372                                   LAWS OF MARYLAND                          [CH. 171

or scenic resources; and to maintain such open spaces in a way that
will reduce the danger of fire which exists when open areas covered
with vegetation remain in their natural state.

34D.

In addition to matters specified elsewhere in this subheading, the
acts authorized under this subheading include the following:

(1)   The formation of districts.

(2)  The planning, maintaining, improving, protecting, limiting the
future use of or otherwise conserving open spaces and areas within
the county and the reduction of the hazards of fire, erosion, and flood-
ing in such areas by:

(i) Clearing and removing or ordering the clearing and removal
of dry grass, stubble, brush, rubbish, litter, or other inflammable
material which endangers the public safety by creating a fire hazard
and which is not provided for by the regular fire controls;

(ii) Acquiring, constructing and maintaining works, not otherwise
regularly provided by the county which are necessary or convenient
for the prevention and extinguishing of fires;

(in) Destroying and removing noxious, dangerous or unsightly
weeds;

(iv) Planting and maintaining trees, shrubs, lawns and other vege-
tation;

(v) Making such regulations as are necessary or desirable to limit
the future use of the areas in order to maintain or enhance the con-
servation of their natural or scenic resources and to protect the public
health and safety; and

(vi) Constructing and maintaining such other improvements as
may be necessary or convenient for the accomplishment of the pur-
poses of this subheading.

(3)   The doing of all acts and things necessary or convenient for
the accomplishment of the purposes of this subheading.

34E.

Proceedings for the formation of an open space maintenance dis-
trict may be initiated by petition signed by the owners of assessable
land in the proposed district, as shown by the last assessment roll of
the county or as their names appear upon the real property owner-
ship records of the assessor's office owning lands of an assessed value
of not less than fifty-one per cent (51%) of the total assessed value
of all assessable land in the district, as shown by the last county
assessment roll, which lands also constitute more than one-half of
the area of all assessable land in the proposed district. The petition
shall contain a general description of the exterior boundaries of the
proposed district. The petition shall contain a general description of
the open spaces to be maintained or improved, a general description
of the work or improvement to be done on the open spaces, and a
statement that the petition is filed pursuant to this subheading. The
petition shall be filed with the Administrative Assistant, who shall