372 LAWS OF MARYLAND [CH. 66

Erosion

167. Territory within each and every sub-division of land
in any county of this State, sub-divided for residential and
business uses, and abutting or bordering upon the Chesapeake
Bay and tributaries, or upon any other stream or body of
water in this State, as shown by the plats of said respective
sub-divisions recorded among the Land Records of said
county be, and the same hereby are, respectively created
separate Taxing and Assessment Districts; and each District,
for the purposes of this sub-title, shall bear the name of the
sub-division out of which it is created.

168. (a) The County Commissioners of the County is ARE
hereby authorized and empowered to act as the District
Council for each of said Taxing and Assessment Districts,
and, in carrying out the provisions of this sub-title, to use all
the applicable power and authority vested in ii THEM by
existing law and by this sub-title.

(b) Whenever it shall be deemed necessary by said County
Commissioners, acting as a District Council for any of said
Taxing and Assessment Districts, to take or acquire any land,
structures or buildings, either in fee or as an easement, for
the construction, extension or maintenance of any erosion
prevention works to prevent erosion by Chesapeake Bay and
tributaries, or by any other stream or body of water in this
State, in any of said Taxing and Assessment Districts, it
may purchase the same from the owner or owners, or, failing
to agree with the owner or owners thereof, may condemn the
same, and any interest of any tenant, lessee or other person
therein, by proceedings in the Circuit Court for the County
as now provided by Article 33A of the Annotated Code of
Maryland. At any time after ten days after the return and
recordation of the> verdict or award in said proceedings, the
said County Commissioners, acting as the District Council
for such Taxing and Assessment District, may enter and take
possession of the property so condemned, upon first paying to
the Clerk of the Court the amount of said award and all
costs taxed to date notwithstanding any appeal or further
proceedings upon the part of the defendant or defendants; at
the time of said payment, however, it shall give its corporate
undertaking, acting as District Council for the District pro-
posed to be protected by said erosion prevention works, to
abide by and fulfill any judgment on appeal or on further
proceedings.

169. (a) Upon the written application or petition of any
75 PER CENT OF THE property owner or owners in any of