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Garrett County Tourism Outpaces Maryland Tourism Growth
Margot Amelia, Executive Director of the Maryland Office of Tourism, presented an update on the state of Maryland tourism at the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce’s Business Before Hours – Tourism Update on November 18 at Wisp Resort. According to Amelia, there has been considerable growth for Maryland tourism in recent years and Garrett County tourism has steadily outpaced the state’s increases.
During her presentation, Amelia tracked the progress of tourism since 2009. She stated that Maryland has grown tourism sales tax revenues 15.9 percent, while Garrett County has grown tourism sales tax revenues 21.8 percent during the same time period. Maryland has grown visitor spending 21 percent and Garrett County has grown visitor spending 38 percent. Maryland has grown lodging sales 14 percent while Garrett County has grown lodging sales 35 percent. Maryland has grown second home revenue 22 percent and Garrett County has grown second home revenue 39 percent. Maryland has grown hotel tax revenue 22 percent and Garrett County has grown hotel tax revenue 50 percent.
Read More Here: http://deepcreektimes.com/news.asp
Check out who made one of the three cities!
Big US cities like New York City and Los Angeles get a lot of attention from vacation seekers every year. However, such big cities aren’t always the perfect travel destinations for every occasion. So if you’re looking for a new place to visit sometime soon, check out the three under the radar cities in the US you need to see.
Garrett Commission votes to endorse findings on shale gas drilling
OAKLAND — The Garrett County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to endorse the findings of the Garrett County Shale Gas Advisory Commission to further explore the impacts of drilling.
The commissioners also voted to forward the report to the incoming commissioners for a decision on how to best implement policies and procedures for Marcellus shale moving forward.
“There has been some selective follow-up discussion, but it is recognized that any definitive further action will logically await engagement of the new board of commissioners,” states the report.
SGAC recommends that the county further explore the fiscal impacts; public safety; public health; property owners’ safety; the county’s character and appeal to tourists as well as second home/retirement home owners; and minimization of the impact of industrialization, according to the report.
The report includes a compilation of seven smaller reports that have been delivered over the year, three of which deal with and input on the state’s safe shale drilling initiative studies, according to John Quilty, chairman of SGAC. The SDI studies were forwarded by the commissioners to both the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Department of the Environment.
Read More Here: http://eaglefordtexas.com/news/id/141328/garrett-commission-votes-endorse-findings-shale-gas-drilling/
Some proposed ‘fracking’ rules in Maryland go too far
MARYLAND GOV. Martin O’Malley (D) plans to lift a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” next month, regulating rather than prohibiting a controversial drilling process that energy companies have used to retrieve massive quantities of natural gas from shale rock formations. But Western Maryland landowners looking for drilling royalties and local laborers looking for jobs should check their excitement. The rules that the outgoing governor plans to impose on Maryland fracking would be so tough that they would make it impossible for drilling to begin in the next two years and would diminish the likelihood that operations will happen in earnest after that.
Larry Hogan, the incoming Republican governor, has promised to review “every single one” of Mr. O’Malley’s regulations. That’s warranted — but his review should be based on the evidence. He must take care not to go too far in the other direction, scrapping many good proposed rules because some might be too strict.
Maryland Governor O’Malley is Ready to Allow Fracking in His State
Outgoing Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley has frequently been mentioned as a top-of-the-list contender for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, should Hillary Clinton’s bid fail to materialize. But he just made himself more controversial within the party—and raised the ire of environmentalists—with his announcement that he is ready to allow fracking in the state, where it has so far been banned.
Natural gas companies have been casting a longing eye at Maryland since the fracking boom started. The state’s western panhandle sits on the natural gas-rich Marcellus shale formation, which has proved such a money-maker in Pennsylvania just to its north.
O’Malley said that energy companies that want to frack in the state will have to abide by restrictive environmental and public health regulations, including limits on drilling locations and oversight of risks to air pollution and water contamination. He said he will unveil the final regulations in mid-December before leaving office to be succeeded by Republican Larry Hogan in January. Hogan has made it clear he’s chomping at the bit to open the state to fracking, calling it an “economic gold mine,” and saying during the campaign “States throughout the country have been developing their natural gas resources safely and efficiently for decades. I am concerned that there has been a knee-jerk reaction against any new energy production.”
Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/maryland-governor-omalley-is-ready-to-allow-fracking-in-his-state.html#ixzz3Kej6i3pt
MARYLAND MARCELLUS SHALE SAFE DRILLING
BALTIMORE, MD (November 25, 2014) – Reflecting extensive consultation with scientists, public health professionals, economists, industry experts, environmental and community advocates, and the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission, today the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Department of Natural Resources presented a draft Final Report on Marcellus Shale drilling. The three-year-long study recommends that Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling be permitted provided that stringent comprehensive best practices are followed.
The draft Final Report – required by Governor Martin O’Malley’s Executive Order establishing the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative – concludes that the risks of Marcellus shale development can be managed to an acceptable level, similar to other industrial activities, provided that the State rigorously inspects sites and enforces compliance with applicable regulations and stands prepared to adjust policies and regulations as needed in the future. The report recommends best management practices that, taken as a whole, are at least as stringent, if not more stringent, than those required anywhere else in the nation.
“After three years of exhaustive study, we’ve compiled what many believe to be the gold standard for best management practices in the country,” said Governor O’Malley. “We’re committed to ensuring that Marylanders have access to the economic opportunities associated with fracking while also putting the most complete practices into place to ensure the highest level of protection for Maryland residents.”
“This report strikes the right balance, ensuring that Allegany and Garrett counties realize the economic benefits of fracking without sacrificing public health, the environment or the vibrant tourist economy of Western Maryland,” said MDE Secretary Robert M. Summers. “With these highly protective standards, and working with local governments to maximize investment opportunities and review Comprehensive Gas Development Plans, Maryland is better positioned to manage this new frontier in energy development.”
Read More Here: http://news.maryland.gov/mde/2014/11/25/md-report-recommends-permitting-marcellus-shale-development-under-health-environmental-safety-rules/
