Governor O’Malley Announces Support for Local Park Improvements in Nine Counties

Baltimore County receives $271,504 to increase convenient access to the athletic fields and community gardens at Northwest Regional Park in Owings Mills. Calvert County gets $168,750 for renovations of the popular outdoor pool at Kings Landing Park in Huntingtown.

Carroll County receives $64,850 for improvements at Bennett Cerf Park in Westminster, including installation of a climbing wall, an new outdoor pavilion and picnic tables; and $90,000 for a new pavilion and expansion of the playground at Robert’s Mill Park in Taneytown. Port Deposit in Cecil County gets $119,773 for improvements to the playground area at Marina Park.

Charles County will receive $63,000 to install energy-efficient outdoor recreational lighting at Laurel Springs Park’s youth baseball field in La Plata. Dorchester County will receive $28,800 for repairs of the parking lot at J. Edward Walter Park in Cambridge.

Thurmont in Frederick County will receive $28,500 to help finance refurbishing one of the original trolley cars that served Thurmont and installing a covered bridge to serve as a pedestrian and bike path to complete the Thurmont Memorial Park trolley trail. Prince Georges County will receive $367,000 to begin a 1.6-mile extension of the 5.7-mile bike, pedestrian and equestrian trails in Henson Creek Stream Valley Park in Temple Hills.

Queen Anne’s County will receive $45,000 for improvements to the athletic fields at Old Love Point Park in Stevensville.

Since 2007, Governor O’Malley and the Board of Public Works have preserved over 9,987 acres of natural areas for public recreation and watershed and wildlife protection across Maryland. Since 1969, Program Open Space has protected more than 327,460 acres with funds from a percentage of the real estate transfer tax. Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded by Program Open Space.

The three-member Board of Public Works, chaired by Governor O’Malley, is comprised of 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.

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY LAUNCHES GREENPRINT, PROPOSES HISTORIC LAND CONSERVATION ACREAGE

Governor announces Rural Legacy Grants and proposes over 9,200 acres of conserved landscape

GreenPrint, Maryland’s new, interactive mapping tool designed to help the State, local governments, conservation organizations, and individual citizens guide land conservation and growth is now on-line.  First conceived under the Governor’s BayStat Initiative, GreenPrint is an innovative, first of its kind planning tool, and centerpiece of Maryland: Smart, Green & Growing, a multi-agency, statewide initiative to create a more sustainable future for Marylanders by linking community revitalization, transportation improvements, economic development, smart growth and natural resources restoration.

“We live in times of great possibility and progress,” said Governor O’Malley. “Using the latest technology and harnessing the achievable hope of our great State’s potential for a more sustainable, healthy environment and economy, we’ve designed GreenPrint to help escalate smart growth and maximize our resources.”

“GreenPrint will revolutionize the way we make our land use decisions by allowing us to work together as One Maryland, using our resources more efficiently and assessing our landscape on parcel, block, neighborhood, watershed and ecosystem levels,” continued the Governor.  “Accessible by every citizen, GreenPrint will help Marylanders take control of planning their communities’ and our State’s future.”

GreenPrint combines cutting edge technology with proven effective management principles Governor O’Malley implemented via StateStat and BayStat to achieve progress by setting goals and measuring success in addressing Maryland’s challenges – in this case, the challenges presented by the tremendous population growth projected for our State in the years ahead. Towson University‘s Center for Geographic Information Sciences played a pivotal role in developing GreenPrint with the State.

“GreenPrint is a strong, science-based tool for identifying the most important places to conserve in Maryland.  This tool ensures that state resources are wisely spent on our most important natural areas,” said Nat Williams, Director of The Nature Conservancy of Maryland/DC.

