BALTIMORE (May 11, 2000) - Officials from the Maryland Department of General Services (DGS) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have scheduled two town meetings to meet with owners whose property is adjacent to Deep Creek Lake. Officials will answer questions regarding the offer to sell approximately 600 acres to the property owners.

    Paul Durham, DNR's Deep Creek Lake Recreation Area Manager, and Lori Joy Eisner, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the DGS Office of Real Estate will hold the meetings at the Garrett Community College Auditorium in McHenry, Maryland, on May 25 and 26, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

    People who own property north of the Glendale Bridge are requested to attend on the first night if possible, and those owning property south of the bridge are requested to attend on the second night.

    DGS completed settlement on the first parcel of the Deep Creek Lake property in February. The $7.8 million settlement was for property that included the lake bottom up to 2,466 feet of elevation. Settlement on the remainder of the property, approximately 600 acres, occurred on April 28.

   Negotiations for the purchase of the lake began in 1998 after GPU, Inc. announced plans to sell the lake and surrounding land, along with its hydroelectric generating station and dam. Under the agreement, the lake (approximately 4,400 acres) will be added to the State Forest and Park System. The remaining property, will be offered to adjacent property owners at the State's cost and subject to a conservation easement.

   Deep Creek Lake was created in 1925 by the Youghiogheny Electric Company, which acquired the underlying property and constructed the dam and hydroelectric power station. It is Maryland's largest freshwater lake ecosystem, with more than 70 miles of shoreline. The motels, restaurants, and vacation homes in Deep Creek Lake account for over half of Garrett County's assessable tax base.

    The lake is now part of the State Forest and Park System. In June, the Department of Natural Resources will begin work with the Deep Creek Lake Policy and Review Board to guide future management of the lake.

CONTACT:

Dave Humphrey, Director of External Affairs
DGS Office of External Affairs
410-767-4652
E-MAIL: Dave.Humphrey@dgs.state.md.us

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