Washington County Expands Preserved Lands with New 32-Acre Farm Easement

The Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning has announced the permanent preservation of a 32.63-acre farm, bringing the total amount of permanently preserved land within the county to over 43,000 acres. This recent conservation effort was secured through a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) easement on a property located on Trovinger Mill Road in Hagerstown. The farm, which is actively used for crop and livestock production, is situated along Antietam Creek and boasts significant natural and scenic attributes. The addition of this easement is expected to encourage surrounding landowners to pursue similar preservation initiatives for their properties.

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) has been instrumental in Washington County’s land preservation strategy, now accounting for more than 2,000 acres, or nearly 5% of the county’s total preserved land. This program is a collaborative effort, funded and overseen by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, with local management handled by the Land Preservation Office within the Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning. CREP is designed to protect environmentally sensitive lands, and applications for CREP easements are accepted on a continuous basis. Additionally, existing CREP contracts through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency can be integrated into these preservation efforts.

Washington County employs a comprehensive approach to land preservation, encompassing agricultural, scenic, historic, and environmentally sensitive areas. Beyond CREP, the county participates in a variety of other programs. These include state initiatives such as the Rural Legacy Program and Program Open Space – Stateside, administered by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program (MALPF) and the county’s own Installment Purchase Program (IPP) are also key components, alongside local forest conservation easements. Federal programs like the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) and Federal Scenic Easements are utilized, and the county also partners with organizations like MARBIDCO, the Maryland Environmental Trust (MET), the Antietam Battlefield Trust (ABT), and Mid-Maryland Land Trust (MMLT) to secure partner-supported easements.

While state-level programs have historically been the primary source of funding for these preservation initiatives, Washington County has demonstrated a growing commitment to local investment in recent years. This increased local funding aims to ensure the sustained protection of the county’s valuable agricultural and natural resources for the future. Residents interested in learning more about the various land preservation programs available in Washington County can contact Chris Boggs, Rural Preservation Administrator, at 240-313-2447 or via email at cboggs@washco-md.net.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning

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