lake resort area.

“The ultimate long-term sustainability of any nonprofit or public entity can be a challenge because of the economy,” Taylor said.

The $17.7 million project was built with $6.1 million from the county, $5.8 million from the state and $2.6 million in federal funds. The 1,700-foot, recirculating whitewater course is used by both raft-riding tourists and world-class athletes.

Unexpected construction costs led the center to borrow $3.2 million from Susquehanna Bank and First United Bank & Trust. The center defaulted on the loans after D.C. Development LLC, the struggling owner of the nearby Wisp ski resort, stopped making $180,000 annual payments to the center for marketing services.

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Are Fracking Fees The Future In Maryland?

By: Matt Bush // March 20, 2012
A bill in Maryland that would implement a fee on all land leased for the controversial natural gas drilling technique known as “fracking” has passed the House of Delegates by an 88-49 vote.

Del. Heather Mizuer (D) of Montgomery County sponsored the bill, which would take the money raised by the fees and spend it on a study of the effects of hydraulic fracturing. Opponents of the practice say the technique is responsible for poisoned water supplies and earthquakes in other states that lie on top of the Marcellus Shale. Companies are seeking to extract natural gas from the rock formation in Maryland.

“It’s a question of whether does the taxpayer pay or does the industry pay? And we think the industry should pay for this,” Mizuer said after a floord debate in the House.

Mizuer dismissed claims that growth of the industry in the state would bring jobs with it, noting that gas companies bring in professionals on their payrolls from outside the area.

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Maryland House approves fee for gas drilling study

Local delegates cast votes against measures

Brian White Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS — Maryland would become the first state in the nation to charge energy companies a fee to finance studies on best practices for extracting natural gas from Marcellus shale, under a bill approved Tuesday by the state’s House of Delegates.

The House voted 94-41 to impose a $15-per-acre fee that supporters say would raise roughly $1.8 million to pay for the studies.

Allegany and Garrett County Delegates Wendell Beitzel, Kevin Kelly and LeRoy Myers, Jr. voted against HB 1204 and the companion bill imposing a presumption of liability on drillers.

Supporters cite health and environmental concerns about the drilling process as reasons to be careful, but opponents questioned why businesses that could help create jobs should have to pay for a study to determine whether they can do business in Western Maryland, where the Marcellus shale is located.

Delegate Maggie McIntosh, D-Baltimore, pointed to water contamination, earthquakes and environmental damage from the drilling process in other states.

“It is important that when we eventually — probably — drill in Maryland that it is done in a safe way,” McIntosh, who chairs the House Environmental Matters Committee, said during debate.

But opponents of the measure say the state is putting up roadblocks to economic development that could boost Western Maryland.

“I’m fearful that what we’re going to see is the companies that would even think about coming to Maryland to drill a well will say there’s a big sign at our border saying: ‘Gas companies not welcome,’” said Beitzel, R-Garrett.

The measure now goes to the state Senate, where a similar bill stalled last year after clearing the House. Supporters acknowledge the bill could be a challenging sell in the Senate again.

“I think that we’re going to have challenges ahead, but we’re showing more and more momentum every year on this,” said Delegate Heather Mizeur, D-Montgomery, who sponsored the bill. “Last year, we weren’t able to get it passed in part because it was a new topic.”

Gov. Martin O’Malley signed an executive order last year that has effectively put drilling on hold until further review. The order requires a three-part study and a report on finding and recommendations.

The state’s Environment and Natural Resources departments each have a role in evaluating natural gas projects. Each would be involved in any future permitting decisions for drilling. Maryland received its first application for a permit to produce gas from the Marcellus shale using horizontal drilling and high-volume hydraulic fracturing in 2009.

Maryland officials have not determined whether drilling can be accomplished without unacceptable risk.

Under state law, the Maryland Department of the Environment has broad authority to impose conditions on permits to protect natural resources and provide public safety. The department may deny a permit based on a substantial threat to public safety or a risk of significant adverse environmental impact.

A final report with recommendations relating to the impact of drilling is due Aug. 1, 2014.

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Garrett officials to address Adventure Sports Center takeover

Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News

OAKLAND — Operations and management of the Adventure Sports Center International will be addressed by the Garrett County Board of Commissioners next week when a press conference is held Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the commission’s public meeting room.

The commissioners and Wendy Yoder, director of the county’s department of financial services, and Scott Weeks, assistant director, held a discussion about ASCI on Monday and then went into executive session to discuss economic development and financial and personnel matters pertaining to the sports center.

