Hunting a deer in the pines
Posted: Sunday, January 9, 2011 12:00 am
Hunting a deer in the pines 0
There was one more place I wanted to investigate before my afternoon hunt. The woods and fields were covered in more than a foot of white in Garrett County. The presence of deer was easy to locate with the blanket of snow. They left prints of their presence when traveling through an area.
I parked the Jeep at the end of the snow covered gravel lane. The overhanging green briars painted both sides of Jeep as I drove the seldom-used road. The boards on the old steel bridge were no longer strong enough to handle vehicle traffic.
I opened the door of the Jeep and grabbed my rifle. No need to take my pack. I was just going to walk a few hundred yards and check for sign.
Deer tracks punched the snow across the bridge. The deer have learned to keep their feet dry from the frigid creek by using the bridge. Interesting I thought. The snow on the far side of the bridge was littered with paw prints. More than just a few deer have walked these woods. Some tracks old, some with sharp edges seemingly fresh. The hunt was turning positive.
Read the rest here.
GC Commissioners Hear Roads Dept. Budgetary Report
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Jan. 6, 2011
The county commissioners heard an update report on Tuesday morning from Garrett County Roads Department personnel. Since county officials are preparing the fiscal year 2012 budget, general roads superintendent Jay Moyer’s report centered around budgetary issues.
He presented the commissioners with personnel overtime data.
“We like to track that as much as we can,” Moyer said about winter operations overtime.
By the end of last winter’s record-breaking snowfall, county road crews had logged in 23,000 man hours of overtime pay.
“So far this winter, we’re at 4,500 hours of overtime,” Moyer said.
The superintendent said the department tries to hold overtime down as much as possible through work scheduling. He noted that crews may arrive at work earlier than normal, at 5 a.m., to clear snowy roads for school buses. Road conditions are evaluated at about 1:30 p.m. If the superintendent feels they are in good enough shape for buses to transport students back home, then road crews end their shift. If not, workers have to work overtime to keep the roads clear for the buses and other motorists.
Garrett offering free vaccinations for flu
OAKLAND — The Garrett County Health Department has obtained additional flu vaccine and is offering free flu vaccine to all children 6 months or older and adults on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis only.
Both the injectable flu vaccine and the nasal spray FluMist will be offered at no charge to medically and age-eligible people until supplies run out. There is also a limited supply of preservative-free pediatric flu vaccine in the injectable form for babies from 6 to 35 months of age.
The free clinics will be held Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Garrett County Health Department, 1025 Memorial Drive, and at the Grantsville office at 28 Hershberger Lane.
Questions can be directed to 301 334-7770 or 301 895-3111.
Edwards, Beitzel Blast Co-Legislator About Marcellus Shale Drilling Fears
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Jan. 6, 2011
Maryland District 1 Sen. George Edwards and Del. Wendell Beitzel joined forces this week to pen a letter directed toward their co-legislators, which was published in Tuesday’s Baltimore Sun, criticizing the discussion and possible plans to pass a moratorium on Marcellus shale drilling. Del. Heather Mizeur, a Democrat representing Montgomery County, is currently drafting legislation for a statewide moratorium on drilling to provide time for more study and regulation. Edwards and Beitzel apparently feel that she and other “downstate” officials should not be involved.
“Just shortly before Christmas, the op-ed section of this fine newspaper was used to perpetuate a message of fear and to spread half-truths regarding a real opportunity for Maryland,” the letter states. “Del. Heather Mizeur, our esteemed colleague from Montgomery County, implied, as her central thesis, that if Maryland does not follow New York’s lead and pass a ‘moratorium’ on a certain technique for natural gas drilling in the state, then the Chesapeake Bay would likely be set ablaze.
“Putting a moratorium on natural gas drilling for fear that some may eventually find its way into the Chesapeake Bay would be akin to eliminating Maryland’s burgeoning bio-tech industry as a way to prevent bio-terrorism,” the letter states.
The prospect of Marcellus shale drilling has become a “hot button issue” in Garrett County over the past many months with elected officials and residents alike. Two major gas companies have made plans to drill within Garrett County, with some of those plans scrapped and others still in progress.
To review, the process consists of hydraulic fracturing of rock in order to reach new reservoirs of natural gas. The drills go down to the shale, which is located 7,000 to 9,000 feet below the surface, and horizontally through it. Then drillers pump water, sand, and chemicals into the rock at high pressure to crack it and release the gas so it can be pumped out. The process has been dubbed “fracking.”
Persons in favor of the process have lauded the economic boon that could take place, should drilling be successful in the county. Landowners can lease their property to gas companies and receive payment for all gas extracted from their land. The potential income is significant, according to gas company representatives.
However, concerns about the actual process, chiefly the fear of contaminated ground water, continue to be voiced. Critics point to Pennsylvania, where Marcellus shale drillers have committed more than 1,600 violations of state regulations in the past two years. According to a database of violations kept by the University of Pittsburgh, two gas companies have accrued a total of 210 violations at 85 wells. Company representatives maintain that the offenses are minor, but reports of serious damages to homeowners’ properties have also been reported.
