MIDDLE RIVER, MD—On Monday, November 18, the Baltimore County Council approved securing 35 acres of land under the state’s Rural Legacy Program, permanently protecting undeveloped land at 736 Earls Beach Road in the Bird River Beach area.

This creates a continuous area of 389 acres protected from development, helping to ensure less damage to the Bird River, which has historically been impacted by severe sediment pollution.

“I would like to thank my colleagues on the Baltimore County Council for their strong support of our land preservation efforts,” said Councilman David Marks. “I would also like to thank community leaders in the Bird River area for their partnership as we look to control development and preserve this area’s quality of life.”

The purchase price for the 35 acres is $342,498.

Thanks to the new Eco Park zoning overlay that Councilman Marks created and applied to 260 acres at the Lafarge property, nearly 650 acres of lad has been preserved in this sensitive watershed.

Josh Sines, president of the Essex-Middle River Civic Council, has been a strong partner and advocate for land preservation. “Few things are more important than making sure we have cleaner waterways and protect the unique character of Baltimore County’s Eastside. We thank Baltimore County for supporting the conservation of this land.”

Photo via Councilman David Marks