More than 150 conservation leaders and elected officials, including House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, joined Governor O’Malley for today’s historic announcements that included a proposal to acquire 9,242 acres of some of the most ecologically and historically significant forest, farm and shorelines in the State through Program Open Space, as well as the 2009 Rural Legacy grants.  Together, more than eighty percent of these lands lie within a high priority conservation or targeted ecological focus areas and exemplify the benefit of GreenPrint.  If approved by the Board of Public Works, these proposed acquisitions, will more than double the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s land conservation progress.

“Nothing less than a concerted conservation effort is needed to preserve valued state lands and ensure a healthier, more sustainable environment that benefits our communities,” stated Congressman Steny Hoyer. “Maryland has long been a leader in these efforts and today’s announcements mark important steps toward ensuring that future generations may experience and cherish the wonderful landscapes with which we have been blessed.  I particularly want to commend Governor O’Malley, Secretary Griffin, and the Conservation Fund, for their efforts to conserve nearly 3,500 acres of environmentally sensitive and historic lands along the Potomac River in Charles and St. Mary’s Counties and look forward to partnering on these and other efforts in the future.”

Under the program, the State Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, The Nature Conservancy, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources hope to preserve the largest privately-owned forest parcel in the state. Located in the Nassawango Creek and Pocomoke River watersheds, the 4,769-acre Foster property borders the state’s certified sustainably-managed Pocomoke and Chesapeake State Forests, and received one of the highest ecological rankings to date under the Governor’s new Program Open Space targeting system.

“The Foster property is just such a priority, and its protection by the State, together with The Nature Conservancy’s holdings at our Nassawango Creek Preserve, will create an expansive natural gem that future generations of Marylanders will be able to enjoy for years to come,” added Williams.

The second acquisition, brokered by The Conservation Fund, will protect 4,473+ acres known as the Maryland Province properties in St. Mary’s, Charles, and Cecil Counties.  With 19+ miles of Potomac River waterfront and a majority of the land in continuous ownership since the early 1600s, the opportunity to safeguard wildlife habitat, forestland and water quality of the Chesapeake Bay on these ecologically and culturally significant properties may never arise again.  Captain John Smith, as well as Native American communities and early Catholic leaders, traveled or lived on these lands and waters. Conservation of the Province properties would increase public access to the Chesapeake Bay as well as offer unique historical and environmental education opportunities as three of the parcels will serve as integral parts of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.

“The Conservation Fund is pleased to assist the State with the purchase of more than 4,000 acres of irreplaceable land — land rich in history that becomes a legacy for Maryland’s citizens,” said Bill Crouch, Maryland representative of The Conservation Fund. “This project illustrates the value of GreenPrint and the wisdom of protecting historically and ecologically significant land for Marylanders to experience and enjoy. We commend the Governor’s commitment to protecting our heritage, even in times when budgets are tight. He knows that opportunities like this one come along only once in forever.”

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin, who chairs the Rural Legacy Advisory Board, announced that 20 counties will receive a combined total of $13,460,700 in Rural Legacy grants to help preserve agricultural, forestry, natural and cultural resources.  (See chart linked below).  Under Gov. O’Malley’s BayStat Initiative, land conservation investments are targeted to protect the most ecologically valuable properties that most directly impact Chesapeake Bay and local waterway health.

“These Rural Legacy grants help local governments and land trusts preserve Maryland’s scenic working landscapes, support sustainable, natural-resourced based local businesses, protect greenways, and maintain the fabric of rural life,” said Secretary Griffin.

Enacted by the General Assembly in 1997, Maryland’s Rural Legacy Program has provided more than $174.6 million to protect 60,882 acres of valuable farmland, forests, and natural areas. The 11-member Rural Legacy Advisory Committee and the Rural Legacy Board, which is comprised of Maryland’s Agriculture, Natural Resources and Planning Secretaries, reviews competitive grant applications annually.

