BPW also Approves Conservation of More Than 323 Acres Near Blackwater Wildlife National Management Area
Governor Martin O’Malley announced Board of Public Works approval of the purchase of the historic Nanticoke Inn in Vienna, which will become a waterfront visitor’s center for the John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.
The Captain John Smith National Historic Trail commemorates the explorations of Captain Smith on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in 1607-1609. It is the first national water trail in the United States and a key part of a long-term strategy to ensure stewardship of the Nanticoke River involving Maryland, Delaware, and federal, local, and non-profit organizations.
“Working together, we are taking steps to ensure protection of the natural and cultural legacy of this beautiful river, which remains in places very similar to how it appeared 400 years ago when Captain Smith first explored it,” Governor O’Malley said. “The visitor’s center will be a handsome entry point to this important recreational resource in Vienna, one of the oldest settlements in Maryland and a town once known as the Pearl of the Nanticoke.”
“The Nanticoke River is a premier component of the newly established Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. The board’s decision today will create valuable public access,” said Charles Stek, chairman of Friends of the John Smith Chesapeake Trail.
The board approved the $550,000 acquisition through State Program Open Space (POS).
“We commend the board for its action. The board’s decision takes a big step toward our goal of revitalizing our downtown and completing our Greenbelt Plan,” Vienna Mayor Russell B. Brinsfield said.
In June, the BPW approved acquisition of more than 275 acres that will be used to establish a greenbelt around the western and southern borders of Vienna, ensuring the town will continue to be surrounded by farms, forests and natural wildlife habitat as outlined in its comprehensive plan.
The Vienna Greenbelt was one of the first projects rated under Maryland’s new Program Open Space Stateside Targeting System. The ecologically based targeting approach was developed last year under Governor O’Malley’s BayStat Initiative to ensure the state is protecting the most strategically important landscapes to provide a lasting legacy for future generations.
The board also approved acquisition of more than 323 acres near the Blackwater Wildlife National Management Area from the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy for more than $2.8 million.
Consisting of 218 acres of forests and forested non-tidal wetlands, the property also is a high priority conservation acquisition under the Program Open Space Stateside Targeting System.
Since 2007, Governor O’Malley and the BPW have preserved more than 3,305 acres of natural areas for public recreation and watershed and wildlife protection across Maryland. Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for acquisition of 324,125 acres for open space and recreation areas. Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded Program Open Space.
source: DNR press release
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