[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6105066,"mediaKeyId","2787501-1a4f26c1410801a69e14565e0df0d91f","parentId",2787501,"title","County presents Arrowhead Cove dredging pilot: 11,000 cubic yards removed, lessons learned","audioSeconds",1024,"startMs",3401000,"endMs",4425000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787501-1a4f26c1410801a69e14565e0df0d91f&start=3401&end=4425","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787501-1a4f26c1410801a69e14565e0df0d91f/thumbnail_3401000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6105066/Garrett-County/Maryland/County-presents-Arrowhead-Cove-dredging-pilot-11000-cubic-yards-removed-lessons-learned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105066-355e272578a963b388e2b8b517a6d105/orig.mp4?Expires=1773079172&Signature=oGfojb2HpOff9N~AkP1sYX40x0PrfRA7xBt1fop4wDT8G9LCTRkPLH3MbkhlQ4rGAyq006OT6BbmHFs0L9MPrWsn~bbIFE1Du2IY0AFPgXC1YPPL8b96KJG106wqLhQf9ejkwHeEY3S7LlOPFbpiHj9zjHEBOWS8F230L7oGiV4zZTWyyu~dsyl1zCH~8hAAQu5w8IaPZ3v7hYGPXSjT8A9hLX9kw6EB1wfcM-8uMT5CLYEGVq0iZun1GT8omB3BLf~m6OVnUFb2QrCgksTekBjHEQUhLtPPMDV2MChBSv05I2dCXnKXlwSvOfCMgmIiY6uuX-nQ3sAmVQHT2f2u-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-27T05:20:32.153Z","article","County staff on Feb. 3 presented a final report on the pilot dredging project at Arrowhead Cove on Deep Creek Lake, summarizing methods, outcomes and lessons learned from a project funded by the state.

Bruce Michaels of county staff described the project as a state-funded pilot to test whether mechanical dry dredging is an effective method to remove accumulated sediment from one of the lake’s sediment-impacted coves. Project activity began with staging-area preparation in October 2023; dewatering and cofferdam installation were performed in the fall/winter, excavation started Dec. 1, 2023, and work continued through January 2024.

Key findings and details:

- Volume removed: Staff reported removal of more than 11,000 cubic yards of sediment; the initial target had been about 15,000 cubic yards but funding limited the amount removed.

- Method: Mechanical excavation in the dry, after installing cofferdams and diverting Arrowhead Run through large-diameter hoses, followed by trucking excavated sediment to a staging field to dewater. County staff said the material was classified as clean and used as landfill cover, avoiding disposal costs.

- Cost and funding: The county said the project cost approximately $2.5 million and was entirely funded by the state for the pilot project.

- Benefits: The project improved boating and swimming access in the cove even during drought-level lake conditions; installed submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and in-water rock structures to support fish habitat.

- Constraints and lessons: Mechanical dry dredging was effective but expensive and weather-dependent; winter work created high cost and logistical complexity. Hydraulic dredging (work in open water) is cheaper and could allow work in summer but would affect recreational use during the season and may require different permits. The county released a lessons-learned report (posted on the county website) and described ongoing monitoring of habitat effects.

Ending: County staff said the project demonstrated dredging can remove accumulated sediment but that cost, timing and permitting are significant factors for future work; funding sources and public impacts will determine whether additional coves are targeted for dredging.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Meeting - February 3, 2024 - Board of Commissioners of Garrett County, Maryland","oneSentenceSummary","County staff and contractors reported results from a pilot dredging project at Arrowhead Cove on Deep Creek Lake: mechanical dry excavation removed about 11,000 cubic yards of sediment at a cost covered by the state, restored boating access and required significant staging, cofferdam work and upland restoration.","taxTitle","Garrett County , Maryland","taxId",52516,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6105070,"Garrett County economic development team lists projects, jobs and infrastructure plans",563,2347000,2910000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787501-1a4f26c1410801a69e14565e0df0d91f&start=2347&end=2910","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787501-1a4f26c1410801a69e14565e0df0d91f/thumbnail_2347000.jpg","/articles/6105070/Garrett-County/Maryland/Garrett-County-economic-development-team-lists-projects-jobs-and-infrastructure-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105070-af927798641d8dbc17ca48b0ab566b44/orig.mp4?Expires=1773079172&Signature=DHK5no5eeGEscWkny88yUl282lqm81FAeUXF~wX~s6MlKrXSad8K9yDTRCsUsT9~G-Pzp6nmnJ4ITlzlmnx91j7pMZ3GSQuVjOs9e2630qyyhjdcaT8YECgEkU4nlXLwrY3BGlO9OD--Ki9M~afaVDd6~6cBH0R5hTdm2bjg93Tp4M2P2TCLZTdDvgxpiQPawRiFmmycysqHbY276ze60PB7fDzzro0DKpNFN8rNf~2xfyCKKW9Lk3xb8xGAaSftzCsLh1NPlbtxdLbwHbnPd6hqCiuOLlR3Ye0x5tXDMjWOmRvE-y4pXEHWUGBsOkOzWlFfz4WoHWTLSXO0a~-XRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Garrett County’s economic development staff on Feb. 3 reported multiple projects across the county that they said will create jobs, add business facilities and expand infrastructure.