Since taking office in January 2007, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has made steady progress to restore the health of the Bay including the creation of BayStat, an innovative tracking and targeting tool, creation of the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund, passage landmark Clean Cars legislation, stringent power plant emission controls regulations, passage of new stormwater legislation, full funding of Program Open Space, update of the State’s Critical Areas Laws, creation of the Maryland Climate Change Commission; restoration of the Office of Smart Growth; and a leadership role in the creation of the first auction of greenhouse gas emission credits in America.

To access GreenPrint, visit http://www.greenprint.maryland.gov. Visit http://dnrweb.dnr.state.md.us/download/greenprint/ for a fact sheet on the proposed Program Open Space acquisitions; resolution photos, maps, and aerial b-roll footage of the Province properties; and a county by county list of the FY 2009 Rural Legacy grants.

PRESERVATION OF OVER 615 ACRES OF FOREST AND FARM LAND IN CECIL, DORCHESTER AND WICOMICO COUNTIES

The Board of Public Works has approved preservation of more than 615 acres of forest and farm land in Cecil, Dorchester and Wicomico counties through Maryland’s Rural Legacy Program.

“These conservation easements protect the culture, environment, and history of our rural communities, while enabling landowners to continue to own and use their property for agricultural production and personal enjoyment,” said Governor O’Malley. “The success of Maryland’s nationally recognized Rural Legacy Program would not be possible without our partnership with local governments, land trusts and private landowners.”

In Cecil County, the board approved $457,695 to acquire a conservation easement on a 52-acre farm near Fair Hill.

In Dorchester County, the board approved $731,000 to acquire a conservation easement on a 271-acre farm in the Nanticoke River Rural Legacy Area.

In Wicomico County, the board approved $709,571 to acquire a conservation easement on a 292-acre property in the Quantico Creek Rural Legacy Area.

Since 1997, Maryland’s Rural Legacy Program has provided funding to preserve more than 58,595 acres of forest and farm land throughout the state to protect the rural character of the state’s communities from sprawl development.

Chaired by Governor O’Malley, the Board of Public Works is also comprised of Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot. The Board is authorized by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.

DNR NEWS BRIEFS

DNR Completes Shore Erosion Control Project For Little Deal Island

DNR recently completed a shoreline erosion control and environmental restoration project to protects a portion of the eroding shoreline on the 225-acre Little Deal Island in Somerset County.  The project will help reduce sedimentation of a nearby channel leading into Wenona Harbor fishing village.

“This year-long project helps to preserve a valuable Wildlife Management Area on the Eastern Shore that is popular with bird watchers, anglers, photographers, boaters, waterfowl hunters and hikers,” said Len Casanova, director of Shoreline Conservation and Management Service at DNR.  Click here for full press release.

Atlantic Population Canada Goose Season Opens November 15

The first portion of Maryland’s Atlantic Population (AP) Canada goose hunting season opens Saturday, November 15. The AP Canada goose season is split into two parts, running from November 15 to November 28 and then from December 18 to January 24. The daily bag limit is two Canada geese.

“Banding crews on the Ungava Peninsula encountered large numbers of goslings, indicating that gosling production was good. The high proportion of juveniles in the fall population should make for great goose hunting, as birds should decoy well during the first couple weeks of the hunting season,” said Larry Hindman, DNR’s Waterfowl Project Leader.

Small Game Seasons Provide Ample Hunting Opportunities

Hunting seasons for upland game species including cottontail rabbits and bobwhite quail start on Saturday, November 1.  Seasons for other small game species including squirrels and ruffed grouse are already underway.  Hunters should note that bobwhite quail hunting at Millington Wildlife Management Area in Kent County will be prohibited again this season.

Furbearer Trapping & Hunting Seasons Begin in November

Trapping seasons for terrestrial furbearers (opossum, raccoon, weasel, skunk, fisher, red and gray fox, and coyote) open on November 1 for in areas of Maryland that are west of the Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River.  Seasons in the remainder of the state open on November 15 for these species.

Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative to Create New Reef Near Choptank River

Friday, Oct. 31 at 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Reporters to board the Intigator at the Cambridge Boat Ramp

End of Franklin Street, behind the Dorchester General Hospital in Cambridge (Dorchester County)

MARI partners including DNR, the Maryland Saltwater Sportfisherman’s Association, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and NOAA will set more than 130 artificial reef balls with more than 400,000 young oysters to create the Cook’s Point Reef at the mouth of the Choptank River.

VOLUNTEERS TO PLANT 1,000 TREES NEAR BLACKWATER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Saturday, Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

2145 Key Wallace Drive in Cambridge (Dorchester County)

Approximately 30 volunteers from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will assist DNR and the Dorchester County Soil Conservation District in planting 1,000 native trees and shrubs along the Little Blackwater River.  Restoration of the natural buffer on the property recently preserved by Governor Martin O’Malley through Program Open Space will help to protect and improve water quality and wildlife habitat.  The site will also serve as a new public access launch for canoes and kayaks in the near future.

Draft Oyster EIS Public Comment Meeting

Fri., Nov. 14 at 6 p.m.
Minnette Dick Memorial Hall, 2000 Hambrooks Blvd. in Cambridge (Dorchester County)

EASTON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, DNR, OYSTER RECOVERY PARTNERSHIP, WATERMEN TO PREPARE & DELIVER OYSTER CAGES TO TALBOT RESIDENTS

Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 3 p.m.

Pier at NOAA-DNR Cooperative Oxford Lab, South Morris Street in Oxford (Talbot County)

More than 100 Talbot County residents along the Tred Avon River have volunteered to host and help care for young oysters as part of Marylanders Grow Oysters, a new citizen oyster growing initiative created by Governor Martin O’Malley.  Students and teachers from Easton High School will assist DNR, the Oyster Recovery Partnership, and watermen in filling the cages with young oysters and delivering the cages to Talbot County residents.

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES NEW CITIZEN OYSTER-GROWING PROGRAM, MARYLAND OYSTER PLANTING RECORD

State and Partners Plant Nearly One-Half Billion Oysters in 2008; Create Stewardship Project to Grow One Million Young Oysters over the Next Year

Governor Martin O’Malley kicked off a new partnership aimed at increasing citizen involvement in oyster restoration, on Sept. 24. He said Maryland has planted more than 485 million oysters in the Chesapeake Bay this year, a one-year record.  The Governor was joined by citizens, staff and partners as he placed the first stewardship cages at the home of Hope and Anthony Harrington along the Tred Avon River.

“The irreplaceable value and role of oysters in our Bay gives rise to the need for escalating restoration efforts.  I’m very proud that Maryland’s work with the Oyster Recover Partnership and our other key partners has resulted in an historic planting effort this year,” said Governor O’Malley.  “We recognize each of us must play a role to help re-establish the healthy oyster populations that are critical to the Bay’s ecology, our culture and our economy.  To build on this year’s planting success, we are embarking on a pilot project to engage waterfront property owners as caretakers of young oysters during their first year of life.”

Because of oysters’ unique filtering abilities and the vital habitat for aquatic life they create, Maryland and its partners continue to enhance and improve large-scale native oyster restoration efforts. Increased hatchery capacity at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point facility in Cambridge has enabled more than 1.4 billion oysters to be planted since 2000 on 1,100 acres of once-productive oyster reefs.

“Whether there are 1,000 oysters growing in an oyster cage or 100 million oysters being planted in the Choptank River, Oysters are critical to the Bay’s long-term recovery,” said Oyster Recovery Partnership Chairman Dr. Torrey C. Brown.  “The strong leadership of Governor O’Malley and Department of Natural Resources Secretary John Griffin on this issue, along with the early and continuing support of Senator Barbara Mikulski, have enabled the partners to build both in-the-water and on-the-ground infrastructure and production capacity that we enjoy today.”

