Mountain Marylanders back governor’s plan for state trail network

Kevin Spradlin
Cumberland Times-News

CUMBERLAND — The mountain side of Maryland and those living closer to metropolitan centers can at least agree on one thing — there is value when investing in local trail systems.

With many legislative initiatives, there often is a split on what is good for one part of the state and what is good for Mountain Maryland.

This time, “I think the two sides do agree,” said Bill Atkinson on Friday, two days after Gov. Martin O’Malley announced the state’s first Maryland Trails: A Greener Way To Go plan.

The development of the plan was spearheaded by the state Department of Transportation. It focuses on a long-term projection of how a seamless trail network throughout the state can increase commuter options. Atkinson works for the Maryland Department of Planning and is a local representative for the Pennsylvania-based Trail Towns Program. He also is appointed as an advisory member to the Garrett Trails organization by the Garrett County commissioners.

Atkinson said the annual PACE reception in Annapolis about a week ago, where both Garrett Trails and the Allegany County-based Mountain Maryland Trails organization collaborated on a booth to showcase their positive economic impact, was “the first time we really joined forces.”

“We received a lot of interest at PACE with the combined booth,” said Mike Dreisbach, Mountain Maryland Trails president. “It looks like MMT and Garrett Trails can help the governor add about another 200 miles to make it 1,000 miles in Maryland.”

Atkinson, an avid bicyclist, said people already are using portions of the 20.47-mile Great Allegheny Passage in Allegany County as a commuting option on good-weather days. The gradual decline from Frostburg east to Cumberland provides an easy ride to work, he said.

“We found that to be one of those sidebars to the trail experience,” Atkinson said. “It’s easy to get to work that way. It’s recreation, it’s transportation and it’s economic development.”

State officials appear eager to agree.

“Working together, we can create a great transportation trails network that takes residents to where they need to go by bicycle or foot without ever having to get into their cars,” said Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley in a news release.

Atkinson said a key goal of local stakeholders is to connect the Great Allegheny Passage to Garrett County — possibly from Penn Alps Restaurant in Grantsville to the GAP in Meyersdale, Pa., by way of the Casselman River railroad. Another top priority is to connect the Great Allegheny Passage to the Georges Creek communities along state Route 36, into West Virginia then back in Maryland in Kitzmiller.

“You know, the longer we can get the person to stay in the area, the better it is for Western Maryland,” Atkinson said. “This is a regional concept of trails.”

Atkinson said there is a chance that the towns of Lonaconing, Barton and Midland can all connect to the existing railroad bed before it fully connects to Frostburg and the Great Allegheny Passage.



If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

With upcoming snow, Garrett hoping for federal money

Megan Miller
Cumberland Times-News

OAKLAND — The snowstorm that began in Western Maryland on Tuesday afternoon could last through early Friday and pelt the region with as much as 15 to 20 inches of snow in the higher elevations.

That’s according to Pittsburgh National Weather Service meteorologist Rich Kane, who briefed the Garrett County Commission and other officials via telephone and video feed Tuesday morning.

“I think for Garrett County it’s going to be pretty wintry even through early Friday,” said Kane, who predicted accumulations of 14 to 20 inches by the end of the storm.

Kane said Garrett could also see high winds around 20 mph Wednesday and 30 mph Thursday, which could cause problems with drifting snow.

That’s bad news for roads maintenance crews and emergency services personnel, who put in long hours and spent large chunks of their budgets dealing with the weekend storm that dropped up to 40 inches on the county.

The weekend storm cost the county about $50,000 per day in overtime, equipment and materials costs, according to Roads General Superintendent Jay Moyer.

“As of Jan. 30, we had about $21,500 left in the budget to cover overtime,” Moyer said. “That’s gone now.”

Under the county’s snow emergency plan, several fire stations are put on standby to provide shelter if needed, and winter rescue teams from several agencies are alerted to be ready to assist residents. Anyone in need of shelter can call (301) 334-1930 to request help. Public safety officials also ask that residents make sure to keep their furnace vents uncovered for safety, keep an eye on snow loads on their rooftops and check on their neighbors.

Both the county and Maryland declared a state of emergency in the weekend storm, and some Garrett officials believe more snow could mean the county will receive a federal emergency declaration.

A federal declaration would channel federal dollars into the county that could be used to reimburse county services for extra costs incurred dealing with the storm. Overtime and equipment costs for snow removal efforts, public utilities work and emergency services like police, fire and emergency medical services could all be reimbursed for amounts spent over their normal operating costs, explained Garrett County Emergency Management Director Brad Frantz.

But there are a lot of variables involved in receiving federal emergency aid. For example, new regulations put in place in recent years state that snow storm accumulations must be within 10 percent of a county’s record snowfall for the county to qualify, Frantz said. For Garrett, that means a snowstorm needs to drop about 45 inches in one event.

The forecast for Tuesday’s storm called for far less than that, but it could still push the county over the threshold if both the Tuesday and weekend storm are counted as one event, Frantz explained.

“We don’t yet know for sure if that will happen,” Frantz said. “But there’s a chance they may call this one event, since they’ve extended the state of emergency from the weekend through the beginning of the week.”

Allegany County, too, might come near its qualifying threshold if the storms are considered one event, said Dick DeVore, acting chief of the Allegany County Joint Communications Center. But he emphasized that there’s no way for the county to be certain about that.

“We believe that potentially we’re going to be close to that threshold,” DeVore said. “But ultimately, it depends on what data the National Weather Service uses to calculate snowfall in the county. And there are a lot of other moving parts.”

If either county receives a federal emergency declaration, the other would be eligible for aid as an adjoining county, Frantz said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service had issued a winter storm warning in effect through late Wednesday afternoon for Allegany County. The forecast predicted accumulations of 6 to 12 inches in eastern and central Allegany County, and a possibility of up to 20 inches in the western areas.



