Quiet: Listening Zone Ahead
Hard to believe, but Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will be in Annapolis Friday, along with other federal officials and Governor O'Malley, to hear what you think about the great outdoors and how best to use it.
At least that's the promised premise of a national tour ordered by President Obama to "listen and learn from people all over the country." Maryland is the second of more than a dozen planned stops.
These officials want to know what you think about conservation of open space, securing access to public lands and waterways, getting kids outdoors, stewardship opportunities and environmental education.
(Someone should tell Salazar that the best use of the outdoors is not putting it in an oiled pan and baking until done.)
Why, they've even set aside time for a discussion of issues of general importance. Salazar will be moderating a session, so maybe you'll get a chance to ask him how things are going in the Gulf. But I doubt it.
Last year, the government produced a report, "Great Outdoors America," the first look at priorities and challenges since President Reagan ordered a review in 1987.
The report noted that the Land and Water Conservation Fund, established 45 years ago, has never been adequately funded by Congress (big sursprise, eh?). Originally money came from sale of federal land, recreation fees collected at federal sites and motorboat fuel taxes. When that money proved inadequate, Congress kicked in 12.5 percent of revenue from oil and natural gas lease sales under the--how delicious--Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act.
But that money is expected to amount to just $22 million by the time the fund expires in 2015. Chump change for BP's Tony Hayward.
It should be noted that Maryland is doing a lot of the right stuff: Putting money in its Program Open Space, which uses a tiny portion of the real estate transfer tax to buy land for conservation and recreation and building GreenPrint Maryland http://greenprintmaryland.gov, a Web-based map that shows the environmental importance of every clump of dirt in the state.
More than 275 regular folks have indicated they will attend. There's still time to add your voice.
Our public servants will be listening from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase St.
It's free, but organizers would like you to register by sending your name, telephone number and primary area of interest to cindy_chance@partner.nps.gov or at http://http://www.baygateways.net/AmericasGreatOutdoors/index.html .
