1000                             Laws of Maryland                      [Ch. 348

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.]

From and after July 1, 1972, all rights, powers, duties, obligations,
and functions heretofore conferred upon or exercised by the Depart-
ment of Forests and Parks shall be transferred to and exercised by
the Department of Natural Resources; and all references to the
Department of Forests and Parks appearing in this Code, in other
laws of the State, or in ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations,
legal actions, directives, or documents, shall be deemed to mean
the Department of Natural Resources.

343A.

[(a) The Commission of Forests and Parks as presently consti-
tuted is hereby continued. It shall consist of seven person, citizens
of the State, who shall be appointed by the Governor for terms of five
years each. One member shall be appointed on the recommendation
of the Maryland State Grange; one on the recommendation of the
Maryland Farm Bureau; one shall have had practical experience in
the lumbering business; and four shall be appointed for their
general interest in the advancement of State parks and recreation.
At all times at least one member of the Commission must be a resi-
dent of Garrett County. The members of the Commission shall select
their own chairman. The Governor shall have the power to remove
members for cause. Any vacancy in the Commission shall be filled
for the unexpired portion of the term. Members of the Commission
shall receive no compensation for their services, but they shall
be reimbursed for necessary traveling and other expenses incurred
in attending meetings.

(b) The Commission shall serve as an advisory committee to
the Director of the Department. It may make suggestions and give
advice to the Director as to the operations and administration of
the Department.]

[344.

(a)  The office of the Director of the Department is hereby created.
He shall be appointed by the Governor, upon the recommendation
of the Secretary of Natural Resources. 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 to the
Secretary of Natural Resources. The salary of the Director shall
be as provided in the annual State budget.

(b)  It is the intention of the General Assembly that the Director
of the Department shall be a person of actual, proven administrative
and executive ability and that in addition the Director shall possess
professional knowledge and training in forestry or in parks and