If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Heavy snows breaking budgets

Heavy snows breaking budgets

Megan Miller
Cumberland Times-News

CUMBERLAND — Snow removal budgets in Allegany and Garrett counties are meaningless at this point, roads supervisors say.

“The budget has crumbled. We still haven’t calculated all of the most recent numbers, but it’s crumbled,” Allegany County Roads Division Chief Jim Lashley said Monday. “We might as well just tear it up and throw it out.”

Lashley said all county roads were open as of Monday, but cleanup from the storm required maintenance crews to work 16-hour shifts all weekend. That added up to more than $50,000 just in overtime costs from Friday to Sunday.

“Usually we only budget $80,000 for the whole winter, and most of the time we’ve stayed under that,” Lashley said. “But it depends on the kind of winter you have. This is the worst it’s been for a while.”

Allegany County crews must clear snow from about 550 miles of roadway, working from four garages, located in Cumberland, Frostburg, Oldtown and Little Orleans. The Cumberland and Frostburg garages operate seven snow-clearing routes each, while the outlying garages operate five.

Lashley said county snow removal funds aren’t tapped out yet, but could be soon if more storms keep pelting the area.

Garrett County’s overtime budget is nearly or completely exhausted, according to Roads General Superintendent Jay Moyer.

Already this winter, the county has used more than 12,299 man hours of overtime, Moyer said.

“We’ve prepared for this by banking $1.5 million from our paving budget last year,” Moyer said. “We’re probably going to start using some of that money.”

Garrett halted its paving projects at their halfway points and has been holding that money in reserve in case it would be needed for a rough winter, a practice the county began in 2008.

“What’s hurt our budget more than anything is that these snow events have fallen on weekends and holidays, so those hours are all overtime,” Moyer said. “We’ve also had these guys working seven days a week at times, and that gets expensive.”

Moyer said cleanup from a storm that hit earlier in the winter cost the county between $42,000 and $50,000 per day, and that one was not as severe as the one that hit Friday. That cost doesn’t include money spent on anti-skid material and equipment maintenance, he added.

The county budgeted $812,000 for fuel for its equipment, and has spent $408,000 so far. It budgeted $750,000 for anti-skid, and has spent $422,000 of that money.

Moyer said the county should be in good shape in both of those areas.

“By the time winter’s over, we anticipate we’ll have used the full amount budgeted, but we don’t anticipate going over that,” he said.

The county had all roads open in time for schools to hold classes Monday, but Moyer said he was concerned about the storm that’s expected to arrive today.

“We’re hearing there may be winds involved in the next one, which could cause more problems for us because of drifting,” Moyer said. “We already have snow stacked up about as high as we can stack it in a lot of these places.”


If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Businesses Asked To Complete 2009 Recycling Reports

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Feb. 4, 2010

The Garrett County Solid Waste and Recycling Division is requesting that local businesses complete their 2009 recycling reports by the March 15 deadline. Forms will be mailed this month.
The Maryland Recycling Act (MRA) authorized the Maryland Department of the Environment in 1988 to reduce the disposal of solid waste in Maryland through management, education, and regulation.

The MRA requires that each of Maryland's jurisdictions develop and implement recycling programs and report the amount and types of materials recycled annually. Populations with less than 150,000 are required to recycle 15 percent of their waste.

"Therefore, we are requesting that each business in Garrett County report its recycling efforts within the county or outside of the county and state," said local recycling coordinator Kim Madigan. "The Solid Waste and Recycling Division is proud of the Garrett County residents and businesses who helped us achieve a 47.95 percent recycling rate in 2008. These efforts are applauded."

Read the rest of the article here

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Wind farm opponents seeking clarification on federal court ruling

Wind farm opponents seeking clarification on federal court ruling

Feel recent decision could impact projects in Western Maryland

Megan Miller
Cumberland Times-News

CUMBERLAND — A recent federal court decision has some Western Maryland wind farm critics pushing state and local officials for increased regulation.

On Friday, a letter signed by the four members of the District 1 legislative delegation was sent to Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler, seeking a formal opinion on the responsibility of state agencies “as it relates to the protection of the state’s endangered species.”

The letter, sent at the urging of former state senator and Allegany County resident John Bambacus, asks the attorney general to consider whether Maryland state law prohibits a corporation from building wind turbines if the project could potentially harm endangered species.

The question centers on two issues: the first, a recent federal court decision placing restrictions on a West Virginia wind farm because of concerns it could harm an endangered bat; the second, Maryland legislation that went into effect July 1, 2007, to allow proposed wind power projects to bypass an extensive permit review process if the projects have a maximum capacity of no more than 70 megawatts.

In early December, a federal judge halted the construction of additional turbines at Beech Ridge Wind Farm in Greenbrier County, W.Va., because of concerns that the federally endangered Indiana bat could be harmed by the project. The case reached a settlement that allowed construction to move forward, but will limit the facility to about 20 fewer turbines than originally proposed and restrict operation times to daylight hours during the summer months, when bats tend to be active at night.

D.J. Schubert, a biologist with a group opposing the Beech Ridge project, called the settlement a victory for those who feel green energy companies “have to be held to some standard in terms of ensuring their projects do not harm and threaten the environment,” according to the Associated Press.

“A standard has been set now, and we certainly hope the renewable energy industry takes heed,” Schubert said.

Bambacus and some other Western Maryland residents say they believe the case did set a standard, one they want Maryland to follow by toughening up the Public Service Commission’s review process for wind farm permits.

