SPIRO T. AGNEW, Governor                         1143

determine, and it is further authorized to adopt all necessary rules
and regulations for the conduct of its business and for the protection
and administration of properties under its control. The Board shall
hold such regular and special meetings as it may deem necessary. It
shall have the power to appoint advisory committees or panels to
assist in the exercise of its powers and functions. The Board is
authorized to determine all questions of general policy relating to
parks, open spaces and watershed conservation in the County,
insofar as these policies do not conflict with the adopted master,
general or comprehensive plan for the physical development of the
County, and to provide, maintain and conduct a comprehensive pro-
gram of public recreation, parks and watershed conservation in the
County. All plans for the acquisition, disposition, control, convey-
ance or lease of properties for park areas and watershed conserva-
tion shall be submitted to the Planning Commission for approval as
to location, character and extent of the proposed acquisition or
disposition and shall thereafter be subject to the approval of the
County Commissioners who shall, before reaching their decision,
hold a public hearing, notice of which has appeared at least three
times immediately prior to the hearing in a newspaper published at
least weekly in Howard County.

(d)  The acquisition of interests or rights in real and personal
property for the preservation of open spaces and areas for public
recreation and enjoyment and watershed conservation constitutes a
public purpose for which public funds may be expended or advanced.
The Park Board may acquire, after approval by the Board of County
Commissioners as set forth in subsection (c) herein, by purchase,
condemnation, grant, gift, bequest, devise or lease of the fee or any
lesser interest, development right, easement, covenant or other con-
tractual right necessary to achieve this public purpose. Title to prop-
erty so acquired shall be in the Board of County Commissioners of
Howard County for the use and benefit of the Park Board. The
Board, with the approval of the County Commissioners, shall have
the power to sell, convey, or in any other manner to dispose of the
said park and watershed properties, including the power to lease
back to the original property owners or other persons for such time
not exceeding five years, and to renew said leases, under such cove-
nants or other contractual arrangements as will limit the uses of
the property in accordance with the purposes of this section. The
County Commissioners may dedicate and set apart for use as park
areas any water, land, buildings or other improvements thereon,
owned or leased by the County. The Board is authorized to supervise
the expenditure of such funds in carrying out the public policy of
this section as may, from time to time, be designated by the County
Commissioners or by public local law for that purpose. The County
Commissioners shall direct the Treasurer of the County to deposit
in an account to the benefit of the Park Board all funds held by the
County for the purpose of acquisition of park lands, including those
funds which were acquired from the sale of bonds designated for
such purpose or funds which were designated as the Park and
Watershed Facilities Fund.

(e)  The Board, subject to budgetary policies and appropriations
of the County Commissioners, is authorized to administer, develop,
equip, operate, maintain and issue permits for the use of any land
or facilities made available to the Board for park programs and
watershed conservation.