1026                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                       [CH. 411

to construction of the project. Actual payment of the initial cost may
be extended over a 50-year period beginning when augmented flow
is first available from the project.

(j) For the purposes of this subtitle, the term "the District,"
unless otherwise indicated in the text to mean the District of
Columbia, means the area of jurisdiction of the Authority, which
includes the following counties: Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, Mont-
gomery, Prince George's, and Washington.

90.

The Maryland Potomac Water Authority is created as a govern-
mental agency and body politic and corporate, vested with all the
authority granted under the constitution and laws of the State; and
shall have and be recognized to exercise all such authority to conserve,
control, and utilize to beneficial service the storm and flood waters of
the rivers and streams of the Potomac River watershed in the District.
The Authority may adopt and use a corporate seal, contract, sue and
be sued, and do any and all other corporate acts for the purpose of
carrying out the provisions of this subtitle.

91.

The Authority shall consist of mm TEN members. The department
heads of the Department of Water Resources and State Department
of Planning AND THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE WASH-
INGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY DISTRICT shall be ex-officio,
non-voting, members. These ex-officio members may designate alter-
nates from among the senior employees in their places at meetings
of the Authority, when the members are unable to attend. The
governing bodies of each of the represented counties within the
District shall appoint one of its members to serve as a member and
one to serve as an alternate on the Authority at the pleasure of the
governing body. Such members shall be voting members except the
member of the governing body of Garrett county, who shall be a
non-voting member until such time as that county is assessed for
payments to the Authority under the provisions of Section 96 of this
subtitle. The Governor shall appoint one voting member who shall
serve as chairman of the Authority and serve at the pleasure of the
Governor. The members shall serve without compensation but shall
be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance
of their duties.

92.

All actions of the Authority must be approved by unanimous vote
of the voting members.

93.

The Authority may appoint subcommittees and shall MAY utilize
the services of existing state and local agencies.

94.

The Authority may contract with the United States of America,
or any agency thereof FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, for the purpose
of providing a dam, reservoir, and appurtenant facilities on the