“Prior to the 2007 legislation, Maryland had one of the strongest and most respected programs in the U.S.,” Bambacus said. “None of us could argue that the process itself was faulty. Now there’s virtually no process at all.”

Previously, wind power developers in Maryland were required to secure a permit known as a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. Developers had to go through an extensive review process with the PSC, including conducting environmental review studies and making their case for a permit in formal administrative law proceedings. In those proceedings, other parties, including government agencies, environmental groups, and individuals, could file their own testimony and cross-examine other parties involved.

But since 2007, wind developers can apply for an exemption from the certificate requirement. Developers still have to notify a long list of state and federal agencies, including the Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, about proposed projects, but the exemption process cuts down on things like project review time and impact studies, as well as the public’s ability to weigh in on an application.

Both Sen. George Edwards and Delegate Wendell Beitzel filed bills in the 2009 legislative session to repeal all or part of the exemption law, but the measures failed.

Despite the fast-track legislation, and the PSC’s approval of several wind project permits, no wind farms have actually been erected in Maryland to date. But Bambacus said he thinks the 2007 legislation leaves a lot of unanswered questions about the potential impact of such facilities in the state.

For example, wind farms in Western Maryland could also have an effect on the Indiana bat. Dan Feller, western region biologist with the DNR, said Indiana bats haven’t been confirmed in Garrett County since the mid-1990s, but one was found in Allegany County as recently as the late 2000s. Feller said major hibernation spots for the bat are located less than 20 miles from Maryland in West Virginia.

“We know they’re around, and they’re very rare,” Feller said.

Bambacus called the letter to the attorney general “my last gasp” before turning to the courts for an answer.

Kimberly Connaughton, an Oakland attorney and Garrett County resident concerned over proposed wind power development projects at Backbone Mountain near her home, said she, too, sees the Beech Ridge decision as opening up new legal options for pursuing stricter regulation.

Connaughton, along with her husband, Stephan Moylan, and neighbor Eric Tribbey, sent an open letter to the Garrett County Commission at the end of January, requesting it to rescind or put on hold all pending and granted permits related to wind project construction in the county.

“At this point, we’re trying to get the local executive branch to do something,” Connaughton said. “The last thing we want to get involved in is a federal lawsuit. That’s not what we want to be doing, but we don’t want the highest, longest ridge in Maryland to be ruined forever.”


If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Garrett College, Hopkins Business School Sign Articulation Agreement

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Garrett College, Hopkins Business School Sign Articulation Agreement

Feb. 4, 2010

by Melissa Parker

Garrett College and the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School signed an articulation agreement last Friday which guarantees that qualified GC students may transfer to Johns Hopkins without loss of credit, provided that students follow the educational path set forth by the agreement. Upon graduation at Garrett, the agreement will allow GC grads to enter Johns Hopkins with junior status and begin work on a four-year degree.

"This is a wonderful addition to the options available to Garrett College students," said Dr. Jeanne Neff, college president. "We already have a long standing relationship with Bucknell University; a relationship with Johns Hopkins will be great for our students. We think Johns Hopkins will be very pleased with our outstanding students."

Read the rest of the article here

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

NAR announces Neighborhood Stabilization Project

The National Association of Realtors will assist local boards and associations in utilizing $6 billion in federal tax dollars to the Neighborhood Stabilization Project.

From Realtor.org:

In the February 2 video edition of the President's Podcast, 2010 NAR President Vicki Cox Golder discussed NAR's new program, the Neighborhood Stabilization Project, which helps to rebuild communities hit hard by foreclosures.




If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Local Lawmakers To Review Gov. O'Malley's Budget

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Local Lawmakers To Review Gov. O'Malley's Budget


Feb. 4, 2010

One of the many signs that the 2010 session of the Maryland General Assembly is in full swing is the release of Gov. Martin O'Malley's fiscal year 2011 budget last week. The Senate Finance and the House Appropriations committees will now begin reviewing the expenditures and hold hearings on the proposed budget.
The members of Garrett County's legislative delegation both sit on the budgetary committees. Sen. George C. Edwards (R-Dist. 1) serves on the Senate Finance Committee, and Del. Wendell Beitzel (R-Dist. 1A) serves on the House Appropriations Committee.

Current estimates suggest that Maryland faces a $1.5 billion deficit for FY 2011.

"This year's budget is going to be difficult," Beitzel said. "We are looking at another massive structural deficit that the state needs to address to balance the budget."

Read the rest of the article here

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Garrett Trails @ Garrett County & Deep Creek Lake

Garrett Trails is a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to the development of a well-used network of outstanding quality trails that provide access to Garrett County’s historic, municipal, and environmental treasures which link to trails outside the county. Garrett Trails believes outstanding quality trails are important to the economic development of the county, will attract visitors, and will promote fitness and outdoor enjoyment for county residents.

HISTORY
In 1999, the Garrett County Commissioners requested that the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce initiate a recreational trails plan for the County. In turn, the Chamber of Commerce created and the County Commissioners appointed the Recreational Trails Task Force to review the opportunities for trail development. These early efforts resulted in the development of the Master Trail Plan for the county and on-going engagement of committed professionals around trail development in the county.

Other early accomplishments are:
•Created Master Trail Plan for the County
•Established Process for Deeding Easements to County
•Raised over $35,000 through The Taste of Garrett
•Developed Jennings Randolph State Park Trail
•Became a Forum for Trail Related Information Sharing
•Partnered with State and County to Install Share the Road Signs
With these successes and an on-going need to support trail development and raise the profile of trails in the county, Task Force Members voted on June 18, 2008 that Garrett Trails be formally reorganized as the permanent home for the work of carrying out the Trails Master Plan and more generally trail development and promotion.

http://www.garretttrails.org/

garretttrails@gmail.com


If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Herrington Manor State Park - Oakland, near Swallow Falls

Compiled from the Herrington Manor State Park Website & Wikipedia:

Located within Garrett State Forest in Garrett County, Herrington Manor State Park's development began in the 1930's with the aid of the Civilian Conservation Corps. A 53-acre lake was formed by damming Herrington Creek, and ten cabins were erected on a wooded knoll above the lake.

