1560                               JOINT RESOLUTIONS

Damage to Agricultural Crops by Wildlife in Maryland, requesting
the Board to confer with the Maryland Congressional delegation
and the appropriate Federal agencies concerning amending the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act and to continue its study of the prob-
lems of wildlife depredation.

Whereas, The House of Delegates in passing House Resolution 93
in 1966 requested the Board of Natural Resources to study the means
of prohibiting the destruction of agricultural crops by wildlife; and

Whereas, Pursuant to this Resolution the Board appointed a com-
mittee chairmaned by Dean Gordon M. Cairns of the University
of Maryland, and the committee compiled A Report on the Problems
of Damage to Agricultural Crops by Wildlife in Maryland; and

Whereas, This report has been hailed by agricultural experts as
the most concise and thorough investigation that has been pub-
lished on this subject; and

Whereas, The report concludes the red-winged blackbirds, cow-
birds, and grackles cause approximately $2,750,000 damage to corn
in Maryland annually, but these birds are protected by the Migra-
tory Bird Treaty Act; and

Whereas, The report notes the severity of the problems of agri-
cultural losses caused by damage by birds, deer, groundhogs, rats
and mice, and other wild animals but it does not include any specific
recommendation for legislation; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the Board
of Natural Resources and Dean Gordon M. Cairns are congratulated
on the excellent job done in compiling A Report on the Problems
of Damage to Agricultural Crops by Wildlife in Maryland; and, be it
further

Resolved, That the Board of Natural Resources is directed to con-
tact Maryland's Senators and Representatives in Congress and the
appropriate Federal agencies concerning amending the Migratory
Bird Treaty Act; and, be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Natural Resources continue its study
of the problem of wildlife depredation and report to the 1969
Session of the General Assembly with specific legislation to help
rectify the problem; and, be it further

Resolved, That copies of this Resolution be sent Roy Walsh, Chair-
man of the Board of Natural Resources, and Dean Gordon M. Cairns,
and the members of the Maryland delegation to Congress.

Approved April 10, 1968.

No. 9
(Senate Joint Resolution 8)

Senate Joint Resolution requesting the Legislative Council in 1968
to provide a review of the laws concerning the Public Service
Commission and its power and operations.