Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Encyclopedia
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is a government agency
in the state of Maryland
charged with maintaining natural resources
such as the 66 state park
s, public land
s, state forest
s, state waterways, wildlife and recreation
areas.
. DNR assumed the responsibilities formerly held by the Maryland Board of Natural Resources (established in 1941), and consolidated the agency's authority under a single department secretary. The first DNR secretary was former Maryland Governor J. Millard Tawes
, who served in that capacity until 1971. Other notable DNR secretaries have included James Coulter (1971–1983) and Torrey C. Brown (1983–1995). The department is headquartered in the Tawes State Office building at 580 Taylor Avenue in Annapolis
.
He directly heads the Matrix Teams and the Office for a Sustainable Future. He also leads the Deputy Secretary.
Deputy Secretary Joseph P. Gill heads several subcommittees dedicated to the actual implementation of DNR programs. These committees include Mission Support, Land Resources and Aquatic Resources.
Human Resources Services, Leadership/Employee Development, Office of Fair Practices, Licensing and Registration Services, Finance and Administration Service, Audit and Management Review, and Information Technology.
Its principal functions are:
DNR does not issue or enforce environmental permits under the federal Clean Air Act
, Clean Water Act
, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
and related laws. Those functions are the responsibility of the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).
The DNR is committed to maintaining healthy terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This is partially achieved through the efficient use of energy and resources. The DNR emphasizes citizenship, the value of communities and neighborhoods and professional commitment as ways to maintain the environment through shared values and service. The DNR encourages environmental awareness by encouraging outdoor recreation and providing opportunities to take action to improve natural ecosystems.
Maryland Park Services, Maryland Forest Services, Wildlife and Heritage Services, Land Acquisition and Planning, Engineering and Planning, Maryland Environment Trust
Maryland has 66 state parks.
The mission of the Maryland Park Service is to manage the natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources to provide the best use for the benefit of people.
The Maryland Park Service provides many services to the public, including: camping, biking, boating/fishing, hiking, outdoor programs, biking, and exploring natural resources. Parks are usually available in the late spring and summer. For more information, visit.
There are 2,000 campsites in the state parks and a variety of cabins. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/campinginfo.asp
Parks offer opportunities for outdoor activities such as swimming, horseback riding, boating, hiking on the trails, outdoor education, hunting, fishing, and enjoying the beautiful scenery.
The DNR provides accessibility for visitors throughout the park. The DNR staff is trained to help accommodate visitors in need of assistance.
DNR closely regulates wildlife, tracking diseases and populations. During the previous hunting season there was a lone reported case of a hunter legally taking a deer only to find out later that the deer tagged was infected with Chronic Wasting Disease, CWD. CWD is a neurological disease that effect deer elk and moose, where the infected have symptoms such as loss of body condition, behavioral abnormalities, and even death (Learn). People are warned to avoid contact with the brain, spinal cord, and lymph nodes due to the fact these are the areas that become infected. To help control this problem each year the MD-DNR is taking samples from the deer harvested to test for any signs of CWD. The main focus is in the western Maryland counties due to the reports of CWD in West Virginia and Virginia (Communications, 2011).
The DNR is also responsible for regulating the 3 million acres (12,140.6 km²) of wooded land in Maryland. There are over 160 species of trees that help create these millions of acres of forest. This abundant amount of acres makes the forest industry one of the biggest businesses in the state, with more than 18,000 people reliant on wood products. In the two western most counties, Garrett and Allegany, forestry is the largest employer. Over the years there have been many contributing factors that have diminished some of the wooded areas around the state. From the early 80’s almost half a million acres (4,000 km²) have had been infested with gypsy moths that have just destroyed forests. There are also the Southern Pine Bark Beetles that have caused excessive damage to the pine trees on the Eastern Shore. Another reason for damage to the forestry would be due to the cover fires that occur every year. The spring and the fall are the prime times for fires because of the climate changes. There are more than 6,000 fires destroying somewhere from 8,000-10,000 acres each year (Maryland).
Chesapeake and Coastal Watershed Services, Boating Services, Fisheries Services, Resources Assessment Services, and Critical Area Commission.
Maryland is a state with many water resources, from the Chesapeake to the Potomac River. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is responsible for taking care of these water sources that all unite at the largest estuary in the world, the Chesapeake Bay. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has been monitoring the water sources and the Chesapeake Bay and other assorted small streams since 1996. The goal is to manage the restoration and protection of these waterways and that ensures Maryland residents get clean water and can participate in activities such canoeing, fishing, and growing crops. MDNR has a huge research and development team committed to providing the best and cleanest possible water sources. Many researched topics include geomorphic assessments, atmospheric and acid deposition, and long term water quality.
