806                                LAWS OF MARYLAND                       [CH. 391

laws which the commission finds give adequate protection for the
purposes of this section.

(d) In order to conserve, protect, and utilize the Susquehanna
River and its tributaries in accordance with the best interests of the
people of the basin and the signatory parties, it shall be the policy
of the commission to encourage and coordinate the efforts of the
signatory parties to control modification of the river and its trib-
utaries by encroachment.

6.3—Flood Lands Acquisition. The commission shall have power
to acquire the fee or any lesser interest in lands and improvements
thereon within the area of a flood plain for the purpose of regulating
the use or types of construction of such property to minimize the
flood hazard, convert the property to uses or types of construction
appropriate to flood plain conditions, or prevent constrictions or
obstructions that reduce the ability of the river channel and flood
plain to carry flood water.

6.4—Existing Structures. No rule or regulation issued by the
commission pursuant to this shall be construed to require the
demolition, removal, or alteration of any structure in place or under
construction prior to the issuance thereof, without the payment of
just compensation therefor. However, new construction or any addi-
tion to or alteration in any existing structure made or commenced
subsequent to the issuance of such rule or regulation, or amendment,
shall conform thereto.

6.5—Police Powers. The regulation of use of flood plain lands is
within the police powers of the signatory states for the protection
of public health and the safety of the people and their property
and shall not be deemed a taking of land or lands for which com-
pensation shall be paid to the owners thereof.

6.6—Cooperation. Each of the signatory parties agrees to control
flood plain use along and encroachment upon the Susquehanna and
its tributaries and to cooperate faithfully in these respects.

6.7—Other Authority. Nothing in this article shall be construed
to prevent or in any way to limit the power of any signatory party,
or any agency or subdivision thereof, to issue or adopt and enforce
any requirement or requirements with respect to flood plain use or
construction thereon more stringent than the rules, regulations, or
encroachment lines in force pursuant to this article. The commission
may appear in any court of competent jurisdiction to bring actions or
proceedings in law or equity to enforce the provisions of this article.

6.8—Debris.

The signatory states agree that dumping or littering upon or in
the waters of the Susquehanna River or its tributaries or upon the
frozen surfaces thereof of any rubbish, trash, litter, debris, aban-
doned properties, waste material, or offensive matter, is prohibited
and that the law enforcement officials of each state shall enforce
this prohibition.

66.

Article 7

Watershed Management
7.1—Watersheds Generally. The commission shall promote sound