Scotts Protect 125 Acres of along Marshyhope
Dorchester Farm Protected Using State, Federal Funds
Queenstown, Maryland – January 11, 2008 – The Scott Family of Hurlock has ensured over 125 acres on the banks of the Marshyhope Creek are protected from development forever with the sale of a conservation easement on their farm. Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, a private, nonprofit land conservation organization dedicated to the preservation of farmland and habitat on the Eastern Shore working with the federal and state governments used funds from a United States Department of Agriculture Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program grant, matching funds from the state’s Rural Legacy Program and a bargain sale from the owners to complete the project which will ensure this property maintains the rural character of an area under continuous development pressure.
In addition to preserving productive farmland in northeastern Dorchester County, protection the farm will also protect water quality on the Marshyhope and will extinguish eight residential development rights in an area that has recently been under increasing development pressure, particularly on waterfront properties.
The decision to protect the farmland was a no-brainer for the Scotts, who wanted to keep the pristine Marshyhope area as farmland.
“It was such a beautiful piece of land along the Marshyhope – We just wanted to see it protected,” said Doug Scott, who co-owns the property with wife Patti. “We wanted to make sure we protected it before it was ever sold.”
The completion of this easement also adds an additional swath of protected land to the Marshyhope Conservation Priority Area.
“Dorchester County residents can be certain that the beautiful farmscape of their county will be maintained with the protection of the Scott Farm,” says Meredith Lathbury, ESLC’s Director of Land Conservation. “This project is a great example of how many different options are out there to help Eastern Shore residents protect their land for future generations.”
For more details about ESLC’s land protection and land use planning activities, to become a member or learn how you can protect your land, please visit eslc.org.