Natural Resources News
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…
NRP Issues Upper Potomac River Advisory for Weekend
The Maryland Natural Resources Police is urging boaters and other recreational users to avoid the Upper Potomac River, including its creeks and streams, this weekend. Read more…
NRP Joining ‘Operation Dry Water’ this Weekend to Nab Impaired Boaters
Officer Erica Minnick on patrol at Deep Creek Lake.
As the summer recreational boating season gets into full swing, the Maryland Natural Resources Police will join this weekend with the Coast Guard and other maritime law enforcement agencies for Operation Dry Water, a nationwide crackdown on alcohol- and drug-impaired boaters. Read more…
Seasonal Black Bear Sightings Increase in Suburban Areas
While black bears are typically found in western Maryland (Garrett, Allegany, Washington and Frederick counties), sightings in suburban areas are not uncommon this time of year. Read more…
NRP Charges Grasonville Man with Running Illegal Charter Boat Business
A Grasonville man has been charged by the Maryland Natural Resources Police with operating a charter boat service without the proper state licenses.
Heath Roy, 49, was issued citations for failing to obtain a charter boat license and with using a Chesapeake Bay Sport Fishing Boat recreational license on a commercial vessel. Read more…
DNR Pioneers the Use of Apple Watch for State Government
AccessDNR home screen for Apple Watch
Nearby Water Trails and Access Points Available with a Tap of the Wrist
Water-enthusiasts can discover nearby waterways directly on their wrist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) new Apple Watch app, paired with the AccessDNR mobile app. This makes Maryland the first state to publish an Apple Watch app for government that uses geolocation functionality to locate water trails and access points. Read more…
Washington Monument Observation Tower to Remain Closed
The stone monument at Washington Monument State Park in Washington County will remain closed until further notice, pending the completion of work to repair damage from a lightning strike that occurred Thursday afternoon. Read more…
Maryland State Parks to Celebrate Great American Campout
DNR Secretary Mark Belton and State Parks Superintendent Nita Settina invite you to join in celebrating the Great American Campout!
Visit a nearby state park on June 27 and join the Maryland Park Service in celebrating the Great American Campout! Participants can learn how to pitch a tent, cook a campfire meal, make s’mores and more! This day will include plenty of family-friendly fun, along with giveaways from the National Wildlife Federation. Read more…
MET Easement Protects Endangered Species Habitat
The newly protected forestland
Fifty-three acres of forest in Talbot County, home of the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel, are permanently protected from development, thanks to the Maryland Environment Trust (MET) and the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy in partnership with the Talbot Preservation Alliance.
Read more…
NRP Investigates Fatal Swimming Accident, Handles Cases at State Parks
Maryland Natural Resources Police officers are investigating the death of Matthew Bolte, 24, of North East, who died Sunday after jumping from Wildcat Point in Cecil County into the Susquehanna River. His friends say he surfaced once and disappeared from view at about 3:30 p.m. Read more…
DNR Helps Fund New Stream Restoration Monitoring Program
Efforts to produce measurable water quality data and results
Nature’s Gift by Timothy Shelton
In a continued effort to better gauge how stream restoration projects improve tributary and Chesapeake Bay health, DNR’s Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund provided $500,000 to help fund the Restoration Research Grant Program. Through the program, DNR and partners selected four research projects that they will use to rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of water quality and habitat enhancements practices. Results will help ensure that practices with the greatest likelihood for success are implemented in the future. Read more…
NRP, Lifeguards Rescue Five Off Sandy Point State Park
L to R: Lifeguards Isela Hernandez and Nathan Cmiel, and Rangers Maria Reusing and Alison Woodfield
As storms rocked the Annapolis area Monday evening, a group of off-duty state lifeguards and rangers, and Maryland Natural Resources Police officers teamed up to rescue five people from overturned jet skis off Sandy Point State Park. Read more…
Survey Says: Visitors Prefer Maryland for Hunting and Fishing
Landing that prize rockfish or tagging a world-class deer in Maryland may be more enjoyable than the same victory somewhere else, according to a recent survey that reveals most out-of-state anglers and hunters rank their experience in Maryland superior to that of their home state. Read more…
NRP, Howard County Divers Recover Body of Patapsco Swimmer
The body of a 22-year-old Landover man was recovered this afternoon from the Patapsco River by divers from the Maryland Natural Resources Police and Howard County Fire and Rescue. Read more…
Workshop to Focus on Protecting Maryland’s Working Waterfronts
Boaters, watermen, coastal planners, aquaculturists ─ anyone interested in the preservation of Maryland’s waterfronts ─ are invited to the Working Waterfronts Exchange on June 18 in Cambridge. Experts and guests will have the opportunity to share their ideas and experiences, and discuss the results of an economic study on the topic. Read more…
DNR Seeks Caretaker for Historic Property in Cecil County
Old Bohemia Tenant House
DNR invites citizens interested in becoming curators of the Old Bohemia Tenant House in Cecil County to stop by the open house, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, June 13. The property is available for restoration under the Department’s Resident-Curatorship Program, which matches up historic properties with people interested in restoring, maintaining and periodically sharing them with the public in return for the right to lifetime tenancy. Read more…
Celebrate Great Outdoors Month with DNR!