The commissioners previously discussed ASCI’s $3 million debt obligation at a February meeting. In January, the sports center’s board of directors proposed to convey all of the center’s facilities, assets and operations to the county. The offer was contingent upon the county assuming ASCI’s liabilities, according to a previous statement released by the commissioners.

During the February meeting, the commissioners made it clear that they would not consider the conveyance if the debt obligations remain.

Also at Monday’s administrative meeting, the commissioners:

• Approved an appropriation of $500 to the town of Kitzmiller for the 2012 Annual Homecoming Festival.

• Discussed the funding of an events coordinator. The commissioners had previously approved in August 2011 the funding of $20,000 to serve as a cost share with the Chamber of Commerce. Commissioners and members of the chamber agreed to place the employment of an independent contractor on hold with the final decision to be made as part of the Fiscal Year 2013 budget.

• Reappointed Donald Stemple to the Garrett County Civil Service Commission.

During the public meeting, the commissioners:

• Approved a bid award to Winters General Contractor Inc. for $46,950 for an airport parking area expansion.

• Provided an update on legislative matters relative to the 2012 session of the Maryland General Assembly.

• Heard an update from Richard MacLennan, president of Garrett College, on the Garrett County Scholarship Program.

• Executed a proclamation celebrating 100 years of Girl Scouts in the United States.

• Recognized Austin Shaffer of Southern Garrett High School as the 2012 State Wrestling Champion.

The next public meeting will be held April 3 at 9 a.m.

Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com

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3-20-12: To the Bear’s Lair

Every year, in the early spring, scientists from the state’s Department of Natural Resources visit a selection of bear dens across western Maryland. The researchers venture under brush, around trees, and occasionally, under a porch, to check the health of hibernating mama bears they’ve been monitoring with radio collars. The idea is to get an idea of the bears’ health and growth.

Maryland ‘s bear population lives mainly in Garrett, Allegany, Washington, and Frederick Counties. Harry Spiker, Maryland’s Principal Bear Biologist, has been spending time going to lairs in western Maryland. Here, he talks about the survey with Sheilah Kast.

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Reports Track Child Care Costs and Availability, County-by-County

March 20, 2012

BALTIMORE – Maryland families putting together child-care budgets can get a good idea how much it will cost, thanks to new research from the Maryland Family Network.

The prices vary widely around the state. Care for two children, an infant and a preschooler, would cost a family about $9600 a year in Garrett County – and $25,000 a year in Montgomery County.

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Senate Passes Legislation To Allow U.S. 219 Upgrade To Move Forward

Mar. 15, 2012

In a vote taken yesterday, the United States Senate passed its version of a new transportation bill which contained legislative language written by Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) that would allow the U.S. 219 construction project from Somerset to Meyersdale, Pa. – just north of Grantsville – to move forward.

Senator Cardin, who praised Senate passage of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill known as MAP-21, championed three separate provisions in the bill designed specifically to aid the completion of the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) and assure federal support for access roads in Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties.

Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Robert Casey (D-PA), and Patrick Toomey (R-PA) joined in the effort to get the legislation passed.

Specifically, the prohibition on “toll credit” usage for the 13 Appalachian states of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and their ADHS was reversed.

Toll credit usage for the required state match was begun in 1992, but was removed for the ADHS projects in 2005. Without it, PennDOT (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) has refused to move on the U.S. 219 project, citing that provision and the lack of state matching funds, even with the $35 million bond bill for the project. PennDOT has consistently stated it needed another $35 million, or the toll credit language changed, to allow it to offset its required state match with toll credits.

“I have heard from business and civic leaders in western Maryland about the importance of the ADHS to economic growth in the region,” said Cardin, “and keeping residents connected to the rest of the country. That is why I made the preservation of this program and the development of important incentive provisions to facilitate the completion of the ADHS a top priority of mine during the Senate’s consideration of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill.”

This change, if passed by the House of Representatives, will allow PennDOT to immediately proceed with the Route 219 construction project from Somerset to Meyersdale, PennDOT Secretary Barry Schoch told the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce last January.

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BOE Hears School Closure Committees

Mar. 15, 2012

The Garrett County Board of Education heard three advisory committee reports on Tuesday concerning the proposed closure of three county elementary schools – Dennett Road, Friendsville, and Kitzmiller. All three committees made appeals to the board to keep the schools open and operating.

