HAGERSTOWN, MD (November 26, 2024) – The Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning is proud to announce that on November 21, 2024, Washington County celebrated a significant achievement in land preservation by permanently protecting a 51.283-acre farm on Manor Church Road in Boonsboro. This latest easement adds to the more than 41,000 acres of preserved land in Washington County, bolstering the County’s commitment to conservation and agricultural heritage.
The easement was procured through the Rural Legacy Program (RLP), safeguarding a picturesque property at the convergence of Antietam Creek and an unnamed stream. This farm showcases both historic and natural resource features and contributes to a growing block of thousands of acres of preserved land in the area. The easement will also support nearby property owners in pursuing similar conservation goals.
RLP is a cornerstone of Washington County’s land preservation initiatives, accounting for over 9,100 acres, or 22%, of the County’s permanent easements. The program is funded and administered by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and locally overseen by the Land Preservation Office of the Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning. Farm owners can apply annually to preserve agriculturally, historically, and environmentally significant lands, with applications due by January 31. Offers are typically extended in the fall, as demonstrated with this fiscal year 2024 cycle easement.
In addition to RLP, Washington County’s robust land preservation strategy includes programs such as the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program (MALPF), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), Project Open Space Stateside programs, and the County’s Installment Purchase Program (IPP). Other partnerships involve organizations like Maryland Environmental Trust (MET), Antietam Battlefield Trust (ABT), and Mid-Maryland Land Trust (MMLT). While state funding forms the foundation of these efforts, Washington County has taken significant financial steps in recent years to enhance its preservation programs.
For more information about land preservation programs in Washington County, contact Chris Boggs, Rural Preservation Administrator, at 240-313-2447 or via email at [email protected].
