630 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

Maryland's most immediate problems. The administration's proposals
for new programs confront several of these urgent problems.

Highest priority is given to a Comprehensive Water Pollution Con-
trol Program. Maryland is dominated by her waters, and Maryland's
waterways have created her economic strength. Our 4, 000 miles of
waterfront and 2, 400 square miles of water comprise Maryland's
greatest natural resource, one we cannot afford to continue to abuse or
neglect. With proper care and control of our waters, we can attract
more industry, more shipping, more tourists and increase our seafood
and agriculture production. But if we proceed on our present course,
we will be hard pressed to safeguard the health of our citizens as a
single objective.

Water pollution presently exists in such critical proportions that
timid legislation and piecemeal administrative programs will no
longer suffice. Our effort must be intensive and comprehensive, for
only a multi-faceted legislative attack involving immediate capital
expenditures can prevent further, and eliminate existing, pollution
in Maryland's waters.

Therefore, I shall submit for your consideration legislation author-
izing a $129 million bond issue to finance a comprehensive program,
including authorization to provide State grants and to prepay Federal
grants, so that subdivisions will be assisted now in the construction
of urgently needed sewage treatment facilities. This program — one
year in the planning — has been designed to cover virtually every
factor essential to water quality control. Provisions are made to im-
prove storm drainage systems; to curtail unrestrained open surface
runoff; to regulate marinas and watercraft; to encourage demonstra-
tion projects, regional programs and research. Tax relief for in-
dustries installing expensive pollution abatement equipment com-
prises an integral part of this measure.

The portion loaned to local governments and the amounts ad-
vanced to prepay Federal grants will, of course, be recovered. Thus
the program will cost the State considerably less than the $129 million
involved in the proposed bond issue.

The complexity of this program and the expenditures involved
merit detailed justification that time precludes in this speech. How-
ever, a special message will be transmitted to you with the legislative
proposals to provide precise, substantial background information.

One of the darkest shadows in our generally bright state of the
State envelops our many emotionally disturbed citizens. In 1966, the