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The advisory committee representatives made their respective cases in the cafeteria of Southern Middle School, a venue selected by the board to accommodate the larger than usual crowd expected.

The groups cited the stress that would be placed on children by longer commute times, the loss of educational programs, and the damage that would be done to the surrounding communities as reasons to not close the schools.

It was also generally believed by the advisory committees that eliminating the three schools would cause crowding at other facilities and also adversely affect Garrett County’s ability to attract new industries and businesses.

“Class size is important,” stated Leo Martin, Mtn. Lake Park mayor, during the public comment forum.

“If we close these schools what do we do with the buildings? You simply create another burden for the tax payer. Like it or not, Garrett County will develop – what do we do then without adequate space for students?”

More here.

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"Uncle WiFi Is In The Iditerod!"

Mar. 15, 2012

Indeed, the uncle of this local litter is currently competing in the annual 1,000-mile Iditarod race in Alaska and Canada as a member of musher Karen Ramstead’s team of pure breed Siberian huskies. The brother of WiFi and the “dad” to these pups is Slider, owned by Linda and Mike Herdering of Husky Power Dogsledding in Accident. According to the Herderings, there are only one or two teams of pure breed Siberian huskies (known as “pretty sled dogs”) because the Alaskan husky is faster.

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Ramstead says she runs the Siberian team not to win, but to prove that show dogs can also perform and succeed in an athletic competition. As of yesterday afternoon, Ramstead and her team had just left the checkpoint of Shaktoolik. Thirteen teams had finished the race, and 40 were still racing. The four Siberian pups above are not only four completely different colors, but they sport four completely different eye pairings. The differences in deep Siberian coloring (red, black, blonde, and grey) prompted the Herderings to name them “The Metal Litter.” From left are Copper, Steelie, Goldie, and
Silver.

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Garrett sizes up parts of setback ordinance

Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News

OAKLAND — On Thursday, Garrett County commissioners discussed possible setback regulations on industrial wind turbines, meteorological towers and gas industries during a discussion of the Land Use Management Ordinance draft, facilitated by John Nelson, director of the Department of Planning and Land Development.

The draft ordinance regulates MET tower height to 50 feet and states that the wind turbines must be 2,000 feet from a residence, church, school or other occupied structure and 1,000 feet from a property line not owned or leased by the company installing the wind conversion energy systems.

It also states a wind turbine blade can only measure 375 feet at its highest point.

Nelson said he believes current wind turbines are 410 feet.

“The number may or may not go out to the public,” said Raley. “We may go back and say, ‘Well, they are already 410 then we may as well put them as 410. That is a discussion we will have.”

Residents questioned Nelson as to where he got the setback numbers for the wind turbines and said the setbacks seem anti-wind.

“I can tell you setback letters are coming in both ways,” said Raley. “One person says they are too restrictive and another person said I live there and they are not restrictive enough, and I’ve been to the Pinnacle Wind Farm (on Green Mountain in Keyser) and I do believe it imposes on people.”

All discussions of the draft ordinance have been held in public and will continue to be, according to Raley. The next discussion will be held April 10 at 10 a.m. in the commissioners meeting room in the courthouse.

One resident questioned whether wind turbine substations would be permitted under the draft ordinance.

“Those would be permitted as well, automatically, by right under the utility provision. The setback requirements don’t apply to the substation, just the wind turbines itself,” said Nelson.

Clipper Windpower Development voluntarily offered a minimum setback before its project was constructed, according to Nelson. The setback was 1,000 feet, according to a Clipper employee who was in attendance.

The draft ordinance also contains proposed language that addresses the underground disposal of hydraulic fracturing water associated with Marcellus shale drilling.

Nelson said that it would be advantageous to have a stakeholders group that could review the ordinance, work on the details and provide a much more public process where the details could be discussed and debated.

Once the draft ordinance is complete, it will be placed on the county’s website and in the public library before a public hearing is held.

Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com

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Month: March 2012

Garrett County to take over manmade whitewater course

Are Fracking Fees The Future In Maryland?

Maryland House approves fee for gas drilling study

Garrett officials to address Adventure Sports Center takeover

3-20-12: To the Bear’s Lair

Reports Track Child Care Costs and Availability, County-by-County

Senate Passes Legislation To Allow U.S. 219 Upgrade To Move Forward

BOE Hears School Closure Committees

"Uncle WiFi Is In The Iditerod!"

Garrett sizes up parts of setback ordinance

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