Natural Resources News
NRP Blotter
Two men were charged with poaching 35 striped bass off Kent Narrows
Two men were charged on Saturday by a Maryland Natural Resources Police officer with poaching 35 striped bass while fishing from a boat off Kent Narrows.
Alexis Gustavo Corrales Osorio, 24, of Davidsonville, and Elvis Jose Corrales Rodas, 35, of Alexandria, Va., were charged with fishing without a Chesapeake Bay sport fishing license, exceeding the daily limit, keeping undersized striped bass and possessing striped bass between midnight and 5 a.m.
The officer saw the two men fishing, asked to check their cooler and found the illegal catch.
Osorio and Rodas are scheduled to appear in Queen Anne’s District Court on Nov. 19. If found guilty of all charges, each man could be fined as much as $4,000. Read more…
Maryland Works to Preserve and Revitalize Working Waterfronts
Grants Available to Municipalities and Counties
Cambridge Creek; Photo by Graham Slaughter
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking proposals from local governments designed to protect and invigorate coastal communities and waterfront economies. Municipalities and counties in the coastal zone are eligible to apply for these one-year National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association grants through DNR’s Working Waterfronts Program.
The Working Waterfronts Program provides financial and technical assistance to local governments to promote and aid the preservation of existing and historic working waterfronts in Maryland, including cities and towns that provide access to the water and related activities such as fishing, boating and the marine trades.
Hyattsville Boy Wins Boat Grand Prize at Maryland Fishing Challenge Finale
Grand Prize winner, Luke Adams, with his new boat
DNR awards more than $40,000 in cash and prizes
More than $40,000 in cash, prizes and merchandise was awarded to lucky anglers this morning at the 2015 Maryland Fishing Challenge Finale. Nearly 2,000 people, including sponsors, contestants and their guests, attended the celebration held in conjunction with the Maryland Seafood Festival at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. Read more…
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Announces New Fisheries Director
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the appointment of David Blazer as the new director of fisheries. In this capacity, Blazer will manage the state’s fisheries by keeping balance with the ecosystem, while providing high quality, diverse and accessible fishing opportunities.
“The common thread throughout his career is his demonstrated ability to bring a range of diverse stakeholders together for a common goal,” DNR Secretary Mark Belton said. “His environmental, management and policy experience – and firsthand knowledge of the department – will serve the state and its natural resources well.”
NRP Logs Busy Labor Day Weekend with Rescues and Arrests
The traditional final weekend of summer proved to be a busy one for the men and women of Maryland Natural Resources Police.
For the three-day Labor Day holiday, officers responded to 15 boating accidents that resulted in injury or property damage, arrested six people on charges of impaired boating and seven others on criminal charges. They wrote 437 tickets and issued 1,204 warnings. Officers across the state conducted 1,983 boat safety inspections, spoke with 3,587 anglers and 235 hunters.
Read more…
Record-Breaking Number of Bear Hunt Applicants
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received over 4,300 black bear lottery applications this year, which is a 19 percent increase over last year.
“We are excited to kick-off the 2015 bear hunt in western Maryland, which is an important management tool used to slow the growth of the state’s black bear population,” said Harry Spiker, DNR bear biologist.
Read more…
Maryland Deer Archery Season to Open September 11
Archery hunting for white-tailed deer opens statewide in Maryland on Friday, September 11, 2015 and continues through January 30, 2016.
As a reminder, there is a statewide bag limit for bucks of one per weapon season—bow, muzzleloader and firearm. Hunters in Region B have the option to take one additional bonus buck after purchasing a Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp and taking two antlerless deer. The antlerless deer bag limits differ between the two Maryland Deer Management Regions.
Teal Season to Open September 16
The teal hunting season in Maryland will open on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 and continue through Wednesday, September 30, 2015.