Herrington Manor was designated as a state park in 1964, and encompasses 365 acres. The park offers swimming, boating in rowboats, canoes and paddle boats, picnicking, hiking, tennis, volleyball and 20 furnished log cabins for rental use year round. Interpretive programs are scheduled during the summer; and popular special events such as maple syrup demonstrations and apple butter making are held in the spring and fall of the year.

Herrington Manor State Park offers two accessible cabins, a visitors' center, concession stand and picnic sites, a path to the swimming beach, and a fishing pier.

During the winter folks come to Herrington Manor State Park to enjoy winter sports. There are ten miles of accessible trails going into the adjacent forest area and there is plenty of equipment rental that takes place here. Of course lots of folks are looking for ski equipment and some want snow shoes to trek through the woods. But every year there is a large contingent of folks who consider Herrington Manor State Park one of the top sledding spots in Maryland. They come intent on renting sleds. At $3 for a half day or $6 for a full day, you know you are getting a bargain for the kids in your family at Herrington Manor State park from 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.

If your recollection of sledding sometimes includes that nasty a memory of being cold, wet and tired after sledding, you may decide that Herrington Manor State Park offers a concession area. There you can not only buy snacks but you can also find a restroom and a nice warm area to rest and rid yourself of whatever chill you have acquired while sledding. It's a good deal all around.

Other features available include:
Boat launch, boat rental, cabins, fishing, food/drink, park office, parking, picnicking, restrooms, shelters and swimming.

Map of Herrington Manor State Park


Trail Guide

Herrington Manor State Park
Trail Guide
Hiking * Fishing * Biking * Cross Country Skiing * Snowshoeing
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Herrington Manor State Park is located within Western Maryland's Garrett State Forest. Families and outdoor adventure enthusiasts enjoy hiking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and mountain biking on the park's more than 21-miles of trails. A featured trail connects Herrington Manor to Swallow Falls State Park and includes 5.5 miles of beautiful woodland, streams, mature hemlock forest and a beaver pond. Enjoy the park's popular rustic wood cabins and a 53-acre lake, for swimming, boating and fishing.

Heritage
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Three hundred years ago, Western Maryland was a wilderness frontier. Consequently, much of the park's rich heritage tells the story of pioneer expansion and settlement into the Ohio River Valley and beyond. One of the area's earliest roads runs just west of the park and was a Native American path called Nemacolin's Trail.
Garrett State Forest was first established through a 2,000-acre donation from the Garrett family, the county's namesake. The Garretts owned the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad, which traversed the region and contributed significantly to its early settlement.

Herrington Manor State Park was named after Abijah Herrington, who built a manor house on the property in the mid-1800s, which was later purchased by the State in 1935. During this decade, the park was the site of many Federal Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.) work projects. Young men from throughout the State lived at a camp located nearby at present day Swallow Falls State Park. These C.C.C. crews created Herrington Lake, planted trees and constructed ten log cabins and the beach Lake House.

Wildlife and Nature Appreciation
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Herrington Manor's diverse habitat of woodlands and wetlands supports an abundance of wildlife, including wild turkey, white-tailed deer, fox and black bears. Notice fallen trees along the lake's shoreline, evidence of beaver activity. Pick up your birder's checklist at the park visitor center. Look for songbirds and migratory waterfowl, such as teal, buffleheads, grebes, loons, scaup and mergansers diving and bobbing on the lake. Osprey fly over the park on a regular basis. Look for rectangular holes pecked in trees, the signature of the pileated woodpecker.
The spring walk through the park's eastern hardwood forest will reveal flowering plants, such as saxifrage, rue and wood anemone, spring beauty, may apple and many violet species. Summer brings milkweeds, spiderwort, mints, butterfly weed and dog bane to the roadsides and meadows. Ironweed, asters and goldenrod varieties brighten the fields in the fall. A native butterfly habitat area is maintained in a field near the dam.

Trails
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Please Play Safe!
Herrington Manor is a natural area with certain hazards, such as poison ivy, rocky and slippery trail surfaces, venomous snakes, spiders and insects. Remember, you are responsible for having the necessary skills, knowledge and equipment for a safe and environmentally sensitive visit.

Herrington Manor to Swallow Falls Trail 5.5 miles - moderate
Hikers, cross-country skiers and mountain bikers can take in the scenic beauty of the area on this trail, which runs from the large parking lot near Herrington Lake to the youth group camping area at Swallow Falls State park. The trails' rolling terrain and variety of forest habitats, including a mature hemlock forest, provide a delightful adventure. Hiking this trail takes approximately two hours each way. Wear sturdy shoes and take a water bottle. Rent cross-country skis and snowshoes at Herrington Manor's Lake House and enjoy the park's winter wonderland of snow-laden hemlock forests.

Yellow Trail 1 mile - easy
This trail travels from just below the cabins, across Herrington Manor Lake Road to a pine plantation.

Green Trail 1.7 miles - easy
This is a good trail for novice skiers and mountain bikers. Accessible from the park headquarters, the trail traverses open field, through hardwood forest and back.

Red Trail 1.6 miles - moderate
The Red Trail is a good intermediate trail for skiers and mountain bikers. The trail loops through natural hardwood forest and pine plantations.

Blue Trail 2.4 miles - moderate
This is a nice loop trail through a hardwood forest with a moderate hill on one portion of the trail.

