THEODORE R. MCKELDIN, GOVERNOR 513

trict 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 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, as an easement,
for the construction, extension or maintenance of any
erosion prevention works to prevent erosion by Chesa-
peake 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 proceed-
ings in the Circuit Court for the County as now provided
by Article S3A 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 pay-
ing 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 proposed to be protected by said erosion
prevention works, to abide by and fulfill any judgment on
appeal or on further proceedings.

158. (a) Upon the written application or petition of
75 per cent of the property owners in any of said Dis-
trict, requesting erosion prevention works, the County
Commissioners, acting as District Council for any of such
districts, are hereby authorized and empowered to con-
struct erosion prevention works in said districts to pre-
vent erosion by the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries, or
by any other stream or body of water in this State. The
said County Commissioners, acting as District Council,
shall provide the necessary engineering agency for the
preparation of plans, specifications, contracts and super-
vision.

(b) For the purpose of providing funds for the pur-
chases and condemnations authorized by Section 168

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