Hunters should note several important aspects of the September teal season:
- Shooting hours are one half-hour before sunrise to sunset
- The daily bag limit is six teal (blue or green-winged)
- The possession limit for teal is three times the daily bag limit
Fall Hunting Season Kicks Off in Maryland
Dove Seasons Starts September 1
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is excited to begin another series of hunting seasons across the state today, as several migratory bird seasons traditionally open on the first of September.
“Hunters are reminded to follow the principles taught in their safety classes and courses and abide by all appropriate regulations so they can maintain the safe and ethical reputation earned by Maryland hunters,” said DNR Director of the Wildlife and Heritage Service Paul Peditto. “Get outdoors and into a field this season with friends, family, and maybe even a retriever or two that have spent the summer training for this day and hunting season.” Read more…
Three Eastern Shore WMA’s Temporarily Closed To Waterfowl Hunting
Three Eastern Shore Wildlife Management Areas (WMA’s) or portions of WMA’s in Somerset County have been temporarily closed to waterfowl hunting. The closed areas include crop fields managed for mourning doves where a portion of the crop has been mowed or manipulated. State and federal laws allow dove hunting, but not waterfowl hunting, in areas where a crop has been manipulated.
Read more…
DNR Announces 2015-2016 Late Waterfowl Seasons
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today the 2015-2016 late waterfowl seasons.
Highlights include:
- Youth waterfowl hunting days on November 7, 2015 and February 6, 2016
- Regular duck hunting season segments on October 10-17, November 14-27 and December 15-January 30, with a daily bag limit of six ducks, including two canvasbacks
- Migratory Atlantic Population Canada goose hunting segments on November 21-27 and December 15-February 3, with a daily bag limit of two geese
- Late resident Canada goose hunting segments on November 21-27 and December 15-March 9, with a daily bag limit of five. The Canada goose hunting zone map (i.e. migrant and resident) and the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons flyer are available online.
Maryland to Celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day
Anglers, hunters and anyone interested in the great outdoors are invited to take part in Maryland’s 9th annual National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration. Hosted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), this free event will take place Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore, 11518 Marriottsville Rd., Marriottsville.
Invasive Zebra Mussels Spread Downstream Toward Baltimore Harbor
DNR Calls on Public to Report Suspected Sightings
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently confirmed the presence of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymporha) in tributaries of the upper Western Shore near Middle River in Baltimore County. On August 17, 2015, a waterman alerted DNR Biologist Brenda Davis of small zebra mussels fouling their crab gear off the Gunpowder, Bush and Middle Rivers. The next day, DNR Fisheries Habitat and Ecosystem Program biologists found numerous mussels in aquatic vegetation while trawling Middle River.
NRP Blotter
Worcester County
On August 5, 2015, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers received a report of a theft that had occurred in Worcester County at the Ocean City Fishing Center during the White Marlin Open tournament.
Maryland Environmental Trust Announces New Director
William H. Leahy to Focus on Public Input and Interest
The Board of Trustees of the Maryland Environmental Trust (MET) today announced the hiring of William H. Leahy as its next director. Leahy is a nationally recognized leader in the field of natural resources preservation, with over 20 years of experience in land conservation with a focus on transactional real estate, strategic planning, board development, donor and foundation philanthropy, and partnership building. Read more…
NRP Launches Safe Boating Campaign To Run Through Labor Day
SANDY POINT STATE PARK – Vowing to step up enforcement and outreach to protect Maryland’s boating public, the Maryland Natural Resources Police today outlined a campaign that will run weekends through Labor Day.
Seventeen people have died in boating accidents in Maryland so far this year, two short of the record reached in 2011 and 1996.
Marbury Archer Sets Maryland Snakehead Record
Todd Murphy of Marbury caught a state record, 17.47-pound northern snakehead while fishing with bow and arrow on Mattwoman Creek in the early hours of August 8, beating the previous record of 16.94 pounds set by Teddy McKenzie in 2014.
“I went out on the high tide expecting to find catfish up in the flooded grass,” said Murphy. “I was surprised to find snakeheads instead, and ended up with seven of them and not a single catfish.”
