360                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                     [CH. 154

regulations and limitations as the Director may from time to time
see fit to establish, and all appointments shall be made under the
merit system in accordance with Article 64A of the Code.

(b)    The Director shall have the power to commission or deputize
department employees other than wildlife officers of the Department
of Game and Inland Fish, who shall be known as deputy wildlife
officers, to assist him in more efficiently enforcing the game and
inland fish laws of this State.

(c)    All employees appointed under this section shall perform
such duties as the Director may designate.

Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That Sections 343, 344(a),
344(d), 344A, 346(a), 347 and 405 of Article 66C of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1957 Edition, 1967 Replacement Volume and 1968
Supplement), title "Natural Resources," subtitle "Forests and Parks
be and they are hereby repealed and re-enacted, with amendments,
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, as a part
of the Department of Natural Resources, to promote, 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 for-
ests, parks, scenic preserves, natural areas, parkways, historic monu-
ments and recreation areas, fire control, roadside trees, the restora-
tion 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.

344.

(a) The office of the Director of the Department is hereby cre-
ated. He shall be appointed by the Governor, [by and with the ad-
vice and consent of the Senate of Maryland] upon the recommenda-
tion of the Secretary of Natural Resources. [His appointment is for
an indefinite term, at the pleasure of the Governor.] He shall serve
under the provisions of Section 234(c) of Article 41 of this Code;
and in the operation and conduct of the Department he is responsible
[solely] to the [Governor] Secretary of Natural Resources. The
salary of the Director shall be as provided in the annual State
Budget.

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