Public Input Sought for State Lake Funding

Maryland Approved $3 Million for Protection and Restoration

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will host five open house events to solicit public input to help develop a work plan for the new State Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund, which will provide $1 million for each of the next three years to improve state-owned lakes.

The department will develop a budget for best use of these funds in coordination with local governments, organizations and citizens. 

The funds can be used for removing sediment, treating contaminated sediment, preventing the spread of invasive species, improving ecological and recreational value and any other action the department deems necessary at any or all of 16 lakes throughout Maryland.

The public is invited to join staff to provide direct input on the following lakes at their corresponding meeting locations, between 2 and 6 p.m.:

Greenbrier Lake, Hunting Creek Lake (Cunningham Falls State Park) and Blairs Valley Lake – Nov. 20 at Greenbrier State Park, 21843 National Pike, Boonsboro

St. Mary’s Lake and Myrtle Grove Lake – Nov. 27 at the College of Southern Maryland, La Plata Campus, Center for Business and Industry, Room 103/104

Deep Creek Lake, Herrington Lake, Lake Habeeb (Rocky Gap State Park), New Germany Lake, Savage River Reservoir – Nov. 29 at New Germany State Park Lakehouse, McAndrews Hill Road, Grantsville

Wye Mills Lake, Urieville Lake, Unicorn, Smithville Lake, Tuckahoe Reservoir – Dec. 3 at Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely

Clopper Lake – Dec. 11 Dec. 5 at Seneca Creek State Park, 11950 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg

Updates and additional information will be posted on the department’s website at dnr.maryland.gov.

Anyone who cannot attend an open house, but wishes to provide feedback should contact Mike Naylor at mike.naylor@maryland.gov.