Staff said 2024 produced a number of new or completed projects and that 2025 is shaping up as an active year for business recruitment and expansion. Updates included housing and commercial projects, business relocations, planned industrial buildings and airport improvements.

Key items reported:

- Grantsville attainable-housing project: Ground is broken and reservations are being accepted online, staff said. The county characterizes the multi-site housing initiative as a three-phase program (Grantsville, McHenry, Oakland) and said Grantsville is accepting reservations.

- Sunrise Sanitation: A county resolution recently approved will allow Sunrise Sanitation to buy a roughly 4-acre parcel in the Southern Garrett business park; staff said the company will relocate operations from West Virginia and create 26 new full-time jobs.

- Keiser’s Ridge Business Park: Staff said they are under agreement to sell about 15 acres to an unnamed company; the county also awarded a bid to Daystar Builders to build a 50,000-square-foot speculative (shell) building, and planned installation of two 30,000-gallon centralized propane tanks to serve future tenants.

- Gentry and McHenry business parks: Kenneth Behrends and a company in the cannabis processing/ingredients sector have plans that could create 40–60 full-time positions; additional local developers are expanding operations.

- Airport: New airport manager Addison Wire was introduced; staff reported eight new hangars planned on the west apron, new biplane tour operations launching in spring and work with FAA/MAA on a business-park access road.

- Solar: The county said it hosts two of the largest solar projects in Maryland on reclaimed strip-mine land (a ~900-acre project called Solar Backbone and another project over 1,000 acres in the Bloomington area) and is receiving numerous community solar filings.

Why it matters: County staff framed the portfolio as diversified economic development — multiple industries and project types — and highlighted that state and regional grant funds have been used to leverage local investment. Commissioners and staff said many projects rely on non–county funding and that locally available grants such as the George Edwards fund have been critical.

Quotes and context: \"We're holding our own quite well here in when the rest of Maryland is struggling economically,\" an economic development lead said. Staff emphasized that two large solar projects are proposed on reclaimed mine lands rather than active farmland.

Ending: Staff asked residents and businesses to engage with development staff and noted several projects are at permitting or engineering stages; the county said it will continue to use grants and partnerships to limit county taxpayer exposure while advancing projects that add jobs and taxable activity.","Economic development staff presented 2024–25 project updates including housing projects, business expansions, a new Sunrise Sanitation facility (26 net new jobs), Keiser's Ridge infrastructure, airport hangars and two large solar projects on reclaimed mine lands.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6105074,"Garrett County officials raise questions about proposed transmission route, oppose private eminent domain",406,1668000,2074000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787501-1a4f26c1410801a69e14565e0df0d91f&start=1668&end=2074","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787501-1a4f26c1410801a69e14565e0df0d91f/thumbnail_1668000.jpg","/articles/6105074/Garrett-County/Maryland/Garrett-County-officials-raise-questions-about-proposed-transmission-route-oppose-private-eminent-domain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105074-0e1c172cebcef67f2fe2bc5d331a6e29/orig.mp4?Expires=1773079172&Signature=InJuHdOL2R2PS4lemETzuQArF1UkQi8u2fxM-JBi4fHWozJuhxZup9SJOPXersARdFBoBAWWRMES4ZDfTqYMSn4jvysF6eqGxS-Ia-hiTwVneOueLuCQETge~GX6vzZJa-49WBrAsCMImYb0QJCf2ZSvF1aEh6uShJ6LE0T9XuPGf~BTTVJyO~8wVVKRv9F8-KiwP47U4qOoTyoyN9gT3X7NaxEicdQHcasLac3kTqq7vYxz~lbyRItXuOPVVvHBvcH4kRCHRuIChR4N~mSRld42NHj5oA3IGS86dDVr~LGOYSB1rdUDpKi63rvCzbGYqC2j5VjEsto7egb3t7g7dw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Garrett County commissioners on Feb. 3 described limited information on a proposed high-voltage transmission corridor that could cross parts of the county and said they oppose any grant of eminent-domain authority to a private, for-profit company.

