The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will release a draft management plan for Chapman’s Forest for public review and comment during the first week of December. Comments will be taken at a public meeting on Dec. 10 at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM), Center for Business and Industry in LaPlata, as well as in writing and on the Internet.
Chapman’s Forest, a 2,225-acre property located in western Charles County along the Potomac River, was purchased by the State of Maryland in 1998. The land was purchased for its outstanding ecological and cultural resources, and is managed by DNR.
The plan outlines a vision and contains recommendations for managing, protecting and conserving the property’s significant cultural and natural resources, and identifying opportunities for appropriate public use, access and development. The public meeting will provide an overview of the proposed plan and time will be allotted for public comment. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will start at 7 p.m.
The draft plan was developed after consultation with the nine-member Chapman’s Forest Citizens Advisory Committee, appointed in 1999. The purpose of the committee was to provide recommendations for future protection, management and appropriate public use for Chapman’s Forest. The advisory committee meetings were held on a monthly basis and were open to the public. Three citizen work groups were also appointed to examine issues related to the property’s resources and public use and to make recommendations to DNR.
Copies of the plan will also be available at the Charles County libraries, the Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management office, The Charlotte Hall Regional Library, DNR’s Nick Carter Library, and on the DNR Web site at: www.dnr.state.md.us/forest/chapmansforest, however, this site will not be active until Dec. 4.
The public comment period will extend from Dec. 4 until Jan. 3, 2003. Comments may be submitted to DNR by email at: Public-Lands-Comment@dnr.state.md.us mailed to: DNR, Resource Planning, E-4, Annapolis, MD 21401, Attention Chapman’s Forest.
Following the public comment period, DNR Secretary J. Charles Fox will review the plan and comments, and consult with Governor Glendening prior to finalizing the plan.
Directions to the CSM, LaPlata campus: from Rt. 5 take Rt. 301 south for six miles. Turn right at the light on Mitchell Road. Proceed two miles; and take the first right into the entrance to campus and follow the signs. Parking is available in the back of the building. For additional directions call the college at: (301) 934-7661or visit www.csm.cc.md.us. For information about the plan or if accommodations are needed at the public meeting for people with disabilities, call (410) 260-8402.
Posted: 11-27-2002
