1568                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                        [CH. 763

CHAPTER 763
(House Bill 1021)

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Sections 344 and
SECTION 346 of Article 66C of the Annotated Code of Maryland
(1957 Edition), title "Natural Resources," subtitle "Forests and
Parks," subheading "In General," relating to the duties and re-
sponsibilities of the Department of Forests and Parks and pro-
viding that it shall have authority to accept federal funds for use
in Maryland.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Sections 344 and SECTION 346 of Article 66C of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1957 Edition), title "Natural Resources," subtitle
"Forests and Parks," subheading "In General," be and they are IT
IS hereby repealed and re-enacted, with amendments, to read as fol-
lows

344.

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 four years and

one for five years. The Governor shall have the power to remove for

cause and any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired portion of

the term. The members of the Commission shall receive no compensa-
tion for their services, but shall be reimbursed for necessary traveling
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
Director shall be a person with executive ability and special training
and experience in forestry, and a graduate of an accredited school
of forestry. The Director shall be the administrative head of the
Department, shall appoint such assistants and employees as may be
provided for in the budget, subject to the approval of the Commis-
sion and under the provision of the merit system law, and shall have

charge of all forest and park wardens in the State, aid and direct

them in their work; take such action as is authorized by law to pre-

vent and extinguish forest fires, enforce all laws, rules and regula-

tions pertaining to public forests, scenic preserves, historic monu-
ments, parkways, parks and recreation areas, and prosecute for any
violations of such laws, rules and regulations; direct the coordina-
tion, planning and promotion of recreation in cooperation with public
and private agencies and the planning, administration and improve-
ment of State parks, scenic preserves, historic monuments, parkways,
State recreation areas, forest reserves; collect data relative to forest
management; the administration of the forest conservation practices
on privately owned forest land and cooperate with landowners as
described in Sections 346 and 389 to 400 inclusive of this subtitle.
All present personnel of the State Department of Forestry shall be
transferred to the new Department.

346.

The Director shall upon request, under the action SUPERVISION
of the Department COMMISSION of Forests and Parks, and when-