Commissioners said the measure under discussion — a bill filed in the state senate — would allow power companies to extend transmission lines across state forest lands in some circumstances and noted that a permit from the Maryland Public Service Commission would still be required for construction. \"We are not going to support it, and we are not going to oppose it because we do not have near enough information or facts,\" a commissioner said of the senator’s bill. Separately the board said it \"vehemently oppose[s] any private for profit entity to have the ability to claim eminent domain. We will oppose that.\"

Why it matters: County officials said a utility route could affect private properties on the northern end of the county and that a permit decision by the PSC — if treated as an emergency — could empower a utility to condemn private property under eminent-domain procedures. Commissioners asked the company identified in public materials, NextEra, to hold informational sessions so residents can see proposed alignments and ask questions.

Commissioners said NextEra had met privately with commissioners several months earlier and promised maps and talking points, but the county had not yet received detailed routing information. A company map shared with a county staff member shortly before the meeting showed only a broad oblong corridor in the northern county area that could include Friendsville, Grantsville, Bittinger/Benninger, and Finzel (transcript references). Commissioners said that if state ground is made available, the company may draw its line to maximize use of state property; if not, routes would likely cross more private land.

Public comment at the meeting included requests for better public notice and for the county to press for information; a resident asked whether local businesses could tap the transmission line for economic development. Commissioners said they will request that NextEra hold public informational meetings and will continue to consult DNR and the county’s legislative delegation as the bill proceeds.

Ending: The board cautioned that it has limited information and urged residents to contact the senator sponsoring the bill and county staff for updates; commissioners pledged to oppose any transfer of eminent-domain power to private companies if that becomes an issue.","Commissioners said they lack details on a proposal by NextEra and a related bill that could expand use of state forest for transmission lines; they said they will not support transferring eminent-domain powers to private companies and asked the company for public informational meetings.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6105076,"Garrett County commissioners say they will not seek charter change or tax increases now, outline housing plan",499,948000,1447000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787501-1a4f26c1410801a69e14565e0df0d91f&start=948&end=1447","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787501-1a4f26c1410801a69e14565e0df0d91f/thumbnail_948000.jpg","/articles/6105076/Garrett-County/Maryland/Garrett-County-commissioners-say-they-will-not-seek-charter-change-or-tax-increases-now-outline-housing-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105076-8bfa471aa781e9a76eaa2d1941beddc1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773079172&Signature=XEASVtyfMCYqBaMWo7uAf~Fv5xD1XEooW~VItfQiH98MB~N-eC~KeTrhpn98AZdLOIKUGQ2are1q~a75ZU1czwVxNpWIbdSK-GkPlscPdeOGQe5JfrcqMw0XQYxTw4~q3Uy8x3itTHEh5ec23MQda9m-J5R~OEZOzUeZ5FvVKlzVZchFreTQayQyGUVHKwA44nLkDcJGyecaltcmOCrkrSzAPru9ZsFmMG58U7w7Eq3Q-3ZKn-iGURFPUIPYmfxw1Bd2srcIwnMJEQryPx0Nt3zfvg~tebwTxG8j-P0YHwccfUMUSSOIVHSDdrdASfS5MA1K~Zc3vWYDr2m9ihQ2CA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Garrett County commissioners told residents on Feb. 3 they will take no action to seek a change to the county charter’s method for electing commissioners and that the board is not petitioning the legislature to raise the transfer or accommodations tax at this time.

During a lengthy opening statement, a commissioner reviewed the county charter language governing commissioner elections and said the current countywide primary/general system is the method on file with the state. \"We will take no action on that,\" the commissioner said regarding a resident request to pursue charter changes.

On the transfer and accommodations tax, the commissioners said any change would require state legislative action and that, after reviewing the county’s current housing projects and funding, \"we are not going to seek to raise transfer tax or the accommodations tax at this time or any other tax for that matter.\" The board left open the possibility of revisiting funding options once preliminary engineering work and cost estimates are completed.

Why it matters: Residents and several meeting speakers urged the board to consider new local revenue streams to fund housing and services, while commissioners described a multi-site, multi-phase attainable housing strategy they say has minimal county taxpayer exposure so far.

Commissioners described a three-phase plan for attainable housing: a project in Grantsville (ground broken and accepting reservations for homes), a second project in McHenry (preliminary engineering under way), and a third planned for Oakland. The board said these projects, plus additional local projects, could total roughly 1,000 new homes over the coming decade if all phases proceed.

At the meeting, resident Len Shindell proposed a draft bill to target higher-value real-estate transfer tax revenue to housing and related supports; he said a similar proposal had been submitted to the county’s state delegates but was judged too late for the current legislative session. Shindell asked the commissioners to host a public forum on revenue options; commissioners said they will meet with stakeholders but gave no immediate commitment to sponsor local enabling legislation.

