sources on July 1, 1975 and implemented
by Chapter 320, Acts of 1976, includes all
energy-related agencies in the Department
of Natural Resources under a new adminis-
tration including the Power Plant Siting
Program.
The Power Plant Siting Program created
by Chapter 31, Acts of 1971, is responsible
for the administration of a long range elec-
tric power plant environmental research pro-
gram, monitoring existing and proposed
power plants, evaluating proposed sites and
acquiring land for sufficient standby sites.
Site Evaluations calculate the impact of fu-
ture power plants at proposed sites for
consideration at the hearings on Certificates
of Public Convenience and Necessity and
conducts a detailed site investigation of all
potential power plant sites. The Site Evalu-
ation work forms the basis of program
recommendations to the Public Service Com-
mission for conditions relating to the design,
construction, and operation of a power plant
that are necessary for the protection of the
environment.
Research is geared to developing an un-
derstanding of Maryland's environmental
resources, and socioeconomic structure
which is necessary to site and operate power
plants successfully with a maximum benefit
to society and minimum detriment to the
ecosystem.
Site acquisition identifies, investigates, ac-
quires, and holds in the Land Bank a mini-
mum inventory of four sites suitable for the
construction and operation of power plants.
The functions of the Bureau of Mines and
Mine Reclamation has been transferred to
Energy and Coastal Zone Administration
from the Maryland Geological Survey. The
Bureau of Mines inspects all mines within
the State for proper sanitation, ventilation,
and safety standards in all mining opera-
tions. All persons or corporations engaging
in open-pit or strip mining operations are
required to register with the Bureau before
starting operations and to report periodically
during such operations.
The Coastal Zone Management Program
has been transferred from the Water Re- |
sources Administration to the Energy and
Coastal Zone Management Administration.
The Governor in March 1973 designated
the Department of Natural Resources as the
agency authorized to receive and administer
federal grants pursuant to the Federal Coas-
tal Zone Management Act of 1972.
Subsequent to that the Secretary of the
Department of Natural Resources created
the Coastal Zone Management Program to
develop a program to assure Maryland's
continued participation in the protection
and wise use of its coastal resources. Work-
ing with local, county and other State agen-
cies the Coastal Zone Management hopes to
coordinate environmental programs to
achieve a successful overall coastal zone
program. The Coastal Zone Management
Program has also been designated as the
agency to develop regulations and imple-
ment regulations as specified by the Coastal
Facilities Review Act as passed by the 1975
Maryland Legislature (Nat. Res. Art. sec.
l-102(a)).
LAND RECLAMATION COMMITTEE
Chairman: Lee E. Zeni, Director, Energy
and Coastal Zone Administration
Department of Natural Resources members:
Robert V. Creter, George Gilmore, H.
Monte Nock, Stephen Layton, Ronald
Hawk, Allegany County Soil Conservation
District Supervisors; John Reckner, Gar-
rett County Soil Conservation District
Supervisor; June Nader, Allegany County;
Eugene D. Straub, Garrett County.
Appointed members: Robert C. Harvey,
1978; Donald E. Moran, 1979.
The Land Reclamation Committee, orig-
inally established by Chapter 144, Acts of
1967, had its functions expanded by Chap-
ter 414, Acts of 1969 and by Chapter 6,
Acts of the Special Session of 1973. The
Committee consists of eleven members. The
Director of the Energy and Coastal Zone
Administration serves as Chairman. The
remaining members include the Chairman
of the Soil Conservation District Supervisors
of Garrett County, the Chairman of the Soil
Conservation District Supervisors of Alle-
gany County or their representatives, two |
