ANatural Environment Area (NEA) is a unit of the Park Service of theMaryland Department of Natural Resources. These public lands are generally 1,000 acres (4 km2) or more in extent and are judged to constitute a "significant natural attraction or unique geological feature". Development within an NEA is generally confined to trails, interpretive facilities and limited support facilities.[1]
In contradistinction toMaryland Wildlands, which may only be established or removed by an act of theMaryland General Assembly, NEAs are designated by the DNR. (The more restrictive and protective designation of a Maryland Wildland, however, is sometimes establishedwithin an NEA.)
As of 2016[update], the state ofMaryland managed seven NEAs covering 12,698 acres (51.39 km2) of land.[2]
| NEA name[2] | County[2] | Area[2] |
|---|---|---|
| Belt Woods Natural Environment Area | Prince George's | 625 acres (2.53 km2) |
| Mattawoman Natural Environment Area | Charles | 1,727 acres (6.99 km2) |
| Morgan Run Natural Environment Area | Carroll | 1,930 acres (7.8 km2) |
| Severn Run Natural Environment Area | Anne Arundel | 1,759 acres (7.12 km2) |
| Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area | Baltimore | 2,078 acres (8.41 km2) |
| Youghiogheny Wild River Natural Environment Area | Garrett | 4,129 acres (16.71 km2) |
| Zekiah Swamp Natural Environment Area | Charles | 450 acres (1.8 km2) |
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