Marvin Mandel, Governor                        1869

WHEREAS, All of the Atlantic Ocean shoreline in Maryland is situ-
ated in Worcester County, being that area from Ocean City inlet
to the Delaware line, which now constitutes the municipality of
Ocean City; and

Whereas, Two-thirds of the shoreline is publicly owned by the
State and Federal Governments (with the remaining one-third being
privately owned); and

Whereas, From Ocean City Inlet north to the Delaware line, there
exist subdivisions some of which define the limitation of private
property and public beach and some of which do not; and

Whereas, Following a sudden tidal wave in 1962 (at which time
the northern limits of Ocean City were at 41st Street, the remaining
shoreline to the Delaware line having been annexed), the late Presi-
dent John F. Kennedy declared said area to be a disaster area; and

Whereas, Prior to the completion of said annexation, a dune line
was established by public funds under the supervision of the United
States Army Corps of Engineers; and

Whereas, An agreement was made by the Corps of Army Engi-
neers providing for the maintenance of said dune line by the said
county; and

Whereas, The maintenance of the dune line beyond 41st Street
was not within the contemplation of the parties at the time of the
agreement; and

Whereas, The area consists of three separate plotted land grants,
some of which are so vague as to be the cause of a pending law suite in
the Worcester County Circuit Court relative to the authority of the
local government to grant construction permits in certain portions
of the area; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the Governor
of Maryland is requested to appoint a Commission to study and make
recommendations relating to the maintenance and preservation of
the shoreline and dune line of Ocean City and the establishment of a
line beyond which would be public beach; and be it further

Resolved, That the Commission include the Director of State Plan-

ning, the Mayor of Ocean City, the City Solicitor of Ocean City, a

member designated by the Secretary of Natural Resources, and such
other persons qualified and trained in oceanography and ecology, with
the chairman to be named by the Governor; and be it further

Resolved, That the recommendations of the Commission be reported
to the Worcester County Delegation, the Senators from Senate Dis-
trict 16, and the Legislative Council of Maryland by not later than
November 1, 1971.

Approved May 17, 1971.