County among tops in state in spending Rural Legacy grant money

The county uses the money to buy land easements from property owners with the goal of protecting land around Antietam National Battlefield from development.

Under the program, property owners retain ownership of the land but are paid in exchange for agreeing to protect their land from development, and other restrictions.

Since the program began distributing money in 1998, Washington County has spent $5.25 million to buy easements on more than 2,100 acres of land under the Rural Legacy program, Seifarth said.

The county is working with four property owners to buy an additional 177 acres of easements, he said.

The county is going to ask for $4.8 million more in state funds for the next fiscal year, he said. He said he doesn't expect the county to get the full amount, especially with a tight budget, but thinks it is worth a try.

The county's Rural Legacy area encompasses 37,000 acres from Antietam to South Mountain. That area was chosen for its historical, agricultural and environmental importance, Seifarth said.