Ch. 658 LAWS OF MARYLAND

railroad property along with other State agencies and to take part in certain
Interstate Commerce Commission proceedings; defining a certain term; and
generally relating to public recreational use of abandoned railroad corridor
property.

BY adding to

Article - Natural Resources
Section 5-1009
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1989 Replacement Volume)

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article - Transportation
Section 9-2Q4(a) through (d)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1977 Volume and 1989 Supplement)

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Transportation
Section 9-301

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - State Finance and Procurement
Section 5-402

Annotated Code of Maryland
(1988 Volume and 1989 Supplement)

Preamble

WHEREAS, The Department of Natural Resources prepared and submitted to
the General Assembly a Maryland Rails-to-Trails Study as required by House Bill 615
passed during the 1988 legislative session; and

WHEREAS, The Study identified certain goals and objectives for the State with
respect to the protection and multiuse of abandoned railroad corridors and outlined
seven recommendations to advance the identified goals and objectives; and

WHEREAS, The long term value to the public of retaining networks of
abandoned railroad corridor lines is substantial, not only in terms of providing
recreational and environmental greenways, but in terms of providing access to public
open space and linking together other community areas that are often only accessible by
vehicle; for efficient and convenient placement of utilities or other infrastructures; and
for the preservation of corridors for future transportation uses; and

WHEREAS, The use of abandoned railroad corridors for multiple purposes may

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