Cumberland Times-News

Local News

June 17, 2012

Drinking water spigot shut off at Big Run

For the Cumberland Times-News Cumberland Times-News

BIG RUN — The drinking water spigot at the primitive campground at Big Run State Park has been shut off since December when Maryland Park Service officials discovered that permanent residents in the area were using the bulk of the water.

“People who live in that area, including farmers with large tanks, were filling containers and taking the water for use elsewhere,” said Chris Bushman, deputy superintendent. “It cost us $15,000 to pay Maryland Environmental Services for the treated water and we only made $11,000 on fees for camping. It was a business decision. We believe that the state’s citizens want us to operate efficiently.”

Bushman said information about the shut-off was posted on the agency’s website immediately and a sign was put up at the campground.

“Most primitive campgrounds don’t have drinking water. This one just happened to have the spigot. There is still a portable toilet there.”

When the water was turned off, the park service reduced the nightly camping fee from $15 to $10. “Our developed parks charge about $30 for a night’s camping,” Bushman said.

Nearby are other waterless primitive campsites in Savage River State Forest, according to Bushman. Campers who want more services, including drinking water, have the option of New Germany State Park just up Big Run Road.

Big Run offers 30 primitive sites and fills up on holiday weekends such as Memorial Day, according to Bushman. On other weekends there will be five to 10 sites occupied, he said.

“Because Big Run is a first-come, first-served campground, there is no need to call ahead. People who do happen to call before arriving are told about the water situation,” Bushman explained. Nobody was prosecuted for taking the water, he added.

 

Text Only
Local News
  • The bear necessities The bear necessities

    A crew from the Maryland Wildlife & Heritage Service successfully removed a young female bear from a tree in South Cumberland Thursday morning, eventually releasing the bruin on state-owned land in Allegany County.

    May 23, 2013 3 Photos

  • Rocky Gap Casino Resort flush with visitors; 1,000 estimated on first day Rocky Gap Casino Resort flush with visitors; 1,000 estimated on first day

    Nearly 300 people were waiting outside and in the lobby Wednesday when Rocky Gap Casino Resort officials emerged at about 4 p.m. to announce they had received a call from the Maryland gaming commission that they were approved to open.

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • County: Increase in water rates planned

    Many customers in Allegany County will likely see a small increase in their water and sewer rates during the upcoming fiscal year.

    May 23, 2013

  • Obama defends drone strikes, but says not a cure-all Obama defends drone strikes, but says not a cure-all

    President Barack Obama sought Thursday to advance the U.S. beyond the unrelenting war effort of the past dozen years, defining a narrowing terror threat that still imperils the nation but now is defined by smaller networks and homegrown extremists rather than the grandiose plots of Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida. He defended his controversial drone-strikes program as a linchpin of the U.S. response to the evolving dangers.

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • Sealed with a hug Sealed with a hug

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • Todd HELMICK Live music takes center stage at 6th DelFest

    With more than 30 musical acts set to take the stage at the 6th annual DelFest this weekend, now might be a good time to let folks know about some of the bands that will headline this four-day music festival.

    May 23, 2013 2 Photos

  • Museum hosting Hill Street School reunion Museum hosting Hill Street School reunion

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • Bear in tree

    A crew from the Maryland Wildlife & Heritage Service successfully removed a young female bear from a tree in South Cumberland Thursday morning, eventually releasing the bruin on state-owned land in Allegany County.

    May 23, 2013

  • Taking the fifth Taking the fifth

    The Internal Revenue Service official at the center of the storm over the agency’s targeting of conservative groups told Congress on Wednesday that she had done nothing wrong in the episode, and then invoked her constitutional right to refuse to answer lawmakers’ questions.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • Rocky Gap casino opens

    The newly christened Rocky Gap Casino Resort has opened its doors to the public.

    May 22, 2013