Md. City In No Rush To Sell Watershed Land

CUMBERLAND, Md. (AP) -- Cumberland Mayor Lee Fiedler says the city is in no rush to sell more than 3,800 acres of forested land to a Pennsylvania conservation group.

Fiedler spoke during a public meeting Tuesday about a proposal to sell the property in neighboring Bedford County, Pa., to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy for $4 million.

The land is in the watershed of two reservoirs that supply Cumberland's drinking water.

Fiedler says the city would retain control of the water while receiving funds to upgrade its water system.

Some citizens expressed opposition to the tentative deal, which the city announced in October, saying the price was too low.

Fiedler says the city has been discussing a sale or easement on the property for two years.

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