Snaggy Mountain Trail 10 miles - moderate
This gently rolling circuit trail passes through late successional and mature hardwood and hemlock forests. Popular during the winter months for snowmobiling, the trail is also an excellent route for mountain biking and hiking.
More than three miles of the trail follow Snaggy Mountain Road. This dirt road provides access to camping sites and crosses three interesting upland wetlands created by natural barriers and beaver dams. These clear waters drain into Murely Run, which eventually empties into Herrington Run.

Be sure to take the 1/3-mile side trail to the Maryland Bicentennial Oak, so named for its origin in the mid-18th century. Its impressive trunk and canopy can be enjoyed from several benches built by a local boy scout troop, which maintains the area. The trail to the oak is steep, so prepare for a strenuous return hike. At the juncture with the Oak Trail is a three-sided rustic camping shelter that may be reserved through the Potomac/Garrett State Forest Office at 301-334-2038.

Trail users will notice management efforts to promote forest health, diversity and wildlife habitat within Garrett State Forest. Several of these forest management cuts can be seen along the trail. A Watchable Wildlife trail leads a short distance to a wetland equipped with several blind sites, where the patient visitor can observe undisturbed wildlife such as deer, beaver, ducks, song birds and insects.

Lake Recreation
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The park's dominant feature is a manmade 53-acre lake, averaging a depth of eight feet. Fed by Herrington Creek, the lake was dammed in the early 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and is open from 8:00 a.m. until Sunset, seven days a week for swimming, fishing and boating.
Enjoy excellent fishing opportunities for large and smallmouth bass, catfish, several species of panfish and brown and rainbow trout that are stocked several times a year. For the mobility-impaired, fishing areas are located near the boat ramp at the western end of the lake and near the dam. Consult your freshwater sportfishing guide issued with the purchase of a Maryland fishing license, for detailed information on rules, regulations and creel limits.

A public boat ramp is located at the southern end of the lake for non-gas powered boats only. Boat rentals, including canoes, rowboats, kayaks and paddle boats are available. The park's Lake House provides restrooms, showers and a snack bar.

Cabins
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The park has 20 rustic log cabins available year-round for rent. With a country charm, the cabins provide modern conveniences, such as electric heat, bathroom with shower, fully equipped kitchen and furniture. A covered porch with a view of the surrounding woodland, wood-burning fireplace insert and easy access to park trails and the lake make them an ideal natural haven.
To make picnic, pavilion and camping reservations spring through fall, call Park Reservations at 1-888-432-CAMP (2267). Or, make your reservation on the Internet: reservations.dnr.state.md.us

Trail Stewardship
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You can help support trails at your favorite forest or park by volunteering on trail projects or purchasing a tax-deductible Trail Stewardship sticker. Your support helps maintain and construct trails to protect the environment and benefit trail users. For more information call the park headquarters at 301-334-9180.
Herrington Manor State Park is enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year. Please help us protect the forest's natural and historic resources by following these Leave No Trace ethics. For more information on Leave No Trace, visit their website at: www.lnt.org

Plan ahead and prepare.
Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
Dispose of waste properly.
Leave what you find.
Minimize campfire impacts.
Respect wildlife.
Be considerate of other visitors.
Remember that all of Maryland's State Parks are Trash-Free, so pack out what you pack in! Thanks for being a good steward of Maryland's outdoors.

Park Watch
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The Maryland Park Service's Park Watch program encourages visitors and neighbors to take an active role in protecting personal property and preserving the park. If you observe suspicious activities, vandalism or safety hazards, please report these problems to any park employee or call: 1-800-825-PARK (7275) from any 410/301 area code telephone.
Guides and Outfitters
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As part of DNR's Nature Tourism Program, the park office can provide information on commercial guides and outfitters or organizing group outings at 301-334-9180.
Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers
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Join a dedicated and supportive group of individuals who are interested in assisting the staff in park operations, outreach and special events. Call the park for further information or to join.
Directions
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From Baltimore/Washington (3-5 hours): Follow I-70 west to Hancock, Maryland. Exit onto I-68 west and proceed for approximately 60 miles. Take Exit 14 onto Route 219 south, Keysers Ridge. Proceed 19.5 miles to Mayhew Inn Road (located 2 miles past McHenry, Maryland). Turn right on Mayhew Inn Road, travel 4.5 miles to end of road. At the stop sign turn left onto Oakland-Sang Run Road. Travel 0.3 miles, take first right onto Swallow Falls Road. Proceed 5.8 miles to Herrington Manor State Park.

From Pittsburgh and points west (2.5 hours): Follow I-79 south to Morgantown, WV. Take I-68 east. Take Exit 14 onto Route 219 south, Keysers Ridge. Follow directions above.

Herrington Manor State Park
222 Herrington Lane
Oakland MD 21550
301-334-9180

Herrington Manor State Park is open from dawn to dusk, year-round.

This trail guide, complete with a topographical map of the multi-use trails, is available for sale from Herrington Manor State Park headquarters by calling 301-334-9180.


If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

January 2010 Home Sales - Garrett County / Deep Creek Lake

A typical slow January month in Garrett County & at Deep Creek Lake with only 9 residential sales (details here). One reason that it's normally slower in the winter months is that November and December buyers (who will close in January) are typically pre-occupied with the holidays, shopping, etc. Some other reasons include the weather - who in their right mind WANTS to move all of their stuff in the middle of a Garrett County winter if they don't have to?

Also, the new lending rules that are in place now are causing some previously unforeseen delays with financing, etc. There are 30 'contracts' right now which will presumably close this month or next, so the market conditions are definitely improving some.

This is certainly debatable, but 6/7 of these sales appear to vacation homes or 2nd homes, while the majority are primary residential. This certainly makes a difference in pricing strategies, specifically demand-based pricing.