The board reiterated it had braided state and federal grants into housing projects to limit required county taxpayer funding and highlighted Grantsville’s project as actively taking reservations online. Commissioners said they will revisit funding conversations after engineering estimates are clearer.

Ending: Commissioners invited continued public engagement during the budget process and cautioned that legislative changes would require state approval. Several residents who spoke urged a focused public discussion on revenue and housing priorities prior to next year’s legislative deadlines.","Board members told the Feb. 3 meeting they will not petition the state to change the county commissioner election method or ask the legislature to raise the transfer or accommodations tax at this time; commissioners described a three-phase attainable housing plan already underway.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6105080,"Garrett County commissioners adopt proclamation urging uninterrupted funding for Community Action programs",220,545000,765000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2787501-1a4f26c1410801a69e14565e0df0d91f&start=545&end=765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2787501-1a4f26c1410801a69e14565e0df0d91f/thumbnail_545000.jpg","/articles/6105080/Garrett-County/Maryland/Garrett-County-commissioners-adopt-proclamation-urging-uninterrupted-funding-for-Community-Action-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105080-30e8b80cc927cff6b88aa9199529d720/orig.mp4?Expires=1773079172&Signature=dZPW7gfoDoG03fIYR3NHbW17y2XguOLLhRTrX53Nbl1l63lEKCvxHaSbJMR9STJzuP6BtD3JYG3fOlyj0hgCIETnSW-VPMK-SP7HvKEtXPdFa60CPxiRX5N~7YwIfEMzSYVQWpKJmbd8wsICMgWK2s8JAwI48sd65xzZ5mGwWLc~ZDnf2Y74vE6OgsL5ruEF6YvFjzn59jyy8zuNf2FQLA2J3zg~gT6eWzn6Gc~wBLMJjyMK4k4RgNFrwFsCyVepMXZkmTYmGF58fBlqehRtyKfTL91QlzOFKqZRSE6CVVZJvgCTpF6Wn1o1-6AqTqwBVYXH67moMhQQhuiEWYJLWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Garrett County commissioners on Feb. 3 read a proclamation declaring the board’s support for uninterrupted funding of programs run by the Garrett County Community Action Committee, Incorporated.

The proclamation, read into the minutes by a commissioner, listed county services supported by Community Action including Head Start, Section 8 housing vouchers, meals on wheels, rental assistance, homeless services, utility assistance, emergency food and shelter, weatherization, first-time homebuyer assistance, transit, independent living, senior ombudsman services, congregate senior meals and senior home modification programs.

The proclamation said those programs bring $10,674,380 in federally funded assistance to Garrett County and asserted that more than 25% of the county’s roughly 28,000 residents benefit directly from the services. It directed that the signed proclamation be sent to the county’s state and federal legislative delegations. A representative of the Community Action agency accepted the document for the agency’s records.

Why it matters: County officials and Community Action leaders said interruptions in federal funding would quickly affect services for low-income residents and could force staffing cuts. At the meeting, agency leaders described a recent episode in which federal funding uncertainty briefly threatened large Head Start layoffs before funding for that program was restored.

Chris Mullitt, identified in the meeting as with Community Action, described the moment last week when the agency faced the prospect of laying off 80 Head Start employees and displacing about 200 children and families. \"Last Tuesday was maybe the worst day of my life professionally,\" Mullitt said. He said public and political pressure restored funding for Head Start but left other program funding still uncertain.

Regina Gerhardt, identified as the agency’s vice president of operations, joined Mullitt in describing the operational risks when federal flows stop and thanked the commissioners for their support during the brief funding crisis.

Commissioners said they would forward the proclamation to state and federal lawmakers to underline local concerns. The proclamation text recorded at the meeting states the board \"declares its full support for uninterrupted funding for the programs conducted by the Garrett County Community Action Committee, Incorporated\" and notes it was made Feb. 3, 2025.

Ending: County staff said the proclamation will be added to the meeting record and forwarded to the county’s legislative delegations. Community Action leaders said they will continue outreach to state and national partners to protect program funding.","The Garrett County Board of Commissioners read and recorded a proclamation supporting continuous federal funding for the Garrett County Community Action Committee, citing programs that serve roughly a quarter of the county and describing recent funding uncertainty that nearly caused layoffs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County presents Arrowhead Cove dredging pilot: 11,000 cubic yards removed, lessons learned

Garrett County economic development team lists projects, jobs and infrastructure plans

Garrett County officials raise questions about proposed transmission route, oppose private eminent domain

Garrett County commissioners say they will not seek charter change or tax increases now, outline housing plan

Garrett County commissioners adopt proclamation urging uninterrupted funding for Community Action programs