Marvin Mandel, Governor                        1827

ducks, and other forms of life that are aquatic and semi-aquatic.
Yet there was no material presented as to ways of increasing this
productivity so that marine and wildlife could be benefited.

Agricultural land production has been stimulated by federal and
state governments. This has been accomplished through (a) plant
selection and breeding, (b) improved cultivation methods of growth,
irrigation, and fertilization, (c) better methods of controlling dis-
eases, insects and pests, as well as other factors causing loss, (d)
better methods of harvesting, storage, and preserving the product
until used by the consumer.

Similar methods applied to wetlands will probably result in their
increased productivity. The necessary knowledge must be obtained to
make our wetlands produce a maximum of food for shellfish, fish,
crabs, game birds, and other life dependents on our marshes. Wet-
lands are a natural resource that could be fully developed for water-
men, sportsmen and all who love the full scope and beauty of our
waterways. That they have been too long neglected is obvious; now,
therefore, be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the appro-
priate State and federal agencies are requested to develop and en-
courage the implementation of methods for increasing the food pro-
ductivity of wetlands; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this Resolution be sent to the University
of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University, the Department of Natural
Resources, the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, and the
Secretary of the Department of Agriculture.

Approved May 6, 1971.

No. 23
(House Joint Resolution 6)

House Joint Resolution requesting the Legislative Council to appoint
a committee to study the feasibility of instituting off-track betting
in Maryland and report its findings to the 1972 House of Delegates.

Whereas, The State and local governments have continual need
for additional revenue; and

Whereas, State controlled off-track betting is a possible new source
of revenue; and

Whereas, There is presently legally unsanctioned off-track betting
which produces no increase in government coffers; and

Whereas, Betting is a popular, socially acceptable pastime in
which a great number of the populous participate; and

Whereas, The tapping of this activity and its resultant financial
harvest by the State would provide a hereunto virgin revenue re-
sources; now, therefore, be it