dinate the plans and programs of federal. State, local, regional, metropolitan, county, and municipal
governments in order to avoid duplication and conflict.

The Department's existing authority to guide and to direct the State developmental planning process
was expanded by Chapter 291, Acts of 1974, by placing new legal requirements on both the local
subdivisions and the State. Effective July 1, 1974, the local subdivisions of Maryland are required to
determine, to designate, and to recommend areas of Critical State Concern as a part of their compre-
hensive plans and to submit such recommendations to the Secretary of State Planning. After consulta-
tion with the local subdivisions and considerations of the areas recommended, the Secretary of State
Planning must make final determination of areas to be designated as being of Critical State Concern
and include such determinations as a part of the State Development Plan. Additionally, the Secretary
is empowered to identify areas of Critical State Concern and has established guidelines for use by the
local jurisdictions in making their recommendations.

Other new or expanded powers of the Department of State Planning include the authority to expand
the Department's functions as the State's clearinghouse to include review and analysis of State grants
to local governments; the authority to establish and to recommend a statewide referencing system for
all basic planning data for use by all units of State and local government; the right to intervene in, and
become a party to, any administrative, judicial, or other proceeding in the State concerning land use,
development, or construction; and the responsibility to establish a State depository for all government
general, area, and functional plans prepared by State, regional, local, municipal, and interstate agen-
cies. Each entity is required to submit such plans to the Department of State Planning as they are pro-
mulgated.

The State Intergovernmental Assistance Clearinghouse is responsible for coordinating the review of
approximately 200 federal grants-in-aid programs, directing Federal Development projects in the State,
and drafting Environmental Impact Statements pursuant to the provisions of the Intergovernmental
Cooperation Act of 1968 as implemented by Office of Management and Budget Circular A-95. All
applicants for federal aid under the specified programs must first submit to the State Clearinghouse a
Notification of Intent to Apply for Federal Aid. This notification is forwarded to appropriate State, re-
gional, and local government agencies for review and comment. It is checked to assure consistency
with comprehensive State, regional, and local plans, to review its environmental impact, and to elimi-
nate duplication and conflict thereby increasing the effectiveness and value received from the expendi-
ture of resources. The Clearinghouse is also designated as the State Central Information Reception
Agency and receives all information from federal agencies on grants made within the State. This infor-
mation is compiled and distributed monthly and annually to interested officials and agencies of the
State and its subdivisions. The Clearinghouse is responsible for coordinating the review and analysis of
State grants to local governments, such as Program Open Space, Water/Sewage, and proposed
nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. The Clearinghouse has been designated by
federal regulatory agencies as the focal point in regards to requests for, or the dissemination of, infor-
mation from those agencies, e.g. railroad abandonments, licensing of nuclear power plants, and public
hearings. The Clearinghouse is also responsible for maintaining an inventory of all federal and State
owned land in the State and for coordinating changes in use and disposal of all excess State and sur-
plus federal property.

The Catalog of State Assistance Programs provides information on State grants, loans, and services
available to State and local agencies and the general public, including: type of assistance; the adminis-
tering State agency; eligibility requirements; and application procedures. Updated annually, the catalog
may be obtained through the State Clearinghouse, Department of State Planning.