The average list vs. ORIGINAL sales price is 87.97% (up 3% from December), though the ADJUSTED list vs. sales price is 91.53% of asking price (up 1% from December).

The current number of active/for sale residential listings is 586. 30 of these homes are under contract. This is a net reduction from December 2009 (16 less homes for sale, 7 more under contract). Slowly but surely, our inventory numbers are coming down! Prices have stabilized and are increasing on average over the past few months!

Here are the statistical breakdowns:






If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Despite recession, Garrett County housing market still lively

Courtesy of the Daily Record:

Although Garrett County justifiably bills itself as a year-round resort, it definitely is the place in Maryland when it comes to winter recreation, largely thanks to the presence of Wisp Ski Resort and its proximity to other skiing venues in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

In addition to downhill and cross-country skiing, WISP’s winter activities include snowshoeing and tubing. Deep Creek Lake features ice fishing. And winter sleigh rides are available too.

Nor surprisingly, the most desirable property is waterfront on Deep Creek Lake. In mid-December there were 49 lakefront properties on the market with prices ranging from $499,000 to $2.99 million.

At the low end is a lakefront cottage with three bedrooms and three baths with 163 feet of level lakefront. The opposite extreme? A three-level property with seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, one half-bath and five fireplaces, sitting on three-quarters of an acre.

read the rest of the article here

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Playing on the ice at Deep Creek Lake

My daughter, Kayleah, and my wife, Jessica, were with me today as we ventured out on the ice at Deep Creek Lake. From what the ice fishermen were saying, the ice is about 12 inches thick on the main body of the lake. Our first experience was near Ski Harbor, and we were surprised to see 'Logan', a beautiful yellow lab, come sprinting from the Lakestar Lodge. His owner was right behind him, but the dog had no idea he was on ice the way he sprinted towards us with his tail wagging.

Next, Kayleah and I ventured out a little further on the ice in front of Traders Landing and High Mountain Sports. You could see that there had been plenty of snowmobiles leaving their marks on the ice and snow. Kayleah made a heart in the snow and it turned out to be a great picture, as you can see. It was FREEZING with the wind chill, so we only stayed out for 15 minutes or so. Overall, FUN DAY!


If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Celebrating 31 years at Deep Creek Lake!

Celebrating my 31st year on Earth - and living in Garrett County, Maryland! Started with a few brews from Mountain State Brew Pub (Miner's Daughter stout...mmmm) and a Hawaiian flat bread (pizza) with some great friends prior to the show. Then it was a short trip over to the Wisp. The ski slopes were packed! We had a great time at the Comedy Blast at Wisp Ski Resort on Friday night. The comedians were hilarious and there were a lot of friends there to enjoy it with us. After the show, a group of us went to Boardwalk for a drink and some...karaoke! My good friend Rita Powell sang a few tunes, joined by my wife Jessica, Nancy Jo Fratz, and Autumn Newcomb. It's not quite karaoke night without a tune from Janice Spiker, who belted out an awesome version of Bobby McGee; and also Patty Chapman. Overall, great time. Typical freezing cold winter night at Deep Creek Lake! Wish you were here!

Swallow Falls in a Rage

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From the cover of the Republican News online:

Melting snow and days of rain created a dangerous situation in much of Garrett County Sunday and Monday, with flooding taking place in most waterways, some very serious. Swallow Falls, shown above, was nearly unrecognizable as the waters roiled up and over the riverbed on Monday. Muddy Creek, which flows into the Youghiogheny just downstream from the location above, became so swollen that it took out the bridge to the Youghiogheny Mountain Resort (YMR), which is the only entry to the area. For a short time, some residents were stranded there while others could not get home. A temporary bridge was put in place early this week, according to Brad Frantz at the Garrett County Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management, and the permanent one is to be installed early next week. The temporary bridge has a weight capacity that will allow any needed emergency vehicles, Frantz noted. He said while some roads were closed for a time because of flooding on Monday, there were no reports of injury or danger outside of the YMR situation. The temperatures went back down Wednesday, to the usual January weather in Garrett County. Snow is falling and will continue to fall for a few days, according to the forecast. Photo by Jim Riley.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Planning Group Slates Hearing On Land Ordinances

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The Garrett County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing concerning proposed revisions to three principal land development ordinances on Saturday, Feb. 6, in the Garrett College auditorium at 10 a.m.
The proposed revisions would affect the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning, Garrett County Subdivision, and Garrett County Sensitive Areas ordinances.

Initial preliminary drafts of these three ordinances were released for public review on Sept. 29, 2009, by the Garrett County Department of Planning and Land Development.

The Planning Commission then sponsored a public information meeting on the initial draft on Oct. 14, 2009. Since that time, the Planning Commission has accepted citizen comments submitted at the public meeting and in writing or by e-mail.

Read the rest of the article here

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Garrett County Commissioners Hear Staff Reports

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Community Action

The Liberty Mews housing development is 1½ months ahead of schedule, thanks to great weather in October, Community Action president Duane Yoder reported.

"I think it will be on the market in summer," Yoder said.

Renters will have the opportunity to buy units at the development, located along Liberty Street in Oakland.

Yoder also reported that Community Action's home energy assistance program helped the same number of residents this winter as the previous one, but had fewer dollars to do so.


Read the rest of the article here.


If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Garrett County could sell properties deliquent on utilities

Would be part of annual tax sale in May

Megan Miller
Cumberland Times-News

OAKLAND — Garrett County property owners who are 60 or more days delinquent on payment of their water and sewer bills could see their properties put up for public tax sale as early as May.

That’s according to County Administrator Monty Pagenhardt, who said the county has to find a way to recoup the thousands of dollars it is owed for those public utilities.

