Comment submitted by Bicky Redman, Adams County Environmental Services

Thank you for requesting comments regarding the long-term health and protection of the Bay. I am involved in water quality and quantity issues in Adams County, in addition to coordinating a program for preservation of agricultural and forested lands. A few years back I worked with our local non-profit land trust on a very successful source water protection project involving the preservation of a number of tracts of land bordering a creek that serves as a drinking water supply for several municipalities. For these efforts, we received am award from EPA Region III. I bring this to your attention because one of the most successful ways to protect the Bay is to preserve and manage its land base, especially its forested areas. And, that is why I would like to garner your support for the protection of forested areas in the Bay's watershed by targeting funding efforts through the federal Forest Legacy Program. Make funding available (such as block grants) to qualified organizations to purchase permanent forestland easements for a set period of time, such as five years or longer to accomplish this task. Currently, the Forest Legacy Program is rather competitive so forestlands that could be protected now in Adams County await funding for many years. We hope they will be there in the future if funding becomes available. Again, thank you.