858 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 437

D. In addition to the duties and powers hereinafter con-
ferred upon the State Soil Conservation Committee, it shall
have the following duties and powers:

(1) To offer such assistance as may be appropriate to the
supervisors of soil conservation districts, organized as pro-
vided hereinafter, in the carrying out of any of their powers
and programs.

(2) To keep the supervisors of each of the several districts
organized under the provisions of this Act informed of the
activities and experience of all other districts organized here-
under, and to facilitate an interchange of advice and ex-
perience between such districts and cooperation between them.

(3) To coordinate the programs of the several soil con-
servation districts organized hereunder so far as this may
be done by advice and consultation.

(4) To secure the cooperation and assistance of the United
States and any of its agencies, and of agencies of this State,
in the work of such districts.

(5) To disseminate information throughout the State con-
cerning the activities and programs of the soil conservation
districts organized hereunder, and to encourage the formation
of such districts in areas where their organization is desirable.

19. CREATION OF SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICTS. A. Any
twenty-five (25) occupiers of land lying within the limits of
the territory proposed to be organized into a district may
file a petition with the State soil conservation committee ask-
ing a soil conservation district be organized to function in
the territory described in the petition. Such petition shall
set forth:

(1) The proposed name of said district;

(2) That there is need, in the interest of the public health,
safety, and welfare, for a soil conservation district to function
in the territory described in the petition;

(3) A description of the territory proposed to be organized
as a district, which description shall not be required to be
given by metes and bounds or by legal sub-divisions, but shall
be deemed sufficient if generally accurate;

(4) A request that the State soil conservation committee
duly define the boundaries for such districts; that a referen-
dum be held within the territory so defined on the question
of the creation of a soil conservation district in such terri-
tory; and that the committee determine that such a district
be created.

Where more than one petition is filed covering parts of the
same territory, the State soil conservation committee may
consolidate all or any such petitions.