Bill would mandate 8-year moratorium on fracking
ANNAPOLIS — Environmentally stringent and costly drilling regulations are not enough to protect the public’s health from hydraulic fracturing’s pollutants, according to a coalition of legislators, environmental groups and health professionals who rallied Thursday in support of a moratorium bill.
Del. David Fraser-Hidalgo, D-Montgomery, is sponsoring the Protect Our Health and Communities Bill that would delay hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in Western Maryland for the next eight years in order to provide more time to investigate health and environmental ramifications.
At the end of his term, former Gov. Martin O’Malley established costly permit regulations to drill for natural gas in Maryland that reflected a December analysis by the state’s environment and natural resources departments, said David Venko, chair of a commission charged with studying safe drilling in the state.
Read More Here: http://www.cecildaily.com/news/state_news/article_f128e09c-b123-5cc6-9562-26cdf7dd0856.html
Wisp Ski Resort~ A Little Look Back!
Check out this blog about the history of Wisp Resort:
http://blog.deepcreekvacations.com/
Hunting guides fined for baiting black bears in Garrett Co.
Two hunting guides who pleaded guilty to illegally baiting black bears in Garrett County were fined thousands of dollars and ordered to do 25 hours of community service on Thursday, prosecutors said.
Fracking opponents propose 8-year moratorium
…..Marcellus Shale is found underneath all of Garrett County and parts of Allegany County. A Towson University study finds that tapping into it could infuse billions into the local economy, providing farmers the opportunity to negotiate mineral rights to their property.
“That money stays in the counties, stays with the local people, enables farmers to buy new tractors, paint their barns, maintain the farm, keep the farm,” said Delegate Wendell Beitzel, R-Garrett County.
But interest in drilling is waning because state officials have been reluctant to give the green light. Health risks and environmental horror stories fueled the delay. Examples include stories of fracking causing flammable water and mini-earthquakes.
Read More Here: http://www.wbaltv.com/politics/fracking-opponents-propose-8year-moratorium/31118170
Be a Part of the Taylor-Made Family!
We are looking to grow our Real Estate division! Call Jay Ferguson if interested 301-501-0420!
Pinot Noir -- extremely versatile wine, specialty in Deep Creek
………In Maryland, Black Ankle and Elk Run produce Pinot Noir wines, but it is a specialty only further west, at Deep Creek Cellars.
“The lower humidity and cooler nights, due to our higher elevation, makes the difference,” says Paul Roberts, co-owner and winemaker. “Chesapeake Bay once lapped up on these ridges, leaving marine fossils and calcareous rock. We’ve pioneered five vintages showing central Allegany County is the place for back-country Pinot. These are not baked West Coast wines, but rather more traditional, Burgundy-inspired Pinot Noirs of subtlety and finesse. Connoisseurs compare ours very favorably.”
Roberts teamed up with Michael and Barbara Hutton in 2008 to plant the couple’s property southeast of Cumberland with about 3,500 vines.
Read More Here: http://www.abc2news.com/lifestyle/pinot-noir-extremely-versatile-wine
Ice safety comes before winter recreation and productive fishing
In recent years, new cold-weather clothing technologies and reliable ice fishing gear have made the sport easier and more comfortable, attracting a growing number of ice anglers and their families. But in the same ways that hunters understand the risks of their sport and often talk afield about hunting safety, anglers should be aware of the inherent dangers of ice fishing. They should bring the proper safety gear and talk about the condition and thickness of the ice and the weight it can hold. They should be aware of the conditions of the water below, the spacing of holes and what to do if the worst happens.
“My wife talks about ice safety before we go, but we don’t talk a lot about it when we’re out,” said Jason Redinger of Bedford, Bedford County. On Jan. 24, he and several friends pulled a dozen fish through the ice over Deep Creek, Md., including Redinger’s 21-inch walleye.
“We usually wear life vests. I made some ice picks from dowel rods, nails and rope, and we usually put holes about 25 feet apart for tip-ups,” he said.
Read More Here: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/outdoors/2015/02/01/Ice-safety-comes-before-winter-recreation-and-productive-fishing/stories/201502010157
