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Feb. 24, 2011
Governor Martin O’Malley announced yesterday 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, and add to the state forest system, which protects 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, according to the DNR.
The three-member Board of Public Works consists 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.
