Officials: Anne Arundel County Must Open Private Beach To Public
MAYO, Md. (AP) -- Maryland's Natural Resources Department is mandating a county open up a small stretch of beach access to the public, saying it's been used privately and in violation of grant agreements for 30 years.
The Capital reports the department stated Anne Arundel County has allowed a community association private access to 1,860 feet (567 meters) of what should be public shoreline at Beverly Beach.
The Beverly Beach Community Association has leased the land from the county to use as a private park for three decades.
But state and federal grants stipulate that land must remain open.
The department says the county must make the land public or find the same amount elsewhere for the public.
County officials say they'll meet with the community association this week to create a plan.
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