“The next tax sale is May, so since we already have that authority, those delinquent properties will go forward,” he said.

Since the annual tax sale is held in May, owners who run delinquent in the summer could go nearly a year before their properties could be put up for sale, while owners who run delinquent in the beginning of the calendar year might have only a few months before the county takes action.

Jeff Broadwater, an accountant with the Department of Public Utilities, said as of Wednesday the county was owed $328,322 in unpaid water and sewer bills, from 633 different accounts. That’s an increase of about $46,000 since November, and $25,000 of that increase is attributable to 17 accounts that owe the most.

In November, the county commission submitted a legislative request to Sen. George Edwards and Delegate Wendell Beitzel asking for the authority to sell properties to collect payment, a method also used in cases of unpaid real estate taxes.

But it retracted the request Monday, after Beitzel pointed out, and an attorney confirmed, that the commission already has the necessary authority under existing code, Pagenhardt said.

The commission also retracted a legislative request Jan. 21 which would have enabled it to increase the county hotel rental tax from 5 percent to a maximum of 8 percent. Pagenhardt attributed that retraction to concerns from businesses that the measure would hurt the county’s tourism industry, driving down income from vacation rentals.

Edwards and Beitzel said they will pursue several other pieces of legislation during the 2010 session targeting Garrett County issues. Those include enabling legislation to allow the commission to implement setback ordinances and decommissioning provisions for wind energy turbines, measures to change the way title searches for dormant mineral rights are conducted and solutions to the shortage of OB/GYN services in the county.



If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Community Trust Foundation seeking aid from counties

Megan Miller
Cumberland Times-News

KEYSER, W.Va. — The Community Trust Foundation is asking the commissioners of Allegany, Garrett and Mineral counties for thousands of dollars to help pay its administrative costs through the year.

Terry Stephens, a representative of the organization, pitched the request to the Mineral County Commission at its meeting Tuesday night, asking for a contribution of $15,000, mainly to cover staffing costs.

Stephens explained that most of those costs to this point have been paid by the Tri-County Council, the Maryland organization that first fostered the foundation. But because of funding cuts, the council has withdrawn all its financial support.

“We’ve been left without any type of staff right now,” Stephens said. “We’re going to need some help this year.”

Commissioner Cindy Pyles asked Stephens if the foundation will need money from the county commissions every year in order to keep up its operations.

“I think we are about three to four years away from being self-sufficient,” Stephens said. “Honestly, I see us asking each commission for something like $15,000 this year, $10,000 next year and $5,000 the following year.”

Since its creation three years ago, the foundation has operated with the understanding that it would eventually become self-sufficient, he said. But it wasn’t expected to stand on its own for at least five years.

Stephens said the foundation does have about $5 million at its disposal for granting, but only a small percentage of that money can be used to pay the organization’s administrative costs.

Its board members have pledged $5,000 apiece to help shore up the foundation through the upcoming year, he said, but available revenue only adds up to about $38,000. It will require about $45,000 more, or a total of about $83,000, to operate with just a part-time staff.

The Mineral County Commission didn’t act on his request Tuesday, but will consider it in the coming weeks along with other budget issues, the commissioners said.

The foundation recently moved out of office space provided by the Tri-County-Council at the Allegany Business Center at Frostburg State University and into donated office space on the second floor of the Susquehanna Bank building at 71 Baltimore St. in Cumberland. The Appalachian Regional Commission awarded a grant for new computers, phones and other office equipment. Western Maryland Health System donated the office furniture, and Air Con Engineering assisted with the move.

The Community Trust Foundation of Allegany, Garrett and Mineral counties is a private, nonprofit organization set up to make it easier for individuals and organizations who wish to make a long-term lasting impact on specific areas of local society to do so, according to a news release from the organization. It administers funds to benefit the arts, literacy, history and education, among other areas.

Stephens said the foundation awarded about $75,000 in grants around the three-county area in 2009, about $10,000 of that to Mineral County entities.

Contact


If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Buyer Client Info - Federal Housing Tax Credit

Here is some clear, concise info regarding the Federal Housing Tax credit. Keep in mind, you are on the clock: Contract by April 30, 2010, close by June 30, 2010:

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/key_info.php

Key Information

Following are key points that prospective home buyers should be aware of when considering a home purchase under the tax credit program.
•A tax credit of up to $8,000 is available for first-time home buyers purchasing on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. In cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.
•A tax credit of up to $6,500 is available for repeat home buyers who have owned a home for five consecutive years out of the prior eight years. The repeat home buyer tax credit applies to houses sold after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. In cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.
•Income limits of $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for married couples filing jointly apply to all sales occurring after Nov. 6, 2009.
•The income limits for sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before November 6, 2009 are $75,000 for individual taxpayers and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.
•Homes priced above $800,000 are not eligible for either the first-time home buyer tax credit or the repeat home buyer tax credit.
•Expanded tax credit benefits apply to members of the military, the foreign service and the intelligence community.
•Home purchases in 2010 may be claimed on an amended 2009 income tax return.
•Persons who are claimed as dependents by a taxpayer or who are under age 18 do not qualify for a tax credit.
•Home purchases from relatives of the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse do not qualify for the tax credit. The IRS defines relatives as ancestors (parent, grandparent, etc.), lineal descendants (child, grandchildren, etc.) and spouses.
•Married couples are not eligible to claim the first-time home buyer tax credit if either spouse has previously owned a home. They may, however, qualify for the repeat home buyer tax credit.
•Neither the first-time home buyer tax credit nor the repeat home buyer tax credit have to be repaid unless the home is sold or ceases to be used as the buyer’s principal residence within three years after the initial purchase.
•Taxpayers must submit a copy of the HUD-1 settlement statement and IRS Form 5405 to claim either the first-time home buyer tax credit or the repeat home buyer tax credit.


