Tag: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Cecil County neighbors demand action after nearly 11,000 fish killed in Basin Run – CBS Baltimore

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Neighbors in Cecil County say they are fed up with a local farm owner they blame for contaminating nearby waterways. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) says manure runoff from Kilby Farm on Firetower Road in Colora caused a massive fish kill in Basin Run, killing nearly 11,000 fish across 25 species. The state says the farm’s owners were ordered by a court to clean up the property but have failed to comply. Now, MDE is asking a judge to hold the farm’s owner and operator, Hartland Holdings LLC, in contempt. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) says manure runoff from Kilby Farm on Firetower Road in Colora caused a massive fish kill in Basin Run, killing nearly 11,000 fish across 25 species.

Prior problems with Kilby Farm

The state says the owners took over the property in 2017 and dramatically increased the number of cattle by 2021. As the cattle population grew, so did the amount of waste, which MDE says was improperly managed. The state says excess manure polluted nearby Basin Run. During multiple on-site investigations and water quality tests, officials documented a fish kill that affected nearly 11,000 fish across 25 species. The incident followed a smaller fish kill in 2025. “These violations are unacceptable. We are taking this issue very seriously and have already obtained a preliminary injunction from the court barring this facility from discharging pollution into the waterway.

We are now asking the judge to hold the operator in contempt of that ruling,” MDE said in a statement. This is not the first time the state has taken the farm’s owners to court over the issue. MDE says it has issued several notices and previously sought court intervention to address the pollution. “Unfortunately, he’s not following the rules, and the stream, and importantly, the community is paying the price,” Adam Ortiz, deputy secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment, told WJZ. The state says the farm’s owner has failed to comply with a court order to clean up the property and has not implemented a solution to control manure and waste runoff.

MDE is now asking the judge to hold the farm’s operator in contempt. “The count is 0-2. You got to get it right this time. Otherwise, more punitive actions can take place,” Ortiz said. MDE also expressed concern that continued runoff could affect other nearby rivers and streams, as well as larger waterways, including the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay. The farm’s owners declined to comment when approached by WJZ. The station also contacted attorneys representing the owner and operator and is awaiting a response. The case is scheduled for a settlement conference in Cecil County Circuit Court in April 2027.

Neighbors frustrated with farm owners

Neighbors say they have seen dead fish washing ashore and have endured what they describe as a putrid manure stench. “Everybody knows why it’s happening. Everybody knows, but greed makes it keep on going,” John Woodrow, who has lived along Basin Run for 70 years, told WJZ. “[It’s] heartbreaking. I spent all my childhood, most of my adult life enjoying the stream. Now my grandson is being told he can’t get in there,” Woodrow said. WJZ spoke with several neighbors who said they were frustrated by the situation and felt disrespected by the farm’s owners. “It hurt to see that happen.

You shouldn’t have to live near Basin Run or be drinking the well water to care about this,” nearby resident Ashley Bowley told WJZ. Woodrow said neighbors began noticing changes in the water about five years ago. “Next thing you know, you start seeing increased weeds on the side of the stream, less fish, more algae growing on the rocks, water less clear,” he said. Despite their frustration, neighbors say they believe the farm can continue operating without harming the surrounding community. “He can still have his business, keep the stream clean for generations to come. Let’s work together on this.

Quit fighting each other in this courthouse, and work together on this and make it work,” Woodrow said. Bowley said the farm has had ample opportunity to address the state’s concerns. “I think they’ve been given ample opportunity to comply with the request from the department,” she said. “They either need to reduce their capacity greatly, or they do need to be shut down.

Source: Cecil County neighbors demand action after nearly 11,000 fish killed in Basin Run – CBS Baltimore

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called.
Ephesians 4:4

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Maryland State Police intern helps rescue injured bald eagle from roadway

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A Maryland State Police intern found himself on an incredible, unexpected assignment this week.  The department posted two photos on social media Friday, showing Centreville Barrack intern Jackson Roach holding a bald eagle.  State police said Roach joined Trooper A. Setter and an off-duty law enforcement officer in removing the injured bird from the area of westbound Route 50 and Route 301 on Wednesday.  They brought the bald eagle back to their barrack and contacted Owl Moon Raptor Center, which came to get the bird.  A Maryland State Police intern found himself on an incredible, unexpected assignment this week as he helped rescue an injured bald eagle. Maryland State Police The social media photos show Roach smiling as he swaddles the eagle in what appears to be a towel. 

