1348                            LAWS OF MARYLAND                       CH. 672

CHAPTER 672
(House Bill 417)

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments Sections 343,
344A, and 346 of Article 66C of the Annotated Code of Mary-
land (1967 Replacement Volume), title "Natural Resources,"
subtitle "Forests and Parks," subheading "In General," and to
add new Section 345B to said title, subtitle, and subheading of
said Article of the Code, to immediately follow Section 345A
thereof, to authorize the Department of Forests and Parks to
acquire land to be preserved as "natural areas," to define and
classify natural areas, and to provide for the administration of
these areas and the duties of the Department of Forests and
Parks concerning these areas, amending the laws pertaining to
the Department of Forests and Parks to include reference to
water, wetlands, streams, valleys and the promotion of leisure
interest and to make it mandatory that the Department cooperate
with others in the preparation of certain plans.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Sections 343, 344A, and 346 of Article 66C of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1967 Replacement Volume), title "Natural
Resources," subtitle "Forests and Parks," subheading "In General,"
be and they are hereby repealed and re-enacted, with amendments;
and that new Section 345B be and it is hereby added to said title,
subtitle and subheading of said Article of the Code, to immediately
follow Section 345A thereof, and all to read as follows:

343.

Forests, streams, valleys, wetlands, 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 and leisure 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, natural areas, parkways, historic monuments
and recreation areas, the administration of all laws, rules and
regulations relating to forests, parks, scenic preserves, natural
areas, 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.

344A.

There shall be two divisions within the Department, a Division of
Forests, under the direction of the State Forester, and a Division