162 JOINT RESOLUTIONS.

WHEREAS, the Department of Tidewater Fisheries has super-
visory power and control over natural resources of this State
within the bounds of tidewaters; and

WHEREAS, development in the recent functioning of the
Commission on Tidewater Fisheries are indicative of a prob-
able weakness in the structure of the Commission as presently
organized; and

WHEREAS, these developments of recent months have reached
a stage which has undermined public confidence in the opera-
tions of the Commission; and

WHEREAS, the Commission on Tidewater Fisheries is the
only agency dealing with the conservation of natural resources
that is limited to a membership of three, and for which salaried
remuneration is provided; and

WHEREAS, it is desirable that a further study be made of the
conservation of natural resources within the State of Mary-
land and with particular reference to the relationship of the
Department of Tidewater Fisheries to the Board of Natural
Resources; now therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Governor be and he hereby is authorized
and directed to appoint, on or before July 1, 1948, a Commis-
sion to be known as the Commission on Conservation of Na-
tural Resourses, said Commission to be composed of not to
exceed nine residents and citizens of the State of Maryland;
and be it further

Resolved, That said Commission on the Conservation of
Natural Resources be and hereby is authorized and directed
to make a study of the laws of this State relating to the con-
servation of natural resources with particular reference to the
Department of Tidewater Fisheries, its powers, duties and
obligations as they relate to the conservation program of the
State, and to recommend such changes in the Commission on
Tidewater Fisheries and its relationship to the Board of
Natural Resources as may be necessary to make said depart-
ment a more useful and efficient branch of the State govern-
ment, and to submit said recommendations to the Governor
on or before December 1, 1948; and be it further

Resolved, That the Governor and Board of Public Works
may and are hereby authorized and directed to make available
to said Commission from the general emergency fund further
appropriation for the fiscal year 1949 sufficient to pay secre-
tarial, stenographic, mailing, telephone, investigation and re-
lated incidental expenses that may be incurred by the Com-
mission in the performance of its functions and duties herein
set forth.

Approved June 1, 1948.