In its pilot stage, Marylanders Grow Oysters: Citizens Working to Restore the Chesapeake Bay, is inviting Talbot County waterfront property owners along the Tred Avon River, a tributary of the Choptank River, to grow oysters from their pier using cages built by inmates at the Eastern Correctional Institution, and young oysters provided by the partnership.

The project is designed to inspire more Marylanders do what they can in their own lives and workplaces to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and the rivers that feed into it.

“My husband and I are more than pleased to be part of this new State initiative to restore a healthy oyster population and, ultimately, the health of the Bay,” said Hope Harrington, the first homeowner to enroll in the program.  “Active citizen involvement in this project is the key element to its success.  We have widened the buffers on our shoreline to act as filters, planted a native grass and wildflower meadow to create habitat, have applied to the State for an osprey nesting platform and feel very fortunate to now be part of this terrific oyster restoration project.  We hope very much that our neighbors along the Tred Avon will join us.”

The partnership hopes to enlist 250 homeowners to place 4 oyster cages each off their piers by the end of October.  After a 9 to 12 month growing period, the oysters will be planted on a protected sanctuary in the Tred Avon River.

“We appreciate the willingness of homeowners who’ve already signed up to allow their pier to serve as a temporary home and provide the protection needed to give these young oysters an better chance for early survival and maximize their ecological contribution to the Bay,” said DNR Secretary John R. Griffin.  “We hope that more residents along the Tred Avon River waterfront will join this effort to rejuvenate aquatic life in the river and Chesapeake Bay.”

Established by Governor O’Malley, the Marylanders Grow Oysters project, is a cooperative effort of concerned citizens, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Talbot County, and the Oyster Recovery Partnership.  The oyster cages were constructed by inmates under the supervision of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.  The Chesapeake Bay Trust provided funding for the initiative.

“This project gave inmates meaningful work that they are truly proud of, knowing that the community and Chesapeake Bay are benefiting from their work,” said DPSCS Secretary Gary Maynard.

Additional oyster restoration efforts underway in Maryland include creating structured habitat to enhance oyster reproduction; planting hatchery produced oysters on existing and historical oyster bars; prohibiting oyster harvest in some areas; and regulating the fishery to limit the number of oysters harvested annually.  For more information about Marylanders Grow Oysters visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/oysterproject

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY STATEMENT ON FEDERAL BLUE CRAB DISASTER DECLARATION

Governor Martin O’Malley commended the support and leadership of Maryland’s Congressional Delegation today and thanked Department of Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez for the federal fishery disaster declaration for the Chesapeake Bay blue crab.

“We are grateful to Senators Mikulski and Cardin, and our congressional delegation for their leadership in working with the Department of Commerce to secure this critical designation for Maryland’s watermen.  Maryland’s blue crab and the traditional fishing industry that it supports face difficult times and the federal funding accompanying the disaster designation will help to preserve the infrastructure of Maryland’s hallmark blue crab fishery, and ensure an active fishery for the future.

This declaration not only helps restore the blue crab population, but it also ensures that the livelihood of our State’s watermen continues to be sustained. While we work with the industry on the State level to rebuild stocks and restructure the fishery, this federal action will help sustain the livelihoods of Maryland’s watermen, whose work is so vital to Maryland’s economy.”

Earlier this year, the O’Malley/Brown Administration coordinated historic action with Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine to rebuild the Chesapeake Bay’s beleaguered blue crab population by reducing the harvest of ecologically valuable female blue crabs by 34 percent in 2008. In May 2008, Governors O’Malley and Kaine requested a disaster assistance evaluation from NOAA‘s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for Chesapeake Bay watermen and women who have suffered economic hardships due to the extremely low and unstable blue crab abundance.  Finding that due to adverse environmental conditions including habitat loss, water quality decline, an overabundance of native and non-native predators, and decimation of key blue crab prey, economic losses to the region’s blue crab fishing industry have accumulated over the last decade, the U.S. Department of Commerce today declared a state of disaster for the fishery.

