Pa. Group Drops Offer For Cumberland, Md., Land

CUMBERLAND, Md. (AP) -- A conservation group is withdrawing its offer to buy nearly 3,900 acres owned by the city of Cumberland in neighboring Pennsylvania.

Mayor Brian Grim announced the Western Maryland Conservancy's decision at a City Council meeting Tuesday.

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

Cumberland residents had expressed strong opposition to the city's proposal to sell the property to the conservation group for $4 million.

The opposition came despite promises that the land would be preserved for recreational use and the city's water rights would be retained.

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