Streams stretch all over Maryland and contain many exotic species of fish and other water life. Maryland’s streams’ biodiversity does not end with just fish and birds but extends to salamanders, mussels, 10 types of turtles and over 100 species of fish. Plants and vegetation surrounding the aquatic habitats provide nutrients, shelter for animals, temperature regulation and can provide erosion control. The MDNR has a few groups setup to survey all the streams and wildlife. One of these groups is MANTA or monitoring and non-tidal assessment and another is the EPA National Rivers and Streams Assessment. Both actively participate in keeping aquatic areas clean and safe. Both of these organizations have websites and statistics on the previous reports of the health of Maryland streams and waters. The MDNR recognizes both commercial and non commercial fishing and keeps reports of the breeds and sizes of fish caught on their website.
The DNR offers many boating services to people of all ages and types of boaters including paddle, sailing, and power boats. Boating programs are financed completely through the DNR Waterway Improvement Fund and have now developed over 300 public boating areas throughout Maryland. The revenue that is acquired from this fund comes from a 5% vessel tax that is paid when anyone titles a vessel in the State of Maryland.
Government agency
A government or state agency is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an intelligence agency. There is a notable variety of agency types...
in the state of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
charged with maintaining natural resources
Natural Resources
Natural Resources is a soul album released by Motown girl group Martha Reeves and the Vandellas in 1970 on the Gordy label. The album is significant for the Vietnam War ballad "I Should Be Proud" and the slow jam, "Love Guess Who"...
such as the 66 state park
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
s, public land
Public land
In all modern states, some land is held by central or local governments. This is called public land. The system of tenure of public land, and the terminology used, varies between countries...
s, state forest
State forest
A state forest is a forest that is administered or protected by some agency of a sovereign state.The precise application of the term varies by jurisdiction...
s, state waterways, wildlife and recreation
Recreation
Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be "fun"...
areas.
Organizational history
DNR was established in 1969 as part of a reorganization of the Maryland executive branch initiated by Governor Marvin MandelMarvin Mandel
Marvin Mandel , a member of the United States Democratic Party, was the 56th Governor of Maryland in the United States from January 7, 1969, to January 17, 1979. He was Maryland's first, and, to date, only Jewish governor.- Early life :...
. DNR assumed the responsibilities formerly held by the Maryland Board of Natural Resources (established in 1941), and consolidated the agency's authority under a single department secretary. The first DNR secretary was former Maryland Governor J. Millard Tawes
J. Millard Tawes
John Millard Tawes , a member of the United States Democratic Party, was the 54th Governor of Maryland in the United States from 1959 to 1967. He remains the only Marylander to be elected to the three positions of State Treasurer, Comptroller, and Governor.-Early life and family:Tawes was born to...
, who served in that capacity until 1971. Other notable DNR secretaries have included James Coulter (1971–1983) and Torrey C. Brown (1983–1995). The department is headquartered in the Tawes State Office building at 580 Taylor Avenue in Annapolis
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
.
Political Organization
The Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources is, for all intents and purposes, the head of the DNR. John R. Griffin is the current Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources.He directly heads the Matrix Teams and the Office for a Sustainable Future. He also leads the Deputy Secretary.
Deputy Secretary Joseph P. Gill heads several subcommittees dedicated to the actual implementation of DNR programs. These committees include Mission Support, Land Resources and Aquatic Resources.
Mission Support
William H. Parran, the head of the Mission Support Committee, is in charge of the following terminal committees:Human Resources Services, Leadership/Employee Development, Office of Fair Practices, Licensing and Registration Services, Finance and Administration Service, Audit and Management Review, and Information Technology.
Its principal functions are:
- Managing over 46100 acres (186.6 km²) of public lands
- Protecting over 17000 miles (27,358.8 km) of waterways
- Lead agency for restoration of the Chesapeake BayChesapeake BayThe Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
and coastal bays.
DNR does not issue or enforce environmental permits under the federal Clean Air Act
Clean Air Act
A Clean Air Act is one of a number of pieces of legislation relating to the reduction of airborne contaminants, smog and air pollution in general. The use by governments to enforce clean air standards has contributed to an improvement in human health and longer life spans...
, Clean Water Act
Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. Commonly abbreviated as the CWA, the act established the goals of eliminating releases of high amounts of toxic substances into water, eliminating additional water pollution by 1985, and ensuring that...
, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act , enacted in 1976, is the principal Federal law in the United States governing the disposal of solid waste and hazardous waste.-History and Goals:...
and related laws. Those functions are the responsibility of the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).
DNR-Wide Objectives
The DNR is committed to maintaining healthy terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This is partially achieved through the efficient use of energy and resources. The DNR emphasizes citizenship, the value of communities and neighborhoods and professional commitment as ways to maintain the environment through shared values and service. The DNR encourages environmental awareness by encouraging outdoor recreation and providing opportunities to take action to improve natural ecosystems.
