1500                              LAWS OF MARYLAND                       [CH. 896

FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION ALL STORM DRAIN-
AGE SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF WHICH ARE CON-
STRUCTED PURSUANT TO ITS DIRECTION AND IN AC-
CORDANCE WITH APPROVED PLANS. The Commission

may provide that ALLOW open drainage may be carried in a

natural undisturbed stream only when in its judgment no further
improvements will be required of such stream at a subsequent date.
The Commission may permit open improved channels for the carry-
ing of storm water drainage when the drainage capacity thereof
exceeds the capacity of a pipe of seventy-two (72) inches diameter.
Where open, improved channels are permitted, however, the Com-
mission may require adequate easement or right of way areas and
restrict such areas to the planting and maintenance of grass.

(f)    The Commission shall, from time to time as public health,
safety, convenience and economy require, make and revise such
rules and regulations not inconsistent with law as it may deem
necessary to enable it to carry out the provisions of this Act. The
rules and regulations promulgated hereunder and any revisions
thereof shall be adopted and promulgated in accordance with the
procedures specified by Chapter 608 of the Laws of 1961, being
Section 83-59 of this subtitle, including the giving of thirty days
prior notice by publication in at least one newspaper printed and
published in Montgomery County and one newspaper printed and
published in Prince George's County.

(g)    The Commission is authorized to adopt a reasonable fee not
exceeding six per centum (6%) of the proposed ESTIMATED con-
struction costs for the issuance of any permit required by this Section
or by the rules and regulations adopted hereunder.

(h) For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act,
for performing engineering studies, surveys and reviews, and for
making provision for the expenses to be incurred by the Commission
in maintaining storm drainage systems and parts thereof taken over
for such maintenance by it. the Commission shall request the County
Commissioners of Prince George's County and the County Council
for Montgomery County, respectively, to levy an ad valorem tax on
all assessable property in mid Counties THE PART OF PRINCE
GEORGE'S COUNTY WHICH IS WITHIN THE WASHINGTON
SUBURBAN SANITARY DISTRICT at a rate necessary to pro-
duce annually the sum required by the Commission to perform the
duties and responsibilities cast on it by this Act, not exceeding, how-
over, three (3) cents per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00). The tax
hereby authorized is in addition to and not in substitution for any
ad valorem tax or charge authorized by any other Act of the General
Assembly, but in fixing the amount annually the above limitation
shall include the amount of tax determined and collected under Sec-
tion 83-89 (73-71) of this subtitle for planning and maintaining
drainage systems within the Sanitary District. The tax levy shall
be collected and paid over to the Commission as are other ad valorem
taxes in accordance with the provisions specified by Section 6 of
Chapter 122 of the Acts of 1918, being Sections 83-67 and 73-53,
respectively, of the Code of Public Local Laws of Prince George's
and Montgomery Counties.

(i) In the exercise of its function and authority under this Act,
the Commission is given the power to negotiate and make contracts