Murphy bagged the record just before 2:30 a.m.
Maryland Announces Early Migratory Game Bird Seasons
The Department of Natural Resources today announced the 2015-2016 early migratory game bird hunting seasons, which mark the traditional start of hunting activity each year in Maryland. Read more…
Lottery Applications for Deal Island and Fairmount Wildlife Management Areas Now Available
Hunters can now apply to take part in the annual permit-only waterfowl hunting days at the Deal Island and Fairmount wildlife management area (WMA) impoundments in Somerset County. Read more…
Project to Treat Two Million Gallons of Stormwater a Year, Prevent Run-off to the Anacostia River
DNR Secretary Mark Belton (standing third from left) joins representatives from the Anacostia Watershed Society, Prince George’s County and the First United Methodist Church
Elected officials, citizens and supporters today joined together at the First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville to dedicate a new stormwater retrofit project that will filter runoff from more than 3 acres of pavement, the first of more than 4,000 acres across Prince George’s County that the state and county will address in an effort to help clean and restore the Anacostia River and the Chesapeake Bay.
Mark Belton, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources; Adam Ortiz, Director for the Department of the Environment for Prince George’s County; Rev. Dr. Yvonne Wallace-Penn, Pastor, First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville; and Jim Foster, President of the Anacostia Watershed Society were on hand to celebrate the project’s completion and participate in a ground healing ceremony that involved planting native trees, shrubs and plants. Read more.
Solar and Wind Power Projects Set for Sandy Point State Park
Upgrades Estimated to Reduce Total Energy Consumption by Nearly Half
One of Maryland’s most popular Chesapeake Bay destinations, Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, will soon become a model of alternative energy with the installation of solar power, wind power and other energy efficient features. The Board of Public Works yesterday approved a $535,870 contract with Baltimore-based Bithenergy to evaluate, design and install park upgrades that will reduce total energy consumption by an estimated 45 percent. Read more…
NRP Charges Angler with 32 Undersized Rockfish; Cites Seafood Dealer for Invasive Species
A Bladensburg man was charged Saturday with catching and keeping 32 undersized striped bass by the Maryland Natural Resources Police.
Camilo Arturo Paez Herrera, 26, received citations for fishing without a license, exceeding the daily creel limit, possessing undersized striped bass and fishing outside legal hours. Read more…
Maryland’s Proposed Late Waterfowl Hunting Seasons Open to Comment
The proposed 2015-2016 late waterfowl hunting seasons and bag limits are now available. The Maryland Department of Natural Resource (DNR) will accept public comment on the proposed regulations through August 17, to be finalized in early September after DNR reviews citizen input and obtains approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Read more…
DNR Offers Exciting New Programs and Exhibits at the State Fair
When it comes to animal magnetism, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is second to none. Meet its collection of critters and the people who know them best at the Maryland State Fair, an end-of summer ritual for tens of thousands of families that begins Aug. 28. Read more…
Maryland Black Bear Lottery is Open
Hunting Limited to Allegany and Garrett Counties
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting applications for this year’s lottery for black bear hunting permits. Successful applicants will receive a permit valid for the four-day black bear hunting season, taking place October 26-29, 2015 in Garrett and Allegany counties. DNR will issue 500 permits.
The annual bear hunt is an important management tool used to slow the growth of Maryland’s black bear population as it expands eastward. Read more…
NRP Charges Glen Burnie Men with Destroying Trees, Wildlife on State Property
Seven Glen Burnie residents were charged Sunday by the Maryland Natural Resources Police with illegally killing wildlife, chopping down trees and having drugs and alcohol in Green Ridge State Forest in Allegany County. Read more…
Maryland to Hold Public Meeting on Waterfowl Regulations
Proposed late season waterfowl hunting regulations will be discussed at a public meeting hosted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources at 7 p.m. on August 13 at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills. DNR will announce the proposed dates and bag limits in early August after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) finalizes its late season framework. Read more…
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Announces Appointment of Assistant Secretary of Land Resources and Director of Communications
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- Daryl Anthony
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- Stephen Schatz
DNR Secretary Mark Belton today announced two new appointments to the department’s leadership team.
