For Immediate Release
June 30, 2000
Contact: Debra DeShong
(202) 225-4131

Hoyer Secures Funding For Charles County Land Preservation

Washington, DC- Congressman Steny Hoyer today announced that he secured 
$2 million to preserve land in western Charles County as part of President Clinton's Lands Legacy Initiative. The funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2000 Emergency Appropriations Conference Report which passed last night. The report is now going to President Clinton for his signature.

"With this funding, we are ensuring that future generations will be able to enjoy the beauty of Southern Maryland's natural resources," said Congressman Hoyer. "Open space in Maryland is rapidly disappearing, so I am extremely pleased that Congress has made it a priority to preserve this valuable green space. With the purchase of this land, the public will be able to access this land for recreational use, something I think is important for land preservation plans. I will also continue to work hard in Congress to make more investments in our environment like this one and to preserve the precious resources we have around us."

"This furthers our efforts to preserve Maryland's historic environmental heritage by committing funding to maintain green space throughout Southern Maryland," said Senator Paul S. Sarbanes, who strongly supports the Douglas Point land acquisition. "My thanks to Congressman Hoyer who worked diligently to obtain this critical funding for this land preservation project."

President Clinton's Lands Legacy Initiative is a national program dedicated to preserving the natural heritage, historic sites and green spaces which make America unique. 

The "Douglas Point Project," as it is being called, will be funded through the Bureau of Land Management in the Department of the Interior. The majority of the land, 5,513 acres, is privately owned. It consists of the Wilson Farm-Mallows Bay Property located on the Route 224 corridor in Liverpool Point, the Canter North and South properties located on route 224 between Indian Head and Nanjemoy, and land owned by PEPCO in that same area. Also included in the preservation project are two additional parcels of land adjacent to one another along the Mattawoman Creek. The lands are identified as the Barbara Alford and Hungerford properties.

"Douglas Point" contains a number of public park holdings in addition to the currently privately held properties. The public lands include the following: Piscataway National Park, Purse State Park, Smallwood State Park (including the Chapmans Landing property), the Ruth B. Swan County Park, the Mattawoman Natural Environmental Area, Chapel Point State Park, Doncaster State Forest, and Friendship Landing County Park.

The area which is designated for preservation includes the location of a Civil War encampment of 25,000 troops, native Indian archeological sites, wildlife habitat for animals including the American bald eagle, osprey, egret, and painted tortoise, and unique wetland and woodland habitat.

"These properties are more than just open spaces, they are historical sites as well. By investing the money in this project now, we will be preserving pieces of our heritage for our children," said Congressman Hoyer.

The Bureau of Land Management plans to assess the land to determine the appropriate mix of access, recreational use and preservation. They will seek public comments so that local residents can participate in the planning process.

The federal government will coordinate the effort with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Charles County government. The State of Maryland has approved a matching appropriation of $3 million from the legislature for the purchase of the land.