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Garrett County Forestry Board News

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Bark & Bites November 2006 -

GARRETT COUNTY
Forest Conservancy District Board
1728 Kings Run Road
Oakland, MD 21550
301-334-3296

Barks 'n Bites
Of Your Garrett County Forest Conservancy Board
www.gcforest.sailorsite.net. Chairman Chuck Hoffeditz,
301-387-5144; Ernie Metz, County Forester 334-3296;
Reported by Paul Shogren

At the November meeting of the Board the following issues were discussed and are of interest
to county residents:

Gypsy Moth Spray Program for 2007

The state department of Agriculture (MDA) reported that approximately 20,000 acres of forested land in the county have more than 250 egg masses per acre and are eligible for spraying. Spraying is deemed necessary on such acres to prevent massive defoliation by emerging gypsy moth caterpillars in the spring. The estimated cost to forest landowners is estimated to be $20 - $30 per acre. Such cost is dependent upon county, state and Federal monies, which are not known at this time. The county commissioners are being kept aware of the situation.

State Forest Strategies

The board submitted its top three priorities to the state forestry board association:

  1. Restore forestry positions lost by past budget cuts.
  2. Consider that monies generated by the sale of state forest timber, be returned to the MD. DNR Forest Service rather than the general fund.
  3. Pursue the promotion of management plans for private forest landowners.

Natural Resource Conservation Conference (NRCC) information has been received and the NRCC will be held at Hickory Environmental Education Center will be from 22 – 28 July 2007. Any Garrett County high school student is eligible to apply for two full scholarships to attend NRCC. The NRCC is organized to present career information about the natural resource field, including forestry, wildlife, fisheries, recreation and watershed management. If interested call Chuck Hoffeditz.

Countywide Planning

Because the county development plan of 1995 is being updated, the Board decided to join forces with the Allegheny Highland Conservancy and the Garrett-Preston Rural Development Coalition to provide input into the plan to preserve agricultural and forest land. It was noted that a public meeting to learn about the progress of updating will be held on Nov. 30, 7pm at the Garrett College Auditorium. Contact: Ernie Metz, county forester, 301-334-3296 or Chuck Hoffeditz, board chairman 301-387-5144