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Officials outline land-preservation programs, report nearly 31,700 acres preserved
Summary
Economic development staff described county land-preservation programs (MALPF, Rural Legacy, REPI and a new urban legacy option), reported more than 31,700 acres preserved to date and said roughly 8,756 acres are in the current pipeline pending appraisals and approvals.
County economic development staff told the Planning Commission on March 9 that St. Mary's County leverages multiple land-preservation programs to protect farmland, open space and military flight zones.
Cindy Greb, director of economic development, summarized three primary programs the county uses: the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program (MALPF), the state Rural Legacy program and the Navy's REPI (readiness and environmental protection integration) match. "For every dollar that St. Mary's County contributes to that program, MDA contributes $133," Greb said, describing how combining county, state and federal funding reduces the county's relative cost to preserve land.
Greb outlined recent program activity: MALPF has about 942 acres currently in the application pipeline; combined, MALPF and Rural Legacy have preserved more than 31,700 acres in the county to date; and staff reported about 8,756 acres in the near-term pipeline valued at roughly $6,134,834 pending appraisals, Navy approval and other processes. She emphasized these programs are lengthy (staff cited an 18'4 month process for pipeline projects) and rely on nonprofit land trusts to administer easements and make projects eligible for state and federal funding.
Timbering and use rules: When asked whether timbering can occur on preserved land, Greb said easements commonly include forest conservation plans that may allow selective timbering consistent with conservation objectives and the easement terms; she directed landowners to the soil conservation district and the county agricultural office for specific guidance.
Urban legacy: Greb also described a recently approved urban-legacy program the county is finalizing criteria for; it is intended to allow land-preservation easements in parts of the Lexington Park development district in limited cases when preservation meets program criteria.
What's next: Greb said projects in the pipeline require appraisals, phase-one studies and approvals (including Navy review where REPI funds are involved) before final transactions, and staff will continue processing applications and coordinating with land trusts and state and federal partners.
