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DNR urges program continuity as transfer‑tax diversions, oyster restoration and Great Maryland Outdoors Act implementation draw scrutiny
Summary
The Department of Natural Resources told the subcommittee its capital budget focuses on water and land projects, highlighted acquisitions including Savage Highland State Park, and said it is accelerating procurement and regionally structuring work to implement the Great Maryland Outdoors Act amid concerns about transfers from Program Open Space.
Andrew Gray of the Department of Legislative Services presented DNR’s FY26 capital analysis, noting 11 programs (9 funded in FY26), the role of transfer tax revenue in Program Open Space, and an $85 million under‑attainment in transfer tax receipts that reduced funding for acquisition and related programs.
Gray asked DNR to describe how the department will account for the Whole Watershed Fund and how federal funding volatility could affect oyster restoration and sanctuaries. He also asked for updates on the Great Maryland Outdoors Act implementation and on the long‑term plan for oyster spat and substrate procurement.
Joshua Kurtz, secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, highlighted acquisitions and program work. He announced the pending acquisition and renaming of Savage River Lodge as Savage Highland State Park and said the property includes a revenue stream that can help sustain park operations. Kurtz also described importation of West Coast shell to increase available substrate for oyster spat and reported strong spat sets, while noting NOAA funding remains subject to federal appropriations.
On Great Maryland Outdoors Act (chapter 39 of 2022) implementation, Kurtz said DNR has stood up a procurement review group, a capital budget team meeting twice monthly and regional teams to move projects into contract, and reported more than $3.2 million in contracts for historic preservation and climate resilience projects. He acknowledged the pace of implementation needs to increase and outlined procurement and contracting changes to accelerate work.
Gray and multiple constituency witnesses urged full funding for Program Open Space and related transfer‑tax programs and requested that any diversions be repaid per prior precedent; DNR and conservation groups said consistent funding is critical to meet the 40% preservation goal.
