New Conservation Easement Secures 186 Acres in Newport Bay Watershed

SNOW HILL, MD - A significant step for environmental preservation in Worcester County has been finalized with the protection of Queponco Farms. This 186-acre property, located off Basket Switch Road, is now under an agricultural easement purchased through the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF). This marks the first completed project in the Newport Bay watershed since the formation of the Partnership for Newport Bay.

The property features a mix of cropland and woodland, with over 80% consisting of prime agricultural soils. A tributary of Marshall Creek runs through the land, where the existing woodland provides a critical riparian buffer.

This natural barrier offers essential habitat and helps improve water quality within the Newport Bay watershed. The easement ensures the land will remain free from subdivision and non-agricultural development in perpetuity.

This addition expands a contiguous block of permanently protected land in the area to over 747 acres.

Katherine Munson, a planner for the Worcester County Government, highlighted the strategic importance of the acquisition. "Protecting this property, owned by Queponco Farms, is important because it is a large property, with extensive road frontage, contains over 80% prime agricultural soils, and is adjacent to a block of already protected forest," Munson said. "Land protection has lagged in the Newport Bay watershed compared to other areas of the county, so we are thrilled to work with this landowner and MALPF to protect this property."

This project is part of a broader effort led by the Partnership for Newport Bay. This coalition includes Worcester County, the Maryland Coastal Bays Program, the Lower Shore Land Trust, the Assateague Coastal Trust, and the Town of Berlin.

The partnership will manage a $20 million grant provided through the Whole Watershed Act. Over the next five years, these funds will support projects aimed at improving water quality and restoring natural habitats in the Newport Bay watershed, where environmental conditions have declined recently.

Mike Sirman, owner of Queponco Farms, expressed his commitment to conservation. "By placing an easement on our farm, we've not only protected our land but also contributed to the larger ecosystem of our watershed," Sirman said. "As landowners in this watershed, we have a unique opportunity to influence the future of our region. I encourage fellow farmers and landowners to consider the benefits of MALPF and similar programs. These initiatives offer financial incentives and technical support, making it easier to protect our agricultural heritage. By working together, we can foster a community that prioritizes sustainable practices and conservation."

With the addition of Queponco Farms, MALPF easements now protect over 11,000 acres of farmland and forest across Worcester County. The foundation's goal is to preserve agricultural land, limit urban sprawl, conserve open spaces and wildlife habitats, and improve water quality throughout Maryland.

Landowners who participate retain ownership and farming rights but agree to restrict future development.

Funding for these efforts comes from the Whole Watershed Fund, which pools resources from multiple state sources. These include the Maryland Cost Share Program (MACS), MALPF, the Bay Restoration Fund, the Clean Water Commerce Act, the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, and the Waterway Improvement Fund.

The act provides implementation grants covering up to 50% of program costs, with watershed programs securing additional funding from other sectors.

MALPF is currently accepting applications from landowners with eligible properties. To qualify, properties must have subdivision potential, be over 50 acres in size, and contain at least 50% prime agricultural soils.

For more information, contact Katherine Munson at 410-632-1220 ext. 1302.