Fun kicks off with National Trails Day June 6
June marks the last few weeks of school, the beginning of summer and the perfect time to get outside! The Department of Natural Resources makes celebrating Great Outdoors Month fun and easy with its network of beautiful state parks, a variety of educational programs and the AccessDNR mobile app. Read more…
NRP Recovers Body of Baltimore County Boater
The body of a Baltimore County boater, whose disappearance was the subject of an extensive search by law enforcement and rescue agencies, was recovered at 7:00 p.m. on May 30 near Salt Peter in the Gunpowder River, the Maryland Natural Resources Police said. Read more…
NRP Recovers Body of Missing Port Deposit Boater
Maryland Natural Resources Police officers recovered the body of a Port Deposit man on May 29, who went missing on May 26 after strong winds capsized a canoe and tossed him and a fishing partner into the Susquehanna River. Read more…
Fish Free in Maryland June 6, 13 and July 4
Photo by Patricia Colletti
Everyone is encouraged to grab a rod, get outside and take advantage of Maryland’s excellent angling opportunities during free fishing days June 6, June 13 and July 4. No license or trout stamp is required to recreationally fish in state waters on these days. Maryland also features 23 unique license-free fishing areas, where anglers can fish without a license throughout the year.
Maryland Hunters Report Record Spring Turkey Harvest
Strutting by Lori R. Bramble
Hunters reported harvesting a total of 3,767 wild turkeys during the 2015 regular spring and junior hunt turkey seasons that ended on May 23. This year’s harvest is 13 percent higher than the 2013 record-setting harvest of 3,344, and well above the 10-year average of 3,045.
The sharp increase in harvest can be attributed to a combination of factors, including growing turkey populations, excellent weather and more Sunday hunting opportunities. Read more…
NRP Logs Busy Memorial Day Weekend on Water and in Woods
NRP 141 rescues seven fishermen in Whitehall Bay outside Annapolis
Photo courtesy of Cory Russell
With a string of beautiful days with bright sun and comfortable temperatures, Memorial Day weekend beckoned thousands of residents and visitors to Maryland waterways and state parks and kept Natural Resources Police officers on their toes. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Challenge Heats Up
More than 500 anglers eligible for cash and prizes
Last year’s boat package winner, Rick Snider of Biglerville, Pa. Prize sponsored by Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Boats.
Landing a big fish in Maryland could also land anglers big prizes, including cash, a powerboat, a tropical vacation, tackle packages, and Under Armour and Costa gear. Hosted by DNR and now in its eleventh year, the Maryland Fishing Challenge continues to showcase Maryland as a premier recreation destination with anglers reporting excellent fishing from the Appalachian Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Read more…
Stay Safe on the Water: What to Know Before You Go
Whether jet skiing across the Bay or surfing the waves of the Atlantic, there is no better relief from a hot Maryland day than a cool, refreshing dip in the water. With Memorial Day weekend and the start of summer right around the corner, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds swimmers, boaters, anglers — everyone headed out on the water — to develop a precautionary safety and rescue plan and know the following tips before heading out. Read more…
Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants Awarded to Environmental Groups
Former Keep Maryland Beautiful recipient, Blue Water Baltimore, and partners led a project at Cross Country Elementary School to replace 18,000 sq. feet of blacktop with grass, trees and a new playground, eliminating several hundred thousand gallons of storm water runoff.
The Maryland Environmental Trust awarded a total of $9,600 to nonprofits, community groups and schools across the state to restore streamside habitats, create gardens and educate citizens about the environment as part of the Keep Maryland Beautiful program. Read more…
Farmers Market at DNR in Annapolis Kicks Off June 4
The Anne Arundel County Farmers Market located just outside of downtown Annapolis is back and ready to provide residents with fresh fruits, vegetables and homemade goodies all summer long! Starting June 4, the market will run from 3 to 6 p.m. every Thursday through September 3. Read more…
Governor Hogan Helps NRP Welcome New Water Safety Mascot
Gov. Larry Hogan and his dog Lexi help welcome Splash, NRP’s new water safety mascot, during a lighthearted weekend ceremony on the Government House lawn.
Two decades after arriving in Maryland from his native bamboo forest to help spread the water safety message for the Natural Resources Police, mascot PFD Panda has announced his retirement.
In a lighthearted weekend ceremony on the lawn of Government House, Governor Larry Hogan and his dog, Lexi, helped welcome Splash the Water Safety Dog, PFD Panda’s replacement. Read more…
MET Names Conservation Award Winners and Grant Recipients
Michelle Grafton, MET Land Trust Coordinator; Charlie Conklin with Gunpowder Valley Conservancy; Miriam Avins with Baltimore Green Space; Hal Delaplane with Conservancy for Charles County; Richard Post with Harford Land Trust; Victoria Bauer with Lower Shore Land Trust; Sarah Knebel with Scenic Rivers Land Trust; and Sandy Hertz, Deputy Director of SHA’s Office of Environmental Design.
As part of its annual awards, the Maryland Environmental Trust granted $27,000 to land preservation groups statewide. MET announced the award and grant winners during its 15th annual Maryland Land Conservation Conference, held April 30 and May 1 at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum Heights. Read more…