Daryl Anthony, a veteran employee who most recently served as western region manager of the Maryland Park Service, has been named assistant secretary of land resources.
Stephen Schatz, an experienced media relations professional with a strong background in public policy communications, joins as the director of communications.
NRP Seizes Venomous Snakes from Allegany Co. Home
Spitting Cobra
A raid of an Allegany County pet shop and home Thursday resulted in the seizure of three venomous snakes and a dozen other snakes. Read more…
NRP Blotter
St. Mary’s watermen charged with harvesting thousands of pounds of undersized croaker
Four St. Mary’s County watermen are scheduled to appear in district court on July 31 on charges they illegally harvested thousands of pounds of undersized croaker and three protected species in the waters of Town Creek, a tributary of the Patuxent River.
Salisbury Angler Sets Winter Flounder Record
Kevin Twilley with his state record five-pound, two-ounce winter flounder
Kevin Twilley of Salisbury caught a Maryland state record five-pound, two-ounce winter flounder on June 23.
Twilley set the mark while bottom fishing in 140 feet of water, 26 miles east of Ocean City aboard the charter boat Fish Bound with Captain Kane Bounds. Read more…
DNR Awards Environmental Literacy Grants for Student Stream Studies
The Department of Natural Resources awarded a total of $400,000 to six nonprofits to engage Maryland K-12 students in studying, monitoring and improving the health of their local streams over the next year. Selected by a review panel of state, federal and nonprofit environmental groups, these projects will educate 15,000 students on their local environment, and help them gain real-world science and conservation skills. Read more…
Invasive Snakeheads Found Above Great Falls
Biologists found a juvenile snakehead in the C&O Canal
Spreading to the Upper Potomac via the C&O Canal
Credible reports of snakehead sightings and results from a Maryland Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service survey indicate that the non-native snakehead species has spread into the C&O Canal and thereby the Upper Potomac River. Read more…
DNR Secures $6 Million to Improve Boating Access at Sites Statewide
From a new boat ramp in Somerset County to citywide harbor upgrades in Annapolis, 59 public water access projects in 19 Maryland counties will receive a total of $6 million in state Waterway Improvement Fund grants for fiscal year 2016. Read more…
Governor Hogan Announces Pollution Reduction Grant Recipients
Photo by Mark Dignen
Fourteen projects will receive grants from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, Gov. Larry Hogan announced today. Selected by the Bay Cabinet and administered by the Department of Natural Resources, these projects are the most cost-effective and efficient initiatives to address polluted runoff and sediment in targeted areas of the state. Read more…
Qualification Shoots Scheduled for Managed Deer Hunts
Maryland’s 2015-2016 Shooter Qualification Schedule is now available and includes more than 20 firearm qualification sessions at 13 locations across the state. These events allow hunters to take the shooting proficiency test that is required before they can participate in many of the managed deer hunts held in Maryland. Read more…
Pistol Range at Elk Neck State Forest to Temporarily Close Weekdays
The pistol range at Elk Neck State Forest will be closed Monday through Friday from July 27 through August 28 for scheduled enhancements. The pistol range will operate on normal hours Saturday and Sunday (9 a.m. to sunset). There will be no disruption of services to the rifle, shotgun or archery ranges. Read more…
North Point State Battlefield Opens to Public
Gearing up for Sept. celebration
Reclaimed from a once-vacant lot in an urbanized section of Dundalk, North Point State Battlefield is now open to the public. The park preserves nine acres of open land which represent the last undeveloped parcel from the historic battle site. Read more…
Waterfowl Blind Site Licensing Dates and Locations Announced
Starting August 4 at locations statewide, hunters may apply for a 2015-2016 waterfowl blind site license. Opening-day applicants will be entered into a lottery drawing for the first chance to pick their sites. Read more…
NRP Blotter
Two men were charged last weekend for impaired boating on Deep Creek Lake by Maryland Natural Resources Police officers.
