422 /Department of Natural Resources

MARYLAND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Emery T. Cleaves, Ph.D., Director

2300 St. Paul St., Suite 440
Baltimore, MD 21218—5210 (410) 554-5504

The first State Geological Survey operated from
1834 to 1841. Fifty-five years later, the State Geo-
logical and Economic Survey was established in
1896 (Chapter 51, Acts of 1896). The work of the
Survey was placed under the Department of Geol-
ogy, Mines, and Water Resources in 1941 (Chapter
508, Acts of 1941). In 1964, the Maryland Geo-
logical Survey superseded the Department of Ge-
ology, Mines, and Water Resources (Chapter 73,
Acts of 1964). The Survey became part of the
Department of Natural Resources in 1969 (Chap-
ter 154, Acts of 1969).
The Survey researches the geology, water and min-
eral resources of the State so this knowledge can be
applied to resolve practical problems related to envi-
ronmental and natural resources. Publication of maps
and technical reports are the primary means of relaying
this information to the public, private industry, and
local, State and federal government agencies. The
Survey periodically publishes County Reports, County
and Quadrangle Atlases, Reports of Investigations, Basic
Data Reports, Bulletins, Educational Series, and Informa-
tion Circulars. The Survey also publishes county topo-
graphic and geologic maps, a State geologic map, and
other maps and charts.
The Survey researches and investigates coastal
and estuarine geology related to erosion and sedi-
mentation in the Chesapeake Bay and along the
ocean shoreline. A 42-foot research vessel, the RV
Discovery, is used for Bay research projects. As part
of its applied earth science research on the Bay, the
Survey was one of the principal investigators on the
Chesapeake Bay Program of the U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency (EPA). The Survey's
work is carried out by three programs: Hydrogeol-
ogy and Hydrology; Environmental Geology and
Mineral Resources; and Coastal and Estuarine Ge-
ology.
The Survey is headed by the Director, who is
appointed by the Governor upon recommendation of
the Secretary of Natural Resources (Code Natural
Resources Article, secs. 2-201 through 2-203).

LAND RECLAMATION COMMITTEE
Chairperson: Emery T. Cleaves, Ph.D., Director,
Maryland Geological Survey
Anthony F. Abar, Executive Secretary

c/o Bureau of Mines
160 South Water St.
Frostburg, MD 21532 (301) 689-6104

The Land Reclamation Committee was formed
in 1967 (Chapter 144, Acts of 1967). The Com-
mittee studies, recommends, and approves proce-

dures to reclaim, conserve, and replant land affected
by open-pit coal mining in Maryland. The Commit-
tee reviews mining and reclamation plans, progress
reports, and final reports. It establishes plans and
procedures, as well as practical guidelines, for
prompt and sufficient reclamation, conservation,
and revegetation of all lands disturbed by open-pit
mining of bituminous coal within the State.
The Committee consists of thirteen members.
The Governor appoints four members to three-year
terms: two mining industry representatives, ap-
pointed with Senate advice and consent; one Alle-
gany County Planning and Zoning Commission
member, recommended by the Allegany County
Commissioners and appointed with Senate advice
and consent; and one Garrett County Planning
Commission member, recommended by the Garrett
County Commissioners and appointed with House
of Delegates advice and consent. The Secretary of
Natural Resources appoints six members: an Alle-
gany County resident and a Garrett County resi-
dent, each without any interests in any mining
operation, to serve three-year terms; and four mem-
bers of the Department of Natural Resources, in-
cluding the Committee chairperson. One member
of the Department of the Environment is appointed
by the Secretary of the Environment. The Soil
Conservation Districts of Allegany County and
Garrett County are each represented on the Com-
mittee (Code Natural Resources Article, secs. 7-
205, 7-501 through 7-505, 7-509,7-510,7-515).

STATE MAPPING COMMITTEE
Emery T. Cleaves, Ph.D., Chairperson
(410) 554-5504

The State Mapping Committee originated in
1976 as the State Topographic Mapping Commit-
tee formed by the Secretary of Natural Resources.
In 1988, the Committee received its present name.
The Committee reviews topographic map cov-
erage of the State and evaluates present scales of
mapping. Priorities for revised and new maps are
determined by the Committee and recommended
to the U.S. Geological Survey. The Committee also
examines and evaluates the utility of new map pres-
entations, such as orthophoto maps and slope
maps. In addition, the Committee receives reports
from the U.S. Geological Survey on the status of
mapping in Maryland; makes recommendations for
map funding and revision; and considers computer
mapping techniques and methods of developing
Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
The Committee includes representatives from the
Department of the Environment, Department of
Natural Resources, Maryland Agricultural Land Pres-
ervation Foundation, State Archives, State Depart-
ment of Assessments and Taxation, State Highway
Administration, Office of Planning, Salisbury State
University, Towson State University, Maryland-Na-