Ehrlich's fire sale: Maryland's beaches, woods, and parks

[PSU84]

The Baltimore Sun November 18, 2004

Up for sale? Beaches, woods, parks
Maryland releases detailed list of 'surplus' public properties

An acre of shoreline on the Chesapeake Bay. An island off the meandering coast of Baltimore County. A roaring waterfall hidden in Harford County woods. Over decades, Maryland acquired these properties and others as it bought, accepted or traded for real estate that became a treasured portfolio, which now includes nearly 450,000 acres of parks and preservation land. This week, the Department of Natural Resources released for the first time a detailed list and maps of public land identified as possible candidates for sale. It includes parcels that, at first blush, seem to be attractive and vital resources. Like the waterfall. The island. The Chesapeake shoreline acre.

<snip>

While government officials insist they are undertaking a smart management review, some critics see a poorly conceived and executed plan unfolding. The Ehrlich administration, they worry, may be undermining open-space goals while helping friends who stand to receive advance opportunity to snatch up valuable acreage for personal use. Details of the land list come after revelations that the state recently bought an 836-acre forest in Southern Maryland with the intent of selling it to a politically connected contracting company owner for the same purchase price. The executive, Willard J. Hackerman of Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., had pledged to preserve the land, but documents released through a public-records request reveal he intended to build homes there.

<snip>

Area naturalist Bob Chance, who calls Falling Branch a "flash point" for the area, said it would be "despicable" to sell preserved land with so many natural and historical features. Besides the waterfall, the area boasts archaeologically significant rock formations, dozens of native fish species and rare botany, he said.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.land18nov18,1,4761209.story

[tk2kewl]

1. This is the new "Ownership Society"

Expect to see much more of this on a larger scale as the noecons continue to bankrupt the government. Federal land, timber and mining rights will be sold off at fire-sale prices in the name of bringing the debt and deficit under control.

[cjmr]

2. Did the Sun print the list?

I was unable to register to read the article at their site for some reason.

If they printed the list I'll go down to the store to buy the dead tree version...

[PSU84]

3. This list is on the DNR web site

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/pressrelease2004/111604a.html

[yellowcanine]

4. Outrageous - first of all, if there is state land that could be sold off -

that determination should be made by a nonpartisan commission made up of respected community leaders - maybe some academics, some farmers, some state foresters, maybe some retired politicians - no current ones. And then - any land approved for sale should go to an open bid process and buyers must agree to abide by the decisions of local county planning boards as to the use of the land. No sweetheart deals for the Governor's (or Speaker's, Senate Leader's, Comptroller's, etc.) cronies. Further, any proceeds from land sales go into the state agricultural land preservation fund to help keep more land from being developed.