Land Preservation
Program Open Space Administrator:
Bill DeVore
301-334-1920
Ag-Land Preservation Administrator:
Chad Fike
301-334-1920
Rural Legacy Administrator:
Chad Fike
301-334-1920
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The Garrett County Planning & Zoning Office administers the following programs in the interest of Land Preservation Practices:
Program Open Space
Garrett County Ag-Land Preservation
Rural Legacy
MALPF
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Program Open Space
Program Open Space is a nationally recognized program providing dedicated funds for Maryland's state and local parks and conservation areas. POS funding is used to purchase ballfields, neighborhood playgrounds, tennis courts, boating facilities, swimming pools, fishing sites, hunting areas, forests, golf courses, hiking trails, greenways, wildlife areas, historic sites, formal gardens and a host of other natural community resources. For more information please contact the local Program Open Space Administrator.
Garrett County Agricultural Land Preservation
Garrett County has adopted a Garrett County Agricultural Land Preservation District Ordinance in order to assist in the preservation of agricultural land. For more information please click on the following links:
Garrett County Agricultural Land Preservation District Fact Sheet - this document provides information about the County's District program.
District Property Description - this form is completed with the assistance of the Garrett Soil Conservation District (301-334-6951) to determine if the property meets soil productivity requirements.
Garrett County Agricultural Land Preservation District Agreement - this formal agreement must be signed and notarized by the landowner.
Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF)
The MALPF program’s primary purpose is to preserve productive farmland and woodland for the continued production of food and fiber for all of Maryland’s citizens. The Foundation purchases perpetual conservation easements that ensure properties remain agricultural. Property owners with an approved Garrett County Agricultural Land Preservation District may be eligible to sell an easement to MALPF. For more information please contact the Ag-Land Preservation Administrator or visit the MALPF website at http://www.malpf.info/index.html
Rural Legacy
The Rural Legacy Program provides the focus and funding necessary to protect large, contiguous tracts of land and other strategic areas from sprawl development and to enhance natural resource, agriculture, forestry and environmental protection through cooperative efforts among state and local governments and land trusts.
Garrett County created the Bear Creek Rural Legacy Area to help protect over 31,000 acres of the Bear Creek watershed in the northern part of Garrett County. Productive agricultural land is protected, which ensures the long-term viability of agriculture in the Area. The Rural Legacy Area also encompasses and provides additional protection for the Bear Creek drainage basin, Deep Creek Lake, the Cove scenic overlook, the Bear Creek Fish Hatchery, and a significant amount of State and private forested lands. Working farms, standing timber, view sheds, natural habitats and waterways are all being preserved.
Property owners within the Bear Creek Rural Legacy Area may be able to sell a perpetual conservation easement to the County using available Rural Legacy funds. For more information please contact the Rural Legacy Administrator.
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