Frostburg bars use of city land and water for fracking
FROSTBURG, Md. (AP) – The western Maryland city of Frostburg is banning the use of city land and water for fracking.
The Cumberland Times-News (http://bit.ly/2gT17kD ) reports that the City Council voted unanimously Thursday to adopt an ordinance prohibiting drilling and extraction of oil and natural gas on city-owned land. The ordinance also prohibits sales of city-owned water for those purposes
The drilling technique called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, uses highly pressurized water and chemicals to fracture rock formations and release trapped gas.
The protected land includes about 1,800 acres of the Piney Reservoir watershed in neighboring Garrett County. The reservoir is the largest source of Frostburg drinking water.
Anti-fracking activists also are seeking a ban on fracking within the Frostburg city limits.
A statewide moratorium on fracking is set to expire in October.
For more information, click here.
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Just sold! Camp Deep Creek conveys to Crossroads Church
I am very excited to announce that Crossroads Church has purchased a spectacular recreational retreat just a few miles from Deep Creek Lake & Wisp Ski Resort. “Camp Deep Creek” is an 18+ acre complex with plenty of wide-open spaces for sports, church & group activities. Absolutely gorgeous land and stunning improvements, all surrounded by mountain views & wooded seclusion. Its an incredibly peaceful spot!
The property will continue to be maintained & professionally managed by Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales. The church has a tremendous following locally and they have big plans for the usage of the facility – perhaps even a location for a new building to house the church. Larry Nesline and I, along with Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales, were honored to be a part of the listing & sale of this iconic Garrett County treasure!
Click here for more photos or for information on booking the facility.
-Jay Ferguson, Co-owner, Broker
More details on the rental property from DeepCreekVacations.com:
Planning a multi-family getaway or a corporate retreat? Camp Deep Creek is a truly remarkable and unique vacation rental that is ideal for this type of gathering. Offering breathtaking mountain and pastoral views, this home is as inviting outdoors as it is in. Step inside the mammoth kitchen which boasts expansive faulted ceilings, extra cabinet and counter space, and beautiful gleaming hardwood floors. Continue on and fall in the love with the cozy interior of the Great Room with plush leather sofas, warm wood walls, and a massive stone fireplace which gives promise of nights gathering with your loved ones.
Your lower level Family Room is the ideal place for the kids to play! Challenge a friend to a game of Foosball, try out your ping pong skills or simply relax and watch your favorite movie on the large flat screen TV. Created in the nostalgic view of an actual camp, this home offers 3 Queen sized beds and multiple bunk beds. (Please note that each bedroom houses several beds. For complete details, please ask your Reservationist.)
Boredom is certainly not an option when you spend time walking around the large outdoor area whether the kids are playing tag on the expansive lawn (boasting over 18 acres), enjoying a bonfire in the outdoor fire pit, or relaxing on the large deck. Gather the group for a game of basketball or pickle ball. With 2 large pavilions, outdoor barbeques are a must! Tucked away for privacy, here you will find the tranquil setting that you seek but still be just a short drive to Wisp Resort and area shopping and dining. Camp Deep Creek is a wonderful home that will easily host your next large gathering. Call today for more details on reserving this special home.
Camp Deep Creek offers a membership to the Community Aquatic Recreation Complex (CARC). You can enjoy the indoor pool and fitness facilities during your stay. Get more info.
Garrett County begins review of 10-year comprehensive plan
OAKLAND, Md. (AP) — Garrett County officials are launching a review of the county’s comprehensive plan, which was last updated in 2008.
The planning commission begins the process Wednesday afternoon in Oakland.
The resulting document will have implications for both Deep Creek Lake tourism and for expanded natural gas production if the state permits the drilling technique known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. A state moratorium on fracking is set to expire in October.
State regulators have proposed fracking regulations that would prohibit wellheads within the 41,000-acre Deep Creek Lake watershed.
Residents of Western Maryland don’t want fracking
The Dec. 5 Metro article “Extension of Md. fracking halt likely as legislative fight looms” quoted Del. Jason C. Buckel (R-District 1B) as saying, “In general, I think it would be unfair to suggest that there’s been a significant movement of people opposed to fracking in Allegany or Garrett.” I disagree. As a business owner long involved in this issue in Garrett County, I know the anti-fracking movement is strong and growing.
At an Allegany County meeting two weeks ago, anti-fracking dominated for hours, with several dozen people speaking in favor of a ban. Almost 700 Frostburg residents, more than voted in the last municipal election, have signed a petition supporting a fracking ban within city limits, and hundreds have turned out at public meetings on the issue. Mr. Buckel attended the Frostburg and county delegation meetings.
In August, the House Environment and Transportation Committee held a hearing in Garrett County on fracking; an overflow audience of 450 attended, with 70 percent speaking against fracking. The Garrett County towns of Mountain Lake Park and Friendsville have passed fracking-ban ordinances and received support from their citizens.
Fracking opposition in Western Maryland comes from farmers, business owners, students, health professionals and faith leaders. We insist that for the sake of our health and communities, Maryland ban fracking once and for all.
Paul Roberts, Friendsville, Md.
The writer is board president of Citizen Shale.
Governor Hogan confirmed as keynote speaker at PACE Breakfast
The Cumberland/Allegany County Industrial Foundation, Inc. (CACIF) and the Garrett County Development Corporation are the hosts of the upcoming 41st PACE Reception and PACE Breakfast at the Loews Annapolis Hotel on Thursday evening, January 26, 2017 and Friday morning, January 27, 2017.
According to State Senator George C. Edwards, The Office of Governor Larry Hogan has confirmed that the Governor has graciously accepted the invitation to be the keynote speaker at the PACE Breakfast.
$1.9 million in a grant and a loan to Oakland in Garrett County for water-distribution system improvements
ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland Board of Public Works on Wednesday approved a $19.2 million grant to Washington County to assist with an ongoing upgrade to the Conococheague Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Through the Bay Restoration Fund, the grant will provide funding toward planning, design and construction costs to complete an enhanced-nutrient removal, or ENR, upgrade at the plant near Williamsport, according to a state news release.
The county’s share was one of three grants and loans announced Wednesday, totaling $21 million, to help reduce pollution, improve water quality and provide safe drinking water.
Other payments included $1.9 million in a grant and a loan to Oakland in Garrett County for water-distribution system improvements, as well as $575,000 in two grants for a wastewater-facilities upgrade in Somerset County.”These are smart investments to protect public health and prevent water pollution in Maryland communities and the Chesapeake Bay,” state Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles said in the release.
“Upgrading sewage treatment systems in Somerset and Washington counties and improving the water system in the Town of Oakland will help us to green and grow the state’s economy and lead in the race to protect and restore Chesapeake Bay watersheds,” he said.
The public works panel is composed of Gov. Larry Hogan, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot.
After the county upgrade, nitrogen and phosphorus discharge from the plant off Elliott Parkway will be cut by 62.5 percent and 85 percent, respectively, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged to the Upper Potomac River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.
Environmental officials say excessive amounts of nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, lead to lowered levels of oxygen needed to support aquatic life in waterways.
The project also increases the plant’s capacity from 4.1 million gallons per day to 4.5 million gallons per day, the release said.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners earlier this year awarded a $23.7 million contract for the project to HRI Bridge Co., of State College, Pa., the same company that completed the state-mandated ENR upgrade at the Winebrenner Wastewater Treatment Plant in Cascade.
