242                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                       [CH. 75

title "Forests and Parks," subheading "In General," and to add
new Sections 343A and 344A to the said Article, subtitle and sub-
heading of the Code, to follow immediately after Sections 343 and
344 thereof, relating generally to the administration and control
of forests and parks in the State, to change the status and duties
of the Commission of Forests and Parks, to provide for the ad-
ministrative officials of the Department of Forests and Parks and
for their terms, STATUS, powers and duties.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Sections 343 and 344 of Article 66C of the Annotated Code
of Maryland (1957 Edition and 1963 Supplement), title "Natural
Resources," subtitle "Forests and Parks," subheading "In General,"
be and they are hereby repealed and re-enacted, with amendments;
and that new Sections 343A and 344A be and they are hereby added
to the said Article, subtitle and subheading of the Code, to follow
immediately after Sections 343 and 344 thereof, and all to read
as follows:

343.

Forests, parks, scenic, historic and recreation areas of the State
of Maryland are basic assets. Their proper use, development and
preservation are necessary to protect and promote the health, safety,
economic and general welfare of the people of the State. It is hereby
declared to be the policy of the State to encourage the economic
development and use of its natural resources for the improvement
of local economy, preservation of the natural beauty and promotion
of the recreational interest throughout the State.

The Department of Forests and Parks is hereby created to pro-
mote, administer and manage all State owned or leased forests,
parks, scenic preserves, parkways, historic monuments and recrea-
tion areas, the administration of all laws, rules and regulations relat-
ing to forests, parks, scenic preserves, parkways, historic monuments
and recreation areas, fire control, roadside trees, the restoration of
deforested or denuded areas, and the operation of the State forest
nursery.

Forest extension work, as now being done on private property,
shall continue under the jurisdiction, supervision and direction of
the extension service of the University of Maryland.

[A Commission of Forests and Parks is hereby created to super-
sede the present advisory Board of Forestry and Regents of the
University of Maryland in supervising and directing the affairs of
this Department. The Commission shall consist of five members,
citizens of the State, to be appointed by the Governor, one of whom
shall be appointed on the recommendation of the Maryland State
Grange, one on the recommendation of the Maryland Farm Bureau,
one shall have had practical experience in the business of lumbering,
and the other two shall be appointed for their general interest in
the advancement of State parks and recreation. The members of
the Commission shall select their own chairman.]

343A.

(a) The Commission of Forests and Parks as presently consti-
tuted is hereby continued. It shall consist of five persons, citizens
of the State, who shall be appointed by the Governor for terms of