1244 ARTICLE 96B.

mission shall keep permanent and complete records of its proceedings,
meetings, hearings, orders and decisions. The Commission is hereby
authorized and empowered to employ such persons as may be necessary
in the performance of its duties and in the exercise of its powers, engi-
neering, clerical or otherwise, and pay the compensation and incur the
necessary expenses, within the limits of appropriations in the Budget Bill.

1933. ch. 526, sec. 3.

3. The Water Resources Commission shall devise and develop a gen-
eral water resources conservation program for the State. This program
shall contemplate the proper conservation, allocation and development of
all of the waters, surface and underground, of the State for the best
interests of all of the people of Maryland, and shall guide the Commission
in the issuance of water, water power, dam, reservoir and other permits,
as hereinafter provided. The Commission is hereby authorized and em-
powered to make, or cause to be made, all such surveys, maps, investiga-
tions and studies of the water resources of the State as it may deem
necessary to provide it with sufficient information to formulate a program,
and to perform its duties under this Article. All other departments,
boards, officials and agencies of the State of Maryland are hereby directed
to co-operate with and assist the Water Resources Commission in the
performance of its duties and the exercise of its powers.

1933. ch. 526, sec. 4.

4. From and after January 1, 1934, it shall be unlawful for the State
or any agency thereof, any person or persons, partnership, association,
private or public corporation, county, municipality, or other political sub-
division of the State, to appropriate or use any waters of the State, surface
or underground, without the consent or permit of the Water Resources
Commission, in writing, previously obtained, upon written application
therefor to the Commission. Nothing in this section shall be construed
to apply to the use of water for domestic and farming purposes or to the
use of water for an approved water supply of any municipality; nor
shall it apply to any particular use in existence on January 1, 1934, pro-
vided such use is not thereafter abandoned.

1933, ch. 526, sec. 5.

5. From and after January 1, 1934, it shall be unlawful for the State
or any agency thereof, any person or persons, partnership, association,
private or public corporation, county, municipality or other political sub-
division of the State, to construct, reconstruct or repair any reservoir,
dam or water-way obstruction; or to make or construct, or permit to be
made or constructed, any change therein or addition thereto; or to make,
or permit to be made, any change in, addition to, or repair of, any existing
water-way obstruction; or in any manner to change or diminish the
course, current, or cross-section of any stream or body of water, wholly
or partly within, this State, except the tidal waters, without a permit