838                              Laws of Maryland                       [Ch. 588

(b). As used in this sub-title herein the term "County Commis-
sioners" shall mean the County Commissioners of the county in
which a petition for the establishment of a Public Watershed As-
sociation is filed and such term shall include and be interchangeable
with "County Council'', and the "Mayor and City Council" and the
term "County" shall include and be interchangeable with Baltimore
City.

(c). As used in this sub-title the terms "Watershed Association"
and "Association" shall mean Public Watershed Association.

(d). As used in this sub-title the term "landowner" and "owner
of land" shall mean any person, firm, or corporation who shall hold
title to, or shall have contracted to purchase, land which shall be
benefited by the proposed works of improvement under considera-
tion within a Public Watershed Association organized or proposed
to be organized under this sub-title.

170.    A petition signed by not less than one-third of the land-
owners or by the owners of not less than one-third of the land in a
watershed or sub-watershed area, may be filed with the Clerk of the
Board of County Commissioners of the county in which all or a
greater part of such land is located, describing the area in such a
way as to convey an intelligent idea of its location and boundaries,
and its problems of flood prevention or the conservation, develop-
ment, utilization, and disposal of water, and that the public benefit,
or the public health, safety or welfare would be promoted by estab-
lishing works of improvement for flood prevention or the conserva-
tion, development, utilization, and disposal of water, and asking for
the establishment of a Public Watershed Association for such pur-
poses. Said petition shall be accompanied by a report from the local
Soil Conservation District or Districts lying in whole or in part
within the proposed Association, which shall show the following:

1.    The size and location of the proposed Public Watershed As-
sociation.

2.    The nature of the problems.

3.    The types of treatment believed needed and the benefits an-
ticipated.

4. Whether the proposed Public Watershed Association is prac-
ticable and feasible and is generally supported by the landowners
in the area.

5.    Whether it will promote the public benefit, and be conducive
to the public health, safety, and welfare.

6.    The name of the proposed organization which shall be styled
the "...........................................................Public Watershed Association."

7.    The number of directors (not less than 3) to serve as the
governing body.

The Soil Conservation District or Districts shall file, with the re-
port, maps which shall show a general delineation of the area affec-
ted, together with its location in the county or counties indicated.

171.    The County Commissioners shall, at their first meeting
after receiving such petition and report, examine them, and if they