424 /Department of Natural Resources

FISH, HERITAGE, & WILDLIFE
ADMINISTRATION

Robert A. Bachman, Director
(410) 974-5551

The Fish, Heritage, and Wildlife Administration
began in 1970 as the Fish and Wildlife Administra-
tion and became the Wildlife Administration in
1972 (Chapter 252, Acts of 1970; Chapter 348,
Acts of 1972). In 1984, the Forest and ParkService
merged with the Wildlife Administration to form
the Forest, Park and Wildlife Service (Chapter 136,
Acts of 1984). Through a reorganization in 1992,
the Fish, Heritage, and Wildlife Administration was
created to oversee three programs: Wildlife; Natu-
ral Heritage; and Freshwater Fisheries.

WILDLIFE PROGRAM
Joshua L. Sandt, Director
(410) 974-3195

The Wildlife Program applies modern professional
wildlife management techniques both to control and
assure continuing wildlife while affording optimum
public recreational opportunities compatible with the
welfare of wildlife resources. The Program engages in
field surveys and research projects to evaluate public
demands on wildlife resources, wildlife populations,
harvesting parameters, and relevant environmental
factors. It constructs ponds (primarily waterfowl habi-
tat) and plants food and cover vegetation. It also
manages and protects birds, land-based reptiles and
amphibians, and mammals. Under its protection are
game species, nongame species, and threatened and
endangered wildlife.
The Program develops and manages thirty-two
State Wildlife Management Areas (public hunting
areas). The Program also manages and administers
recreational use of cooperative wildlife areas and
some State park areas.
The Program is aided by several advisory bodies
among which are the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture
Implementation Committee; Captive Wildlife Advi-
sory Committee; Farm Game Advisory Committee;
Waterfowl Advisory Committee; Wildlife Advisory
Commission; and Wild Turkey Advisory Committee.

WATERFOWL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Vacancy, Chairperson

Contact: Joshua L. Sandt (410) 974-3195

The Waterfowl Advisory Committee was for-
merly the Duck Release Program Advisory Com-
mittee. Appointed by the Governor, the Committee
works with the Wildlife Program to develop an

Maryland Manual 1994-1995

improved duck release program (Code Natural Re-
sources Article, sec. 1-102).

WILDLIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION

C. A. Porter Hopkins, Chairperson, 1993
Contact: Joshua L. Sandt (410) 974-3195

The Governor appoints the Commission to ad-
vise the Wildlife Program and the Secretary of
Natural Resources on wildlife matters. Members
serve four-year terms (Code Natural Resources Ar-
ticle, sec. 1-102).

NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM
Janet S. McKegg, Director
(410) 974-2870

The Natural Heritage Program identifies signifi-
cant natural areas of the State and sets priorities for
their protection. Staff biologists and botanists con-
tinuously update a computerized inventory that
describes Maryland's rare, threatened and endan-
gered plants and animals, as well as unique and
exemplary natural communities. Since 1979, the
Program has maintained a State listing of the threat-
ened and endangered species. Currently, the list
numbers 497 plants and 121 animals protected by
State law. Staff biologists also monitor ecologically
vulnerable species and those with declining popu-
lations or dwindling habitat. The Program advises
federal, State and local county agencies and educa-
tional institutions on ecological resources in Mary-
land (Code Natural Resources Article, secs. 5-1501
through 5-1506).

FRESHWATER FISHERIES
H. Robert Lunsford, Director
(410) 974-3061

Created in 1991, Freshwater Fisheries protects,
preserves, and restores the freshwater fish resources
of Maryland. Through administration of the Fish-
eries Management and Protection Fund, Freshwa-
ter Fisheries conducts scientific investigations and
environmental review, propagates fish, and man-
ages the nontidal finfish of the State.
Through standardized field surveys, Freshwater
Fisheries maintains a data base of the physical, chemi-
cal and biological properties of freshwater resources as
a basis for environmental review and management
planning. By analysis of this data base, consultation
with the Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission, and
communication with the angling public, Freshwater
Fisheries regulates Maryland freshwater fish resources
to assure a pleasurable angling experience and pre-
serve freshwater fish stock for future generations.