If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Welcome back winter! 2-3 inches of fresh powder!

The roads were clear until I hit Little Sandy's hill this morning, and from there on, it was a little sloppy. But, if you ask me, I would rather deal with the cold white snow than the gloomy rain we have been receiving. Here are a few pics from my office this morning - that should be the Wisp in the background...





If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Push continues for North/South Highway

Cumberland Times-News

As chambers of commerce, our organizations all share a common mission to enhance the business environment and serve as engines for economic growth.

While each chamber operates independently and develops its own business-focused agenda, we have recently identified a singular issue that is of critical importance to each of our counties — the North/South Appalachian Highway.

This key transportation corridor is defined as Route 219 North, linking Garrett County, Md., to Somerset County, Pa., and Route 220 South, connecting Allegany County to Mineral County, W.Va. Bridging these two highways is Interstate 68, which has already proven to be a significant contributor to the economic vitality of our region.

Our shared interest in developing a viable north/south transportation corridor to compliment I-68 reflects an understanding of the positive effects that such intersecting highway systems have on business development.

New businesses mean new jobs and a renewed sense of economic prosperity.

Nearly a year ago, The Greater Cumberland Committee identified the North/South Appalachian Highway as an important economic development tool and determined that its advancement would be their No. 1 priority.

Since that time, our chambers have joined their efforts and have served as county-specific engines of progress on this highway. With well over 100 other businesses and organizations, we have worked together through the North/South Appalachian Highway Coalition to champion this project and together we have overcome significant hurdles and achieved key successes.

Building a major transportation corridor does not happen overnight, but the actions that have been taken over the past 12 months have renewed the commitment to its successful completion. We believe that 2010 will be equally as productive.

On behalf of the hundreds of businesses we represent, we will continue to be active participants in advancing the North/South Appalachian Highway.

Ron Aldom, Somerset County (Pa.)

Joyce Bishoff, Garrett County

Kolin Jan, Allegany County

Anne Palmer, Mineral County (W.Va.)

Chambers of Commerce



If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Existing-home sales take a big fall in December

From the Washington Post:

Sales of previously owned homes took their biggest tumble in at least 40 years last month as the impact of a buying spree spurred by a tax credit for first-time buyers waned, according to industry data released Monday.

Those who rushed to meet the original November deadline to take advantage of an $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers caused a surge in sales earlier in 2009, but left the market wobbly by the end of the year. First-time buyers, who made up more than 50 percent of sales earlier last year, represented just 43 percent of the market in December. The shift also resulted in fewer sales of lower-cost homes, which first-time buyers typically seek.
(more from the Washington Post article)


If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Our Town Theatre in Oakland

I wanted to do a quick blog post about Our Town Theatre in Oakland, Maryland. I dropped my daughter, Kayleah, off on Saturday for one of their kids programs (Kidstuff). I saw the owner/operator, Jane Avery, and Angie Sincell was there assisting. Kayleah had a great time and it was tough getting her to leave when it was time!

Jane was also working on some props for 'Letters to the Editor', their current production. I have included some info on the schedules from their website. Stop by and support Our Town Theatre!
______________________

Letters to the Editor will run January 28 - 30 at 8PM and Sunday January 31 at 2PM. There will be a dress rehearsal at 8PM January 27 for high school students.

Auditions for Our Town are noon - 4PM on January 30, 7PM-9PM on January 31, and 7PM-9PM on February 1. Rehearsals will start February 8. Performances will be March 24-28.

Our Town performances will be March 22 through 28.

Kidstuff, creative dramatics for children grades K-5, will meet 10:30AM - noon January 23, February 6, February 20, and March 6.

For more information about any event, call 301-334-5640

Our Town Theatre
121 East Center St
Oakland, MD 21550
301-334-5640
http://www.ourtowntheatre.org/

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

County road crews pull the plug after rainfall

Basins, culverts cleared to remedy water-covered roads

From Staff Reports
Cumberland Times-News

OAKLAND — Water-covered roadways were reported in Garrett County at mid-afternoon Monday, prompting county road crews into action to unclog water basins and culverts.

“It’s kind of winding down now,” said Jay Moyer, superintendent of the Garrett County roads department. We had steady rain all through the night but we are expecting colder temperatures that will slow the melting.”

Foster, Blue Ribbon and Silver Knob roads were closed temporarily due to high water. Routes that remained passable but with water on the roadway included Boiling Springs, Garrett, Jasper Riley and Crellin Mine roads as of 3 p.m. A minor mudslide on White Rock Road was “cleared up” by county workers at that hour.

The Garrett County 911 center was not able to provide any information about the water-related emergencies.

In Grant County, W.Va., a flood warning remained in effect Monday evening. The South Branch of the Potomac River was expected to crest at Petersburg at 14 feet, one foot above flood stage, at 1 p.m., according to the Grant County 911 center. The emergency center said “no problems” had occurred from the rising waterways in the county as of mid-afternoon.

Schools were dismissed early in Hampshire County, W.Va., due to the potential for small streams to flood some secondary roads, according to a dispatcher at the 911 center. Flooding of the Potomac River in that county was not expected until Tuesday morning, he said.

Maryland Natural Resour-ces Police is advising the public to refrain from boating and other recreational uses of the Upper Potomac River, including creeks and streams due to hazardous water levels from Cumberland to Little Falls.

The advisory extends through Wednesday and will be updated at that time if necessary.

Flood warnings were posted by the National Weather Service at 6:30 p.m. Monday for the South Branch near Springfield, W.Va., and the Potomac at Paw Paw, W.Va.



If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350