Pelican Census Finds Largest Number of Nesting Pairs in Bay’s History

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Holland Island, Md. — The recent colonial shorebird census compiled by the ryland Department of Natural Resources found 1,042 nesting brown pelican (Pelicanus occidentalis) pairs in the Chesapeake Bay, the largest number in recorded history.

“Pelicans are relatively new to the bay ecosystem, and not something that Captain John Smith would have seen during his historic explorations,” explained DNR biologist Dave Brinker. “Climate change – warmer weather and milder, shorter winters – may be encouraging pelicans to expand their northernmost Atlantic Coast habitat into the Chesapeake Bay.”

DNR biologist Dave Brinker discovered Maryland’s first-ever recorded nesting pair of brown pelicans 1987. Every summer since then, Brinker has lead teams of biologists and volunteers to band 95 percent (more than 18,000) of the pelican chicks raised in the bay’s isolated islands. From just five known nesting pairs in 1987, the number of brown pelican pairs in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay grew to 141 in 1999 and 1,042 in 2008.

Weighing just 8 to 10 pounds, a brown pelican’s 6 ½ foot to 7 ½ foot wingspan enables it to travel hundreds of miles every year. Brown pelicans from the mid-Atlantic population are believed to be the most migratory of the species, with Maryland as the northernmost state with successful nesting pairs. Brown pelicans arrive in the Chesapeake Bay to nest and breed beginning in mid-March. After spending the summer feeding on menhaden, shad and other fish, the migratory birds leave the Chesapeake for warmer winter weather in Florida and northern Central America.

“If you see pelicans, do not feed them,” urged Brinker. “Feeding pelicans and other migratory birds distracts them from their natural migration behavior, which can be deadly for pelicans.”

Last month, the Maryland Commission on Climate Change appointed by Governor Martin O’Malley released a Climate Action Plan that detailed the effects of global warming facing our state and recommended actions to protect Maryland’s people, land, and investments from rising sea levels and changing weather patterns. Under the O’Malley/Brown Administration, Maryland is reducing global warming pollution through: the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative; the Clean Cars Act; EMPOWER Maryland; increasing Renewable Portfolio Standards; enacting living shorelines requirements; strengthening the Critical Areas Act to protect sensitive shorelines; adopting new green building standards for public buildings and investing in green technology for schools; transitioning the state’s fleet to hybrid buses; fully funding land conservation programs; improving mass transit options; and encouraging smart growth in BRAC development zones. For more information visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/dnrnews/infocus/climatechange.html.

Governor O’Malley Congratulates Maryland Fishing Challenge Finale Winners & Contestants

Sept. 13 was good luck to some anglers, as Governor Martin O’Malley presented them with prizes valued at more than $50,000   at the 2008 Maryland Fishing Challenge finale.  More than 1,100 enthusiastic anglers and their families attended the contest’s fourth annual closing event held on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay at Sandy Point State Park.

“Maryland anglers make a tremendous contribution to our state’s economy and play a significant role in the stewardship of our waterways and our aquatic life,” said Governor O’Malley. “The increased participation by children in this year’s contest brings hope not only to the future of this beloved pastime, but to the future of our natural resources.”

New life was brought to this year’s contest, as participation increased from last year’s 224 qualifying entrants to 1,345 anglers from 24 U.S. states, Canada, and Brazil this year.  New this year, a youth challenge qualified children, who participated in five community fishing derbies held across the state, to win unique guided fishing trips.

Walking away with the two grand prizes selected by random drawing were Fred Menage of Edgewater, Md. and Edir Sauerbronn Dos Santos of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Menage’s catch of a 40.25-inch striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay just below the Thomas Point Lighthouse won him a 2008 Toyota TUNDRA from Central Maryland Toyota. Menage, aged 69, weighed his fish in at 24 lbs. at Marty’s Tackle in Mayo. Md.