However, Edwards and Beitzel have asserted confidence that the process is safe, and that it should be left to the Western Maryland lawmakers and residents to decide whether or not to pursue it.
“The Marcellus shale rests under our homes, our family’s homes, and the homes of our constituents. It is not present in any other part of Maryland and is only found in Garrett and Allegany counties,” the letter states. “Natural gas has been drilled in Garrett County since the 1950s. Though hydraulic fracturing technology has not yet been used, other more traditional methods of natural gas extraction have, to our knowledge, not caused any environmental damage. Further exploration into the Marcellus shale could have a positive impact on our local economy by providing much needed jobs and added revenue.”
Beitzel himself has noted that he owns property that he hopes to lease to a gas company for drilling. He discussed this during a public forum held before last year’s general election.
The legislators expressed in their letter that local farmers could benefit greatly from the process, and this is especially key since many have struggled with the farming industry for years.
“Many of our local farmers are beginning to find they can no longer make a living selling their crops. They are often left with two options. They could either sell their land to developers, or just ‘keep on keeping on’ and hope for the best. Yet, with increased governmental regulations and interference, these desperate farmers may never see that brighter day for which they hope.
“A report released by the U.S. Department of Energy asserts that the Marcellus shale ‘is the most expansive shale gas play’ in the nation. It covers 95,000 square miles across six northeastern states. Within this shale formation, there is an estimated 262 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. To give you a basis of comparison, according to Department of Energy’s figures, the United States consumed 22 to 23 trillion cubic feet annually between 2004 and 2009,” the legislators wrote.
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Weekend Roundup Jan. 7-9
Don’t let the winter doldrums set in with these fun-filled activities.
By Linda Blachly January 7, 2011
The cold and blustery weather shouldn’t keep you home this weekend. There are tons of activities to enjoy that are just a short ride away…
Heroes Day
Wisp Resort is honoring our nation’s heroes with a complimentary one-day lift ticket. The hero’s immediate family members can receive a $10 one-day lift ticket. Military and rescue personnel must show valid service ID at ticket window to receive a complimentary one-day lift ticket.
Date and time: Jan. 7.
Cost: Free.
Location: Wisp Resort, McHenry, Md.
Information: www.wispresort.com
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Snowshoeing Eco Tours
Explore the awesome splendor of Swallow Falls in winter with a knowledgeable fun loving guide from All Earth Eco Tours. Amazing picture-taking opportunities.
Dates and times: Jan. 6-7; 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. (Reservations required).
Cost: $20 per person (includes snow shoe rentals and hot cocoa).
Location: Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Md.
Information: Call 1-800-446-7554 or visit http://allearthecotours.com/marylandsnowshoeing.html
Champion Trees Are Roots of Montgomery County
By David Seckinger January 6, 2011
When Joe Howard was growing up, he spent a lot of time in trees. As an adult, he turned that interest into a countywide program that identifies and ranks trees by size….
…A champion tree is determined by three measurements — a system devised in 1925 by a Marylander named Fred Besley. First, the circumference of the tree is measured at 4.5 feet off the ground. Second, the tree’s height is measured. Third, 25 percent of the tree’s average crown spread is calculated. The three measurements are added together in total points. The tree with the most points is named the champion…
…Howard said Montgomery County has three of the five largest Tulip Poplars in the state, one of which is located in Brookeville. Garrett County had the national champion Sugar Maple until it died about four years ago, Howard added.
District fishing report - 1-7-11
Friday, January 07, 2011
By Deborah Weisberg
Anglers are advised that changing weather, including the warmup last weekend, has created variable to unfishable conditions on many lakes. Caution should be exercised when venturing onto frozen surfaces…
Deep Creek Lake (Maryland) — Numbers of perch and legal walleyes were iced this week.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11007/1116283-358.stm#ixzz1Ade7zMcL
Planning Commission Proposing Changes To Comprehensive Plan
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Jan. 6, 2011
The Garrett County Planning Commission voted unanimously yesterday to reinstate four paragraphs regarding mountain ridgelines in the county’s Comprehensive Plan. The group had included the language in its April 2008 draft plan, but the previous county commissioners deleted the paragraphs before they approved the plan in October 2008.
Updating the document and its corresponding ordinances was a four-year process, involving the Planning Commission, county officials, and members of the general public. The 216-page plan serves as the policy guide for future growth in the county.
The new county commissioners took office on Dec. 14. One week later they asked Director John Nelson, Garrett County Department of Planning and Land Development, to reintroduce the ridgeline issue to the Planning Commission and see if its members would want to reinstate the paragraphs.
Commissioner Gregan Crawford said at the commissioners’ Dec. 21 meeting that omission of the language ran contrary to the mission statements of both the Heritage Plan and the Comprehensive Plan. It was also noted at the meeting that a third wind power facility is planned for Four-Mile Ridge, and that without changes to the Comprehensive Plan and associated ordinances, the county would have to allow the project to proceed.
Nelson presented the commissioners’ request to the Planning Commission members yesterday afternoon.
“The race is on,” Nelson told them about establishing some type of control before the Four-Mile project begins.
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