improves the quality and extent of coastal deci-
sion-making information, and provides for a bal-
ance in the management of the State's coastal re-
sources.

The Coastal Resources Division also encom-
passes six of the Chesapeake Bay Initiatives of
1984-1985. Assistance is provided to local govern-
ments to design and administer Non-Tidal Wet-
lands protection programs through the develop-
ment of intensive training and education
programs. The Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
Initiative established a five-year planting effort to
assess planting techniques, proper species of vege-
tation, and water quality and habitat improve-
ment. Using marsh grass plantings, the Non-
Structural Shore Erosion Control Program
reduces erosion and sedimentation into the Bay
and its tributaries (Chapter 324, Acts of 1985).
The Monitoring and Data Management Program
assesses trends in water quality, causes and effects
of various water quality levels on living resources,
and effectiveness of management decisions. It also
provides a framework for directing applied re-
search (Chapter 299, Acts of 1985). Data from
this program and other data are stored in a Re-
gional Data Center, a centrally located facility,
jointly maintained with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. This office helps to coordinate
the federal/interstate system and provides a com-
puter data base for use by the Bay Restoration
Program. Lastly, the Shoreline Improvement
Loan Fund provides grants to local governments
for projects to enhance the Chesapeake Bay shore-
line (Chapter 789, Acts of 1984).

Other Coastal Resources Division responsibili-
ties include Recreational Boating Education to en-
hance statewide boating opportunities. Public Ac-
cess Planning, and a Public Participation Program
which works to ensure public involvement in
Maryland's Coastal Zone Management Program.

ADVISORY COMMITTEES

The Tidewater Administration is served by the
following advisory committees:

Boat Act Advisory Committee

T. Marvin Stang, Chairperson

Contact: Osmire Hebert Telephone: 974-2784
(Code Natural Resources Article, sees. 8-701
through 8-727)

Advisory Committee for the Chesapeake Bay
National Estuarine Research Reserve

Chairperson: Mark Bundy

Contact: Randy Schneider Telephone: 974-3782
Formerly the Estuarine Sanctuary Management
Committee, the Advisory Committee for the
Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research
Reserve was created in 1985. The Committee
works to establish areas in estuary for research.

Clam Advisory Committee

Contact: W. Peter Jensen Telephone: 974-3558
(Code Natural Resources Article, sec. 4-1032)

Coastal Resources Advisory Committee

David S. Maney, Chairperson
Telephone: 757-3020

Contact: Cecily Majerus Telephone: 974-3382
(Code Natural Resources Article, sec. l-102(d))

Statewide Oyster Dredgers Committee

Contact: W. Peter Jensen Telephone: 974-3558
(Code Natural Resources Article, sec. 4-1106)

Statewide Oyster Tongers Committee

Chairperson: Rodney Gross

Contact: W. Peter Jensen Telephone: 974-3558
(Code Natural Resources Article, sec. 4—1106)

Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission

Chairperson: Jack Bamhart, 1988

Charles E. Elliott, 1988; Paul C. Helm, 1988; Dr.
James Gilford, 1989; Ronald A. Moser, 1989;
Kenneth Wilson, 1989; C. Donald Auld, 1990;
Kimberly A. Keene, 1990; Willis McQueen, Jr.,
1990.

Appointed by the Secretary of Natural Re-
sources, the Commission advises the Department
on recreational fishing matters. The Commission
consists of nine members appointed to four-year
terms (Code Natural Resources Article, sees.
1-102, 4-204).

Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission

Robert P. Eurice, Chairperson

C. Donald Auld; James Cantler; Charles F. dark,
Jr.; Russell Dize; Joseph E. Heim; Larry