Don’t lease public lands to private companies

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008

Don’t lease public lands to private companies

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Public lands in Maryland should not be leased to private companies. The O’Malley administration, however, is considering a proposal by a company named U.S. Wind Force to install 100 or more 40-story tall industrial wind turbines in the Potomac and Savage River State Forests in Western Maryland. Four hundred acres of mountaintop land would be leased to this private company.

For each turbine, four to five acres of mountaintop forest would have to be clear-cut. In addition, service roads and other infrastructure would have to be constructed, which would further damage the environment. The magnificent wildlife, birds and fish that live in this beautiful part of the state would suffer from the environmental damage.

Many Montgomery County residents have enjoyed the beauty of Garrett County and the Deep Creek Lake area. Many have fond memories of the Scout camps, the state parks, skiing and happy summers spent in this refuge of nature. I encourage county residents to join with our neighbors in Garrett County by writing to the Department of Natural Resources, Gov. Martin O’Malley, and our state legislators. The DNR will receive comments online at: http:⁄⁄www.dnr.state.md.us⁄sustainability⁄wpm⁄. The deadline for comments is Feb. 29. State parks belong to the citizens, not private companies. Commercialization of public land is unacceptable.

Mary J. Hoferek, Gaithersburg