846 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 508

leased forests and parks, the administration of all laws
relating to fire control, roadside trees, the restoration of
deforested or denuded areas, and the operation of the
State Forest Nursery.

Forestry extension work, as now being done on private
property, shall continue under the jurisdiction, supervision
and direction of the Extension Service of the University
of Maryland.

A Commission of State Forests and Parks is hereby
created to supersede the present advisory Board of For-
estry and the Regents of the University of Maryland in
supervising and directing the affairs of this Department.
The Commission shall consist of five members, citizens of
the State, to be appointed by the Governor, one of whom
shall be appointed on the recommendation of the Mary-
land State Grange, one on the recommendation of the
Maryland Farm Bureau, one shall have had practical
experience in the business of lumbering, and the other
two shall be appointed for their general interest in the
advancement of forestry. The members of the Commis-
sion shall select their own Chairman.

2. The members of said Commission shall serve for
terms of five years from June 1, 1941, but of the. first
members appointed, one shall serve for one year, one for
two years, one for three years, one for four years and one
for five years. The Governor shall have the power to re-
move for cause and any vacancy shall be filled for the un-
expired portion of the term. The members of the Commis-
sion shall receive no compensation for their services, but
. shall be reimbursed for necessary travelling expenses and
disbursements in attending meetings or performing other
official duties. The present State Forester shall become
the Director of the Department, and his successor shall
be appointed by the Commission, in accordance with the
Merit System law. The State Forester shall be a person
with executive ability and special training and experience
in forestry, and preferably a graduate of an accredited
school of forestry. The State Forester shall be the admin-
istrative head of the Department, shall appoint such assist-
ants and employees as may be provided for in the Budget,
subject to the approval of the Commission and under the
provisions of the Merit System law, and shall have charge
of all Forest Wardens in the State and aid and direct them
in their work. All present personnel of the State Depart-
ment of Forestry shall be transferred to the new Depart-
ment.