Department of Natural Resources/345

Created in 1969, the Department of Natural Resources traces its roots to the first State Geological
Survey which operated from 1834 to 1841. In 1896, the State Geological and Economic Survey was
formed (Chapter 51, Acts of 1896). The State Game Warden's Office was created in 1896 and became
part of the newly formed Conservation Commission in 1916 (Chapter 293, Acts of 1896; Chapter 682,
Acts of 1916). By 1906, the State Board of Forestry was established (Chapter 294, Acts of 1906). More
conservation agencies were created in 1941: the Board ofNatural Resources; the Department ofTidewater
Esheries; the Department of Game and Inland Fish; the Department of State Forests and Parks; the
Department of Geology, Mines, and Water Resources; and the Department of Research and Education
(Chapter 508, Acts of 1941). These agencies were consolidated to form the Department ofNatural
Resources in 1969 (Chapter 154, Acts of 1969).

Under the Secretary ofNatural Resources, the Department has a Deputy Secretary and six assistant
secretariats. There is one Assistant Secretary each for Administration; Capital Programs; Chesapeake Bay
Programs; and Forest, Park and Wildlife. For Natural Resources, two Assistant Secretaries serve.

The Department is responsible for the Maryland membership units of the Atlantic States Marine
Fisheries Commission, Coastal States Organization, Interstate Mining Commission, Ohio River Basin
Commission, Interstate Oil Compact Commission, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin,
Potomac River Basin Advisory Committee, Potomac River Fisheries Commission, Southern States Energy
Board and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (Code Natural Resources Article, secs. 1-101
through 1-104).

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY The Secretary of Natural Resources heads the Department. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. Under the direct supervision of the Office of the Secretary are the following services: Executive Di- rection, Public Affairs Office, and General Admin- istration. Executive Direction establishes, coordinates, administers, and directs departmental policy, and has final responsibility for management policy Executive Direction also maintains liaison with various legislative bodies. The Public Affairs Office informs the public of Department policies and activities. General Administration oversees fis- cal affairs, personnel, federal aid coordination, data processing services, and the registration and titling of boats. CHESAPEAKE BAY CRITICAL AREA COMMISSION Chairperson: Vacancy Appointed by Governor (who also designates chair) with Senate advice & consent: Wallace D. Miller; Thomas L. Osborne; G. Steele Phillips. Terms expire 1988. Russell W. Blake; Victor K. Butanis; Parris N. Glendening; Ronald B. Hickernell; Thomas L. Jarvis; Kathryn D. Langner; J. Frank Raley, Jr. Terms expire 1990. Ronald D. Adkins; William J. Bostian; Samuel Y. Bowling; Ronald A. Krasic; Albert W. Zahniser. Terms expire 1991.

William H. Corkran, Jr.; James E. Gutman; Shepard Krech, Jr.; Robert R. Price, Jr. Terms expire 1992. Ex ofFicio: Wayne A. Cawley, Jr., Secretary of Agriculture; J. Randall Evans, Secretary of Economic & Employment Development; Robert Perciasepe, designee of Secretary of the Environment; Ardath Cade, designee of Secretary of Housing & Community Development; Torrey C. Brown, Secretary ofNatural Resources; Vacancy, Director of Planning. Dr. Sarah J. Taylor, Executive Director West Garrett Place, Suite 320 275 West St. Annapolis, MD 21401 974-2426 The Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission was created in 1984 (Chapter 794, Acts of 1984). The Commission monitors a 1,000-foot shoreline strip around the Bay and its tributaries. This plan- ning area is critical to the survival of the Bay's tidal waters, fish, wildlife, and plant habitats. The Commission regulates undeveloped land use along the Bay's shores and tributaries and may intervene in local governments' development plans if it determines the Bay may be endangered. Period- ically, the Commission meets with the General Assembly's Joint Committee on Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas. Twenty-six commission members are appointed to four-year terms by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. They include five ex officio voting members or their designees. The Governor designates the chairperson with Senate advice and consent (Code Natural Resources Article, secs. 8- 1801 through 8-1816).