270/Maryland Manual

the judgment of the Survey, is properly qualified
to conduct such investigations and excavations.

COMMISSION OF THE MARYLAND
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Dr. M. Gordon Wolman, Chairperson

S. James Campbell; James F. Coffroth; Richard
W. Cooper; Dr. John C. Geyer.

(Code Natural Resources Article, sec. 2-204.)

ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
ARCHEOLOGY

Chairperson: Paul Cresthull

Daniel W. Ingersoll, Jr.; Robert L. McFarlin;
Donald G. Shomette; Garry W. Stone.

Tyier J. Bastian, State Archeologist

The Advisory Committee on Archeology was
created within the Maryland Geological Survey
by Chapter 541, Acts of 1968. The Committee
consists of five members with skill and knowledge
in archeological matters, including representatives
of reputable museums, institutions of higher edu-
cation, and recognized scientific and/or historical
societies or institutions. The State Archeologist is
a professional archeologist appointed by the Di-
rector of the Maryland Geological Survey in ac-
cordance with the Merit System Law.

The Advisory Committee also is appointed by
the Director of the Maryland Geological Survey.
It advises the Survey on archeological matters
and formulates rules and regulations regarding
archeological matters for review and publication
by the Survey (Code Natural Resources Article,
secs. 2-301 through 2-308).

NATURAL RESOURCES POLICE
FORCE

Roy W. Rafter, Superintendent

Tawes State Office Building
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 269-2247
269-3181

This agency, created by Chapter 348, Acts of
1972, traces its beginnings to the establishment of
the State Oyster Police Force in 1868 for the en-
forcement of the oyster laws of the State. Legisla-
tion enacted in 1874 brought all forces afloat un-
der the Commission of Fisheries and named the
new unit the State Fishery Force. In 1922 the
Force became a part of the former Conservation
Department and was known as the Maryland Pa-

trol and Inspection Fleet. This provided the foun-
dation for the present-day marine enforcement ac-
tivity of the Natural Resources Police Force.

From a Wildlife and Inland Fisheries stand-
point, the creation of the post of State Game
Warden in 1896 was the benchmark for a system
that would bring greater uniformity to the en-
forcement of conservation laws across the State.
Following the appointment of a State Game War-
den, government programs began which are re-
sponsible for today's inland enforcement activity
of the Natural Resources Police. In 1922 the post
of State Game Warden became a part of the
Maryland Conservation Department along with
the State Fishery Force, renamed the Maryland
Patrol and Inspection Fleet. The Maryland Con-
servation Department continued until 1939, when
it was split into two separate departments: the
Department of Tidewater Fisheries, and the
Game and Inland Fish Commission (later the De-
partment of Game and Inland Fish). The Marine
Enforcement Fleet was then named the Division
of Inspection and Patrol, and later renamed the
Marine Police Division in 1962. Game and Inland
Fish law enforcement officers were called Game
Wardens until 1968, when their title was changed
to Wildlife Officers and their responsibilities
moved into the Department of Natural Re-
sources. Following the abolishment of the De-
partment of Tidewater Affairs and the Depart-
ment of Game and Inland Fish, the Natural
Resources Police Force was created in 1972.

The Natural Resources Police Force enforces
State laws and regulations pertaining to commer-
cial seafood harvesting and sport fishing, boating,
waterways pollution, and wildlife conservation. It
also conducts boating and hunting safety educa-
tional programs.

The Force operates the Natural Resources Po-
lice Academy at Matapeake, a central mainte-
nance and supply facility, and an aviation unit to
provide airborne surveillance and rescue services
to the enforcement programs and other agencies
of the Department of Natural Resources.

Officers assigned to the Marine activity recover
stolen or lost boats and stolen outboard motors,
renders other water-oriented assistance to the
boating public, including delivery of emergency
messages, regatta patrols, towing disabled vessels
into ports, removal of persons from the water,
first aid administration, searching for missing
boats, fire fighting on boats, engine repairs, and
refloating of boats grounded on shoals.

Officers assigned to the Inland activity of the
Natural Resources Police Force are charged with
the responsibility of enforcing all laws and regula-