Department of Land Resources
Kristin Evans is the head of the Land Resources Committee. She is in charge of the following terminal subcommittees:Maryland Park Services, Maryland Forest Services, Wildlife and Heritage Services, Land Acquisition and Planning, Engineering and Planning, Maryland Environment Trust
Maryland Park Services
Maryland has 66 state parks.
The mission of the Maryland Park Service is to manage the natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources to provide the best use for the benefit of people.
The Maryland Park Service provides many services to the public, including: camping, biking, boating/fishing, hiking, outdoor programs, biking, and exploring natural resources. Parks are usually available in the late spring and summer. For more information, visit.
There are 2,000 campsites in the state parks and a variety of cabins. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/campinginfo.asp
Parks offer opportunities for outdoor activities such as swimming, horseback riding, boating, hiking on the trails, outdoor education, hunting, fishing, and enjoying the beautiful scenery.
The DNR provides accessibility for visitors throughout the park. The DNR staff is trained to help accommodate visitors in need of assistance.
Wildlife and Trees
DNR closely regulates wildlife, tracking diseases and populations. During the previous hunting season there was a lone reported case of a hunter legally taking a deer only to find out later that the deer tagged was infected with Chronic Wasting Disease, CWD. CWD is a neurological disease that effect deer elk and moose, where the infected have symptoms such as loss of body condition, behavioral abnormalities, and even death (Learn). People are warned to avoid contact with the brain, spinal cord, and lymph nodes due to the fact these are the areas that become infected. To help control this problem each year the MD-DNR is taking samples from the deer harvested to test for any signs of CWD. The main focus is in the western Maryland counties due to the reports of CWD in West Virginia and Virginia (Communications, 2011).
The DNR is also responsible for regulating the 3 million acres (12,140.6 km²) of wooded land in Maryland. There are over 160 species of trees that help create these millions of acres of forest. This abundant amount of acres makes the forest industry one of the biggest businesses in the state, with more than 18,000 people reliant on wood products. In the two western most counties, Garrett and Allegany, forestry is the largest employer. Over the years there have been many contributing factors that have diminished some of the wooded areas around the state. From the early 80’s almost half a million acres (4,000 km²) have had been infested with gypsy moths that have just destroyed forests. There are also the Southern Pine Bark Beetles that have caused excessive damage to the pine trees on the Eastern Shore. Another reason for damage to the forestry would be due to the cover fires that occur every year. The spring and the fall are the prime times for fires because of the climate changes. There are more than 6,000 fires destroying somewhere from 8,000-10,000 acres each year (Maryland).
Department of Aquatic Resources
The Director of Aquatic Resources, Frank W. Dawson, heads the following subcommittees:Chesapeake and Coastal Watershed Services, Boating Services, Fisheries Services, Resources Assessment Services, and Critical Area Commission.
Maryland Waters
Maryland is a state with many water resources, from the Chesapeake to the Potomac River. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is responsible for taking care of these water sources that all unite at the largest estuary in the world, the Chesapeake Bay. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has been monitoring the water sources and the Chesapeake Bay and other assorted small streams since 1996. The goal is to manage the restoration and protection of these waterways and that ensures Maryland residents get clean water and can participate in activities such canoeing, fishing, and growing crops. MDNR has a huge research and development team committed to providing the best and cleanest possible water sources. Many researched topics include geomorphic assessments, atmospheric and acid deposition, and long term water quality.
Streams, Stream Life and Fishing
Streams stretch all over Maryland and contain many exotic species of fish and other water life. Maryland’s streams’ biodiversity does not end with just fish and birds but extends to salamanders, mussels, 10 types of turtles and over 100 species of fish. Plants and vegetation surrounding the aquatic habitats provide nutrients, shelter for animals, temperature regulation and can provide erosion control. The MDNR has a few groups setup to survey all the streams and wildlife. One of these groups is MANTA or monitoring and non-tidal assessment and another is the EPA National Rivers and Streams Assessment. Both actively participate in keeping aquatic areas clean and safe. Both of these organizations have websites and statistics on the previous reports of the health of Maryland streams and waters. The MDNR recognizes both commercial and non commercial fishing and keeps reports of the breeds and sizes of fish caught on their website.
Boating
The DNR offers many boating services to people of all ages and types of boaters including paddle, sailing, and power boats. Boating programs are financed completely through the DNR Waterway Improvement Fund and have now developed over 300 public boating areas throughout Maryland. The revenue that is acquired from this fund comes from a 5% vessel tax that is paid when anyone titles a vessel in the State of Maryland.