“Maryland State Police interns get opportunities to learn, serve, and experience the work of law enforcement firsthand. Maybe even in an unexpected way,” State police offer unpaid internships with five different pathways, including a Standard Internship over the fall, spring or summer for current students or a Service Year Option for a 10-month, full-time commitment. “The Maryland State Police (MDSP) Internship Program is a non-paid mentorship initiative designed to introduce students to the administrative and operational functions of our agency. It aims to provide direction for students considering career paths in both civilian and sworn fields,” the website reads.

“Many program participants have gone on to pursue careers as a Cadet, Trooper, or in a civilian role with the Maryland State Police.” Owl Moon is a wildlife rehabilitation center in Montgomery County that rescues birds of prey and releases them back into the wild. “Our mission is to rescue and rehabilitate injured, sick, and orphaned birds of prey and return them to the wild in sound, athletic condition; and to educate the public about raptors in the process,” the organization’s website reads. Last month, they shared photos of a red-tailed hawk and five juvenile red-shouldered hawks they helped rehabilitate.

Source: Maryland State Police intern helps rescue injured bald eagle from roadway – CBS Baltimore

And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
1 John 2:28

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Maryland boy recovering from surgeries after rabid beaver attack at state park

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A 13-year-old Maryland boy is reported to be recovering from multiple surgeries and nerve damage after being attacked by a rabid beaver. The teen, Dominick Cebula, was swimming at a popular spot in Cunningham Falls state park in Thurmont, Maryland, on 26 July when a beaver attacked his chest underwater, a relatively rare kind of encounter that more recently has been recurring, according to reporting from local news outlets. Speaking to the news outlet WUSA, Dominick’s father, Jeff Cebula, said: “He grabbed its head and a leg and he tried to get it off of him … At that point, he kind of felt that it was locked onto him.

And then it started shaking its head, kind of like a dog would do.” Jeff Cebula said his son pulled the beaver off his chest but as he backed away, the animal attacked again, biting him on the right hand, WUSA reported. Dominick fought off the beaver before being airlifted to Johns Hopkins hospital in Baltimore, where he underwent three surgeries on his chest and hands to repair nerve damage. He was also given a rabies post-exposure shot, with his father saying: “It’s not just one shot … It’s multiple shots around each bite site.” WUSA reported that the beaver was later confirmed to have rabies after being caught and euthanized. Multiple other beaver attacks have occurred in Maryland. On 5 August, a rabid beaver allegedly attacked the leg of a 19-year-old fisher at Cunningham Falls state park before being caught and euthanized. And a few days later, a 10-year-old girl endured a beaver attack while canoeing at Maryland’s Seneca Creek state park, CBS News reported.

On 6 August, the Maryland department of natural resources (DNR) announced that it was investigating a potential rabies outbreak in Cunningham Falls state park. Actions in response to that possible outbreak included “dismantling a nearby beaver lodge and establishing daily surveillance at the lake for other beavers using DNR staff and a wildlife damage control cooperator”. The Maryland DNR said its wildlife and heritage service would “institute night-time monitoring at the lake along with daytime surveillance to remove additional beavers, if any are present”. Although beavers are typically non-aggressive and avoid conflict with humans, people should still maintain a minimum safe viewing distance of 25 yards, the Maryland DNR advised.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that the agency from July through August had received 17% more rabies-related inquiries than during the same period in 2025 – including reports of mass exposure events that involve more than one person. Rabies is a zoonotic viral disease with a near 100% fatality rate once symptoms develop. However, it is preventable when post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is administered appropriately. PEP consists of a series of shots given promptly after potential exposure to the rabies virus Lyssavirus rabies and before symptoms begin. Common symptoms of rabies include anxiety, insomnia, hydrophobia, hypersalivation, fever and headaches.

Source: Maryland boy recovering from surgeries after rabid beaver attack at state park | Maryland | The Guardian

And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.
Luke 9:16-17

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Maryland invests $11 million to expand bike, pedestrian and trail infrastructure

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Wooden footbridge crossing a stream on a forest trail

Maryland is investing more than $11 million in grants to expand bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure across the state. The Maryland Department of Transportation says the funding will support nearly 25 projects aimed at improving safety and accessibility. The projects include Safe Routes to School improvements, bikeway connections and trail upgrades. Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County and Frederick County are among the areas that will see improvements.

