208 ARTICLE 2A

other thick-growing, soil-holding crops; retardation of run-off by increas-
ing absorption of rainfall; and retirement from cultivation of steep, highly
erosive areas and areas now badly gullied or otherwise eroded.

D. (Declaration of Policy. ) It is hereby declared to be the policy of
the legislature to provide for the conservation of the soil and soil resources
of this State, and for the control and prevention of soil erosion, and thereby
to preserve natural resources, control floods, prevent impairment of dams
and reservoirs, assist in maintaining the navigability of rivers and har-
bors, preserve wildlife, protect the tax base, protect public lands, and pro-
tect and promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the people of
this State.

1937, ch. 437, sec. 17.

47. (Definitions. ) Wherever used or referred to in this sub-title, un-
less a different meaning clearly appears from the context;

(1) "District" or "soil conservation district" means a governmental
sub-division of this State, and a public body corporate and politic, organ-
ized in accordance with the provisions of this sub-title, for the purposes,
with the powers, and subject to the restrictions hereinafter set forth.

(2) "Supervisor" means one of the members of the governing body of
a district, elected or appointed in accordance with the provisions of this
sub-title.

(3) "Committee" or "State soil conservation committee" means the
agency created in Section 48 of this sub-title.

(4) "Land occupier" or "occupier of land" includes any person, firm,
or corporation who shall hold title to, or shall be in possession of, any
lands lying within a district organized under the provisions of this sub-
title, whether as owner, lessee, renter, tenant or otherwise.

(5) "Due notice" means notice published at least twice, with an inter-
val of at least 7 days between the two publication dates, in a newspaper or
other publication of general circulation within the appropriate area, or if
no such publication of general circulation be available, by posting at a
reasonable number of conspicuous places within the appropriate area,
such posting to include, where possible, posting at public places where it
may be customary to post notices concerning county or municipal affairs
generally. At any hearing held pursuant to such notice, at the time and
place designated in such notice, adjournment may be made from time to
time without the necessity of renewing such notice for such adjourned
dates.

1937, ch. 437, sec. 18.

48. (State Soil Conservation Committee. ) There is hereby estab-
lished, in the State Board of Agriculture and the Regents of the Univer-
sity of Maryland, to serve as an agency of the State and to perform the
functions conferred upon it in this sub-title, the State Soil Conservation
Committee. The following shall serve as members of the committee: the
Director of the Maryland Experiment Station, the Director of the Mary-
land Extension Service, the Maryland State Forester, the Chairman of
the State Board of Agriculture, and the principal administrative officer
for Maryland of the Soil Conservation Service, United States Department
of Agriculture. The committee shall adopt a seal, which seal shall be judi-