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Savage River Could Get Federal Scenic Designation

Savage River
creative commons
Savage River

WILLIAMSPORT, Md. (AP) - Some environmental activists and trout-stream conservationists are launching an effort to make the Savage River in western Maryland the state's second, federally designated "wild and scenic" river.

The Potomac Riverkeeper Network announced the effort Wednesday in partnership with the Mid-Atlantic Council of Trout Unlimited and the Savage River Watershed Association.

The group is asking property owners in the 74,000-acre watershed to fill out an online survey . The partners say they'll hold a public meeting by mid-November to share the survey results.

Under the "wild and scenic" designation, a local council would develop a management plan for protecting the river through voluntary stewardship by landowners and river users, and through regulation.

The Youghiogheny (yahk-ih-GAY'-nee) River, also in Garrett County, is the state's only river with a "wild and scenic" designation.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.