426                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                      [CH. 238

Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
June 1, 1963.

Approved March 29, 1963.

CHAPTER 238
(House Bill 1023)

AN ACT to authorize and direct the Board of County Commissioners
of Wicomico County to enter into an agreement with the Board
of County Commissioners of Somerset County indemnifying said
County Commissioners of Somerset County from loss due to dam-
ages, Court costs and counsel fees or other costs that may be payable
by said County Commissioners of Somerset County by reason of
the maintenance dredging of the Wicomico River during the years
of 1963 and, 1964 AND 1965 under a contract with the United
States Government.

Whereas, The United States of America, through the Army Corps
of Engineers, has available funds for the maintenance dredging of
certain sections of the Wicomico River, which River forms the bound-
ary line between Wicomico County and Somerset County, and

Whereas, The United States Government, before undertaking said
maintenance dredging, requires said Counties to enter into an agree-
ment guaranteeing to defend, hold and save the United States, its
officers, agents, servants and contractors free from any and all
damages and claims of damage that may result directly or indirectly
from the aforesaid work and maintenance, and

Whereas, Said project is necessary to the welfare of the citizens
of Wicomico County and to industries located therein, but will be of
little or no benefit of the people of Somerset County, and

Whereas, The County Commissioners of Somerset County have
informed the County Commissioners of Wicomico County that they
will not enter into such an agreement with the United States unless
said County Commissioners of Wicomico County agree to save harm-
less the County Commissioners of Somerset County from paying any
damages, Court costs, counsel fees or other costs that may be incurred
under the aforesaid agreement with the United States while the said
project is in progress.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That the County Commissioners of Wicomico County are authorized
and directed to enter into an agreement with the County Commis-
sioners of Somerset County, that if the said County Commissioners
of Somerset County jointly enter into a contract between said County
Commissioners of Somerset County and the County Commissioners
of Wicomico County on the one part and the United States Govern-
ment on the other part, providing for the maintenance dredging of
the Wicomico River in the years of 1963, and 1964 AND 1965, said
County Commissioners of Wicomico County shall be solely liable as
between Wicomico County and Somerset County for the defense of any
actions filed against said County Commissioners of Somerset County