Adam Benjamin Harnish, 25, of Lexington Park, was stopped by officers when they noticed he was operating a personal watercraft in an unsafe manner. He registered a blood alcohol content of .11, over the legal limit of .08. Read more…
Turtle Derbies Pose Dangers for Humans and Herps
Eastern Box Turtle
Turtle races or derbies are part of many Fourth of July celebrations, but the Maryland Department of Natural Resources cautions that these events pose a health risk to captive turtles, wild turtles and human participants. Read more…
We Need Your Help! Endangered Birds in Ocean City Threatened by Boat Wakes
Skimmer and baby chick. Photo credit: Marianne Korosy
For the first time in more than 20 years, the endangered Black Skimmer has been found nesting on an unnamed island near Ocean City. Unfortunately wakes from holiday weekend boat traffic, coupled with unusually high tides may destroy these nests.
DNR is asking boaters to PLEASE LIMIT SPEED to 6 knots or less between the 50 bridge and the Red #2 Channel marker. Black skimmer nests on the beach near the channel are in danger of being washed away by the boat wakes. Help us give these birds a chance!
Click “Read more” to view a map of the affected area. Read more…
DNR Regional Offices in Cumberland to Move to Rocky Gap State Park
The western region DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service and Land Acquisition and Planning Service offices will be relocating from downtown Cumberland to a DNR building at Rocky Gap State Park on July 7 and 8.
The new address will be 12512 Pleasant Valley Road, Flintstone, MD 21530. The telephone numbers will remain the same: 301-777-2136 for the Wildlife and Heritage, and 301-777-2030 for Land Acquisition and Planning. Read more…
NRP Urges Safe Boating During Busy July 4th Holiday
NRP on patrol on the Magothy River
After a weekend in which three people died on Maryland waterways, the mission for the Maryland Natural Resources Police this July 4th holiday is simple: fewer boating accidents.
The game plan is direct: officers will be going all-out on the state’s waterways, from the Atlantic Ocean to Deep Creek Lake. Read more…
NRP Seizes Another Alligator, Charges Prince George’s Owner
Suitland gator
For the second time in less than two weeks, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers seized an illegally owned alligator, this time in Prince George’s County. Read more…
NRP Begins Second Season of “Don’t Get Pinched” Crab Enforcement Campaign
For the second summer, the Maryland Natural Resources Police is rolling out its blue crab enforcement campaign on the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River under the banner, “Don’t Get Pinched.” Read more…
July is Lakes Appreciation Month
Maryland has more than 60 sites to float your boat
July is national Lakes Appreciation Month, so whether you prefer to swim, paddle, float or boat, Maryland’s abundance of lakes, ponds and reservoirs offer something for everyone! Read more…
NRP Extends Upper Potomac River Warning
The Maryland Natural Resources Police has extended its warning to boaters and other recreational users to avoid the Potomac River and its tributaries from Cumberland to Great Falls. Read more…
Partnership Permanently Protects 320 acres in Baltimore County
Beaverdam Run meandering through Ivy Hill Properties
Three new conservation easements totaling 320 acres will permanently protect important Baltimore County forest and farmland from development. Cunningham Farms, LLC, and Ivy Hill Properties, LLC, donated the properties to be conserved through a partnership by the Maryland Environmental Trust, The Manor Conservancy and The Land Preservation Trust. Read more…
Maryland State Parks are Popular Destinations for the July 4th Holiday Weekend
Public should anticipate potential temporary closures due to capacity limitations
Greenbrier State Park during Fourth of July weekend 2013
Maryland State Parks are popular destinations year round, but especially so in the warmer summer months as families plan overnight camping trips, daytime visits to the water and outdoor gatherings on public lands. During holiday weekends such as the Fourth of July, many state parks will be forced to temporarily close public entrances due to capacity limitations. Read more…