Maryland Native Plant Society

At Risk: Douglas Point, Charles County

Situation

Maryland Rock Industries wants to mine a 1300 acre parcel on Douglas Point in Charles County. It is asking the zoning board to consider a special exception to the area zoning (agricultural conservation) to allow them to proceed. There are continuing hearings to allow citizens to comment on the request. The area is pristine with eagle nests, second growth timber, rare and endangered plants and animals, abundant underwater grasses in the Potomac, and much more. If this project can be stopped at the special exception stage, there is good potential that the state will purchase the property and preserve it.

Read the MNPS testimony (via MAGIC) to learn more about the issue.

Current Status

Governor Glendening announced on Sept 25, 2001, that Maryland has successfully negotiated the purchase of 1,271 acres of land along the Potomac River in Charles County from PEPCO.

We should all be proud of this accomplishment. This parcel of land is the property that Maryland Rock Industries had planning to purchase, strip the forests off of, and mine for gravel. After a public hearing of many residents and environmental groups, the county commissioners rejected the permit request by the rock and gravel company to mine this property.

This acquisition lies in the center of a 5,500 acre wildlife preserve that has been proposed for the Charles County area. Such a preserve would protect the Potomac and provide connections between other wildlife habitats like Doncaster State Forest and Purse State Park. It is a great addition to the Green Infrastructure plan for Maryland. Negotiations for additional land are continuing.

Read Governor Glendening Announces Agreement To Protect 1,271 Acres At Douglas Point from the Governor's Press Office.