“It was beautiful and delicious,” said Menage, describing his catch. “I’ve been fishing my whole life and this one turned out to be my lucky fish. It’s unbelievable and so very exciting that I won this Toyota truck.  It will be the first truck I’ve ever owned.”

Dos Santos’ first catch ever in the Chesapeake Bay, a 42-inch striped bass caught aboard the Beach Comber out of Chesapeake Beach, Md. landed him a TRACKER boat, trailer and motor package from Bass Pro Shops.  Dos Santos was represented by his son-in-law Eric Hoffman of Dundalk, Md. today, who was also aboard for the lucky catch.

“Fishing is a great family activity that enables us all to get out on the water for some good, safe fun,” said Hoffman.  “Each of us caught great sized fish that day during our families’ fishing trip aboard a local charterboat.  We are looking forward to going out more on this gorgeous new boat.”

Additional finalists, Hunter Betz, an 11-year old angler from York, Pa., Mike Currie of Leonardtown, Md. and James Harrison of Annapolis, Md. won Bill’s Outdoor Center prize packages worth $1,500 each, and a $2,500 Boater’s World gift card, respectively. A TAG Heuer Formula 1 watch valued at more than $800 was also awarded by Smyth Jewelers to Nathaniel Rowe of Hagerstown, Md.

Lucky young anglers from across the state were awarded guided fishing trips:

ü Neil Villaneuve of Rosedale, Md.

ü Jessica Sheets of Jessup, Md.

ü Christian Connally of Bowie, Md.

ü Jacob Toomey of Pittsville, Md.

ü Layne Dittmar of Baltimore, Md.

ü Lacie Thomas of Baltimore, Md.

ü Nyja Morris of Clinton, Md.

ü Paul Anderson of Bowie, Md.

ü Morgan Rose of Salisbury, Md.

ü Nicole Bertazon of Halethorpe, Md.

ü Donald Jones, Jr. of Baltimore, Md.

The guided youth fishing trips were donated by:

ü Val Lynch of the Ocean City Marlin Club (for four kids and four mentors)

ü Maryland Charter Boat Association, Inc. (for three kids and three mentors)

ü Bill’s Outdoor Center on Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland (for 2 kids and 2 mentors)

ü Ed Liccionne and David Sutherland of the Maryland Legislative Sportsman’s Foundation

ü Avid fly fisherman and co-author of the Guide to Maryland Trout Fishing Larry Coburn of Laurel, Md.

ü ESPN featured guide, Captain “Walleye” Pete Dahlberg of St. L,eonard, Md.

ü Steve Linhard of Annapolis, Md.

ü Ed Keller’s of Hagerstown, Md.’s Potomac Guide Service

ü Andy Andrewjeski off Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland

“We hope our annual fishing challenge gave first time and experienced anglers an incentive to take advantage of Maryland’s great fishing opportunities, and particularly to share their passion for the sport with the next generation,” said DNR Deputy Secretary Eric Schwaab.

Organized by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the 2008 Maryland Fishing Challenge ran from Saturday, April 12 through Labor Day, September 1. While the contest offered a potential cash prize of up to $25,000 from Boater’s World and a $5,000 diamond from Smyth Jewelers for the capture the Diamond Jim, the bay’s most famous fish eluded anglers again this year.  All prizes for the Challenge were donated.

More than 60 species of fish were citation-eligible, including large and smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, musky and pan fish in the freshwaters of Maryland; rockfish (striped bass), bluefish, drum, sea trout and perch in the Chesapeake Bay; and tuna, marlin, flounder, kingfish and sea bass on the ocean-side.

“We are also very luck to have our Governor, Martin O’Malley, who from day one, rolled up his sleeves and went to work for Maryland’s fishermen and our environment, particularly the Chesapeake Bay,” added Schwaab.  “It is thanks to his commitment to our children and our environment that we are rebuilding our beleaguered Chesapeake Bay blue crab population, charting a new, sustainable course for fisheries management, and strategically targeting our conservation dollars to get the maximum attainable results for taxpayers.”