MDOT says the goal is to improve safety, boost economic development and create a more connected and accessible transportation system across Maryland. “With these newly funded bicycle, pedestrian and trail projects, Marylanders will have more options to commute, exercise and get to school safely and efficiently,” Maryland Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson said. “Creating new paths and linking others together are key components of Maryland’s transportation future, and this investment shows our dedication to expanding our statewide trail network, enhancing sustainability and providing those who walk, bike and roll with greater choices.”

The Fiscal Year 2027 grants include $9.3 million in federal funding for 12 projects through the Transportation Alternatives Program and Recreational Trails Program, along with $2 million in state funding for 12 projects through MDOT’s Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program.

Recreational Trails Program

The state is providing $2.8 million through the Recreational Trails Program for six projects, including:

  • Trail bridge replacements in state forests in Allegany and Garrett counties.
  • Boardwalk and trail rehabilitation in Loch Lynn Heights in Garrett County, as well as Kent and Montgomery counties.
  • New single-track trails at Rocky Gap State Park in Allegany County.

Transportation Alternatives Program

The state is providing $6.5 million through the Transportation Alternatives Program for six projects, including:

  • Safe Routes to School infrastructure improvements in Williamsport and Smithsburg in Washington County.
  • Repair and rehabilitation of a 20-mile stretch of the C&O Canal towpath in Montgomery and Washington counties.
  • New active transportation facilities in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County and Montgomery County.

Bikeways grants

This year’s $2 million in Bikeways grants includes:

  • Seven design projects in Brunswick, Catonsville, Chestertown, Laurel, North East, Port Deposit and Snow Hill. The projects will improve access to parks, schools, trails, senior living communities, historic main streets and commercial districts.
  • Three minor retrofit projects in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County and Montgomery County. The projects will add wayfinding from bike paths to major destinations, improve safety through low-cost enhancements and expand shared micromobility.
  • Two construction projects in Edmonston and La Plata. The projects will fill missing trail connections and extend a new shared-use path.

Source: Maryland invests $11 million to expand bike, pedestrian and trail infrastructure – CBS Baltimore

“Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the LORD; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:24

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Second rabid beaver confirmed at Cunningham Falls State Park in 2 weeks after fisherman bitten

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Aggressive beaver standing on a log by a riverbank, warning to stay back

A beaver that bit a 19-year-old fisherman at a Maryland state park Wednesday morning tested positive for rabies, the Maryland Department of Health confirmed. The man was bitten on the leg while visiting the William Houck Area of Cunningham Falls State Park at Hunting Creek Lake near Thurmont, Maryland. It was the second beaver to test positive for rabies at Cunningham Falls State Park in the past two weeks. A 13-year-old was bitten by another rabid beaver at the park on July 26. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) responded around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday after a beaver reportedly attacked a man while he was fishing at the lake. He was taken to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown for treatment. The beaver was captured and euthanized and was then sent to the health department for rabies testing. The Houck Day Use Area at Cunningham Falls State Park, the adjacent boat ramp, and Big Hunting Creek upstream of the lake were closed while wildlife officials investigate a possible rabies outbreak among the local beaver population.

The closures prohibit swimming, fishing, boating, and other water access until officials determine the area is safe for visitors. Other areas of the park, including the campground, remain open. Officials say this could take several days. On Jul 26,  a 13-year-old boy was bitten by a rabid beaver at Cunningham Falls State Park’s William Houck area near the North Beach of the lake.  The DNR said that officers searched for additional signs of rabid beavers in the area following the first beaver attack. A beaver lodge was dismantled, and daily surveillance was established at the lake for other beavers. People who have been bitten or scratched by a beaver near Cunningham Falls State Park are encouraged to call their health care provider or the Frederick County Health Department’s Community Health Services Office at 301-600-3342.  “Rabies can infect mammals through a bite or a scratch. Once an animal or person starts showing symptoms, it is almost always fatal unless treatment is given,” said Barry Glotfelty, Director for FCHD’s Environmental Health Services. 

Source: Second rabid beaver confirmed at Cunningham Falls State Park in 2 weeks after fisherman bitten – CBS Baltimore

Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.
Proverbs 16:3

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