PRESS RELEASE

September 21, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Purchase of Development Rights Purchase

Elkton, MD - The Board of County Commissioners of Cecil County have approved the first easement purchases under the County's Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program.  Three agricultural operations totaling 185 acres will be protected in perpetuity with the establishments of these easements.  The purchase price of the three easements, $1,074,250 is $551,818 less than the appraised easement value of the properties.  This action is another tangible example of this Board of Commissioners' commitment to ensuring the viability of Cecil County's agricultural economy, and to the Board's provision of a myriad of choices to help the land owners continue their agricultural operations.

The county's local Purchase of Development Rights program, along with our Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation certification through 2007, will combine with our land preservation initiatives to provide an aggressive and comprehensive approach to ensuring our agricultural and rural heritage is maintained for future generations.

CONTACT:
Eric Sennstrom, Director
Department of Planning and Zoning
129 E. Main Street
Elkton, MD 21921
410.996.5220