Governor O’Malley continues to make conserving and restoring our natural resources a priority though a more balanced budget that includes an additional $25 million in funding for Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts; fully funding Program Open Space; an additional $750,000 to improve fisheries management and restore habitat; an enhancement of more than $4 million to ensure sustainable management and quality outdoor recreational opportunities in our state parks; and $3 million for new Chesapeake Bay oyster and habitat restoration projects.

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY APPLAUDS SENATOR CARDIN’S LEGISLATION HONORING HARRIET TUBMAN

State and National Park to Honor Legendary Leader of the Underground Railroad

CAMBRIDGE, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley today welcomed federal legislation in support of a federal and state park honoring Harriet Tubman, an ardent abolitionist and legendary leader of the Underground Railroad.

“The new Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park Visitor’s Center will provide a long overdue, permanent tribute and gateway into the life of the Maryland-born American patriot whose courage, leadership, and legacy serve today as a model for us all,” said Governor O’Malley.  “Thanks to the efforts of Senators Benjamin Cardin and Barbara Mikulski, our partnership with the federal government will greatly enhance Maryland’s efforts to help people of all walks of life appreciate and explore Harriet Tubman’s historic journey.”

The new state park will mark an important milestone for Dorchester County, which was the only county in Maryland without a state park. It is the culmination of a partnership between federal, state and local officials and several citizens groups who sought to honor the important role Tubman and the Underground Railroad played in Maryland’s history.

Governor O’Malley has committed $1.6 million in the FY 2009 budget to finance the center’s design, which will serve as a national model and destination for sustainable and environmentally sensitive building. Maryland will select the architectural team to design the visionary center next month.

In July, Senators Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski introduced The Harriet Tubman National Historical Park and The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park Act, which would establish two parks, one in Maryland and one in New York, to honor Tubman. The National Historical Park in Maryland will trace Tubman’s early life on the Eastern Shore, where she was born and later escaped from slavery to become one of the most eloquent spokespersons of the Abolitionist cause. She is credited with helping more than 300 men and women escape slavery through the Underground Railroad.  The National Historical Park in New York will focus on her later years in Auburn where she was active in the suffrage movement and in providing for the welfare of aged African Americans.

The bill authorizes up to $11 million in grants that can be used for construction of the Harriet Tubman State Park Visitors Center in Maryland and for easements or acquisitions of property inside or adjacent to the Historical Park boundaries.   Senators Cardin and Mikulski have secured preliminary approval of $500,000 in next year’s federal budget that can be used to begin design on trail connections and infrastructure for the new Visitors Center.

“Harriet Tubman was a true American patriot, for whom liberty and freedom were not just concepts,” said Senator Cardin.  “She lived those principles and shared that freedom with hundreds of others.  These two parks will make it possible for Marylanders and the entire nation to trace her life’s work and remember all that she was able to accomplish.”

“Harriet Tubman was a courageous fighter who delivered 300 slaves to freedom on her Underground Railroad and was tireless in her commitment to fight for those who could not fight themselves. Her life continues to inspire me,” said Senator Mikulski. “That’s why I am proud to fight for legislation that will honor, preserve and protect her legacy.”

“This partnership honors a great American hero and engages all Americans in conservation,” said Charles Jordan, board member and former chairman of The Conservation Fund. “We commend Senators Cardin and Mikulski and Governor O’Malley for their commitment to protecting Maryland‘s eastern shore for current and future generations.”

“Today is a day that Harriet Tubman would be so thankful for – that her work and humanitarian struggles and social achievements are part of American history.  Her life story is a history lesson in itself by encouraging ordinary people to do extraordinary things and overcome social injustices no matter how great the risk,” said Donald Pinder, President of the Harriet Tubman Organization.