195 Acres Permanently Protected in Washington County

Board of Public Works Approves Two Department Items

The Board of Public Works unanimously approved two Maryland Department of Natural Resources items today that will permanently protect 195 acres in Washington County through the department’s Rural Legacy and Conservation Reserve Enhancement permanent easement programs.

The two easements will complete the protection of the entire Pleasant Valley Livestock, LLC property in Smithsburg.

“The department leveraged its long-standing partnership with Washington County to permanently conserve and preserve this pristine land and waterway,” Maryland Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton said. “Our easements will cover productive and working farmland, streamside forests, natural areas and wetlands, and safeguard the viewshed and water quality.”

The Rural Legacy Program easement protects 105 acres of cultivated fields, farm operation and homestead areas, while the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program easement protects the remaining 89 acres of forested slopes and stream valley corridor.

Together, these programs, with the assistance of Program Open Space, will enhance stream buffers on Little Antietam Creek and protect wildlife habitat.