3068

LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 673

(III) IS DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND
OPERATED AS AN ASSEMBLY AREA FOR THE STORAGE, HANDLING,
AND TRANSPORT OF SUPPLIES WHOSE NEXT AND FINAL
DESTINATION IS ANY OIL AND/OR GAS EXPLORATION,
DEVELOPMENT, OR PRODUCTION-RELATED OPERATION CONDUCTED IN
THE TERRITORIAL SEA, CONTIGUOUS ZONE OR HIGH SEAS AREA;
OR

(5) ANY FABRICATION YARD WHICH IS AN
ASSEMBLY OPERATION USED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OR
PREPARATION OF PETROLEUM DRILLING RIGS, JACKETS OR
PLATFORMS, OR WELLHEAD INSTALLATIONS, WHOSE FINAL
DESTINATION IS INSTALLATION OR OPERATION IN THE
TERRITORIAL SEA, CONTIGUOUS ZONE, OR HIGH SEAS AREA.

(F) "GOVERNMENT AGENCIES" MEANS THE GOVERNMENT OF
THE UNITED STATES, THE STATE OF MARYLAND, OR ANY OTHER
STATE, THEIR POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS, UNITS, OR
INSTRUMENTALITIES THEREOF, AND INTERSTATE UNITS.

(G) "PERSON" INCLUDES CORPORATIONS, COMPANIES,
ASSOCIATIONS, [[SOCIETIES,]] FIRMS, PARTNERSHIPS, AND
JOINT STOCK COMPANIES, AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS AND
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

(H) "SECRETARY" MEANS THE SECRETARY OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.

6-502

(A)    MARYLAND'S COASTAL AREA, WHICH BORDERS THE
ATLANTIC OCEAN AND THE CHESAPEAKE BAY, IS RICH IN A
VARIETY OF NATURAL, COMMERCIAL, RECREATIONAL, INDUSTRIAL,
AND ESTHETIC RESOURCES. THESE RESOURCES POSSESS GREAT
IMMEDIATE AS WELL AS POTENTIAL VALUE FOR THE STATE AND
THE NATION AS A WHOLE. HOWEVER, THE COASTAL AREA AND THE
FISH, SHELLFISH, AND OTHER LIVING MARINE RESOURCES AND
WILDLIFE CONTAINED THEREIN ARE ECOLOGICALLY FRAGILE.
THEY CONSTITUTE A UNIQUE, IRREPLACEABLE, NATURAL, AND
ESTHETIC RESOURCE OF GREAT ECONOMIC VALUE.

(B)    EXTRACTION OF MINERAL RESOURCES AND FOSSIL
FUELS FROM THE BALTIMORE CANYON TROUGH AND ELSEWHERE MAY
CREATE IMMEDIATE, INCREASING, AND COMPETING DEMANDS UPON
THE LANDS AND WATERS OF THE STATE'S COASTAL AREA. THE
INTERESTS OF THE STATE AND THE NATION REQUIRE A METHOD OF
RESOLVING THESE COMPETING DEMANDS WHICH WILL GIVE A HIGH
PRIORITY TO THE NATURAL SYSTEMS OF THE COASTAL ZONE AND
PROMOTE THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE.

(C) CERTAIN FACILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH EXTRACTION
AND REFINING OF MINERAL AND FOSSIL FUEL RESOURCES MAY
ADVERSELY AFFECT THE STATE'S INTEREST IF THEY ARE LOCATED
IN THE COASTAL AREA WITHOUT AN ADEQUATE PLANNING OF THEIR