996 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 526

ses incurred in the performance of their duties under this
Act. The Governor shall designate the Chairman of the
Commission. The Commission shall maintain offices
which may be located in any other offices of existing de-
partments of the State. Three members of the Commis-
mission shall constitute a quorum, and no action shall be
taken or refused unless by the concurring vote of not less
than three members. The Commission shall keep per-
manent and complete records of its proceedings, meet-
ings, hearings, orders and decisions. The Commission
is hereby authorized and empowered to employ such per-
sons as may be necessary in the performance of its duties
and in the exercise of its powers, engineering, clerical or
otherwise, and pay the compensation and incur the nec-
essary expenses, within the limits of appropriations in
the Budget Bill.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the Water Re-
sources Commission shall devise and develop a general
water resources conservation program for the State. This
program shall contemplate the proper conservation, allo-
cation 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 Com-
mission is hereby authorized and empowered to make, or
cause to be made, all such surveys, maps, investigations
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 Act. All other departments, boards, officials and
agencies of the State of Maryland are hereby directed to
co-operate with and assist the Water Resources Commis-
sion in the performance of its duties and the exercise of
its powers.

SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That from and after
January 1, 1934, it shall be unlawful for the State or any
agency thereof, any person or persons, partnership, as-
sociation, private or public corporation, county, munici-
pality, or other political subdivision of the State, to ap-
propriate or use any waters of the State, surface or un-
derground, 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