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Copyright
1998-99
TheChesapeake
Bay.com
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Governor Glendening Announces Protection For Important Endangered Species Habitat

Continuing to ensure protection of important habitat for threatened and endangered species in Maryland, Governor Parris N. Glendening today announced Board of Public Works approval of the use of $674,000 from the Department of Natural Resources Program Open Space, to purchase three properties totaling more than 560 acres.

"Protection of these properties will add significantly to the preservation of the diversity of Maryland's ecosystems, as well as offering unparalleled opportunities for scientific study, conservation education and wildlife protection," Governor Glendening said.

The properties acquired are:

  • The 130-acre Beiler property in Kent County ($292,000), which includes a breeding pond used by tiger salamanders, a species endangered in Maryland. The pond is the most consistent producer of these salamanders in the State. Along with the pond, the property contains 56 acres of woods and wetlands. The remainder of the property is currently farmed, and will be allowed to revert to forestland in order to increase habitat for the tiger salamanders;

  • The 332-acre Coile property in Allegany County ($280,000), which contains a globally rare, and Maryland endangered plant species; and

  • The 106-acre Church property in Allegany County ($102,000) which contains a high-quality shale glade community with two rareor endangered plant species.

The Nature Conservancy played a key role in these acquisitions, negotiating the sales and acquiring the properties on behalf of the State, as they became available. The Nature Conservancy's Maryland Director Nat Williams noted, "The acquisition of these properties continues our important partnership with the State, protecting and preserving rare and endangered species habitat across Maryland."

In 1986 the General Assembly established the Heritage Conservation Fund as part of Program Open Space. The fund supports the State's acquisition of lands which support rare, threatened or endangered species, diverse plant and animal communities, unique ecological areas, wilderness areas, forests and wetlands. Since it was established, the Heritage Conservation Fund has contributed to the protection and preservation of more than 9,700 acres.

Chaired by Governor Glendening, the Board of Public Works also is comprised of Comptroller William Donald Schaefer and Treasurer Richard N. Dixon. The Board is authorized by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.

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