Ch. 702                          MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                              1477

PRESERVATION, AND ENHANCEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT;

(D)    IT IS THE CONTINUING POLICY OF THE STATE TO
COOPERATE WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, OTHER STATE
GOVERNMENTS, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, THE POLITICAL
SUBDIVISIONS OF THE STATE, AND OTHER CONCERNED PUBLIC
AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS, IN A MANNER
CALCULATED TO PROTECT, PRESERVE, AND ENHANCE THE
ENVIRONMENT.

(E)     THE DETERMINATION OF AN OPTIMUM BALANCE
BETWEEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY [[DESERVES)] REQUIRES THE MOST THOUGHTFUL
CONSIDERATION OF ECOLOGICAL, ECONOMIC, DEVELOPMENTAL,
RECREATIONAL, HISTORIC, ARCHITECTURAL, AESTHETIC, AND
OTHER VALUES;

(F) BENEFICIAL ENVIRONMENTAL_ EFFECTS OF PROPOSED
ACTIONS CAN BE IDENTIFIED AND MEASURES DEVISED TO OBTAIN
THESE BENEFITS IF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATIONS_ ARE MADE A
PART OF THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES OF THE STATE;

[[(F)]] (G) ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL [[IMPACTS]] EFFECTS
OF PROPOSED ACTIONS CAN BE ANTICIPATED. MINIMIZED, AND
OFTEN ELIMINATED IF ENVIRONMENTAL [[IMPACT STATEMENTS
ARE PREPARED EARLY IN AND ARE ACTIVELY CONSIDERED
THROUGH THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES OF THE STATE]]
EVALATIONS_ ARE MADE A PART OF THE DECISION-MAKING
PROCESSES OF THE STATE;

[[(G) AN]] (H) ENVIRONMENTAL [[IMPACT STATEMENT
PROCESS]] EFFECTS REPORTS CAN FACILITATE THE FULLEST
PRACTICABLE PROVISION OF TIMELY PUBLIC INFORMATION,
UNDERSTANDING, AND PARTICIPATION IN THE DECISION-MAKING
PROCESSES OF THE STATE;

[[(H)]]_(I) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS AN OBLIGATION TO
THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND TO REVIEW AND EVALUATE
PROPOSED APPROPRIATIONS AND OTHER PROPOSED LEGISLATION
AND THE CONDUCT OF THE STATE AGENCIES IN CARRYING OUT
THE POLICY SET FORTH IN THIS SUBTITLE; AND

[[(I)]] (J) THE POLICIES, RULES, REGULATIONS, AND PUBLIC
LAWS OF THE STATE SHALL BE INTERPRETED AND ADMINISTERED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE POLICIES SET FORTH IN THIS
SUBTITLE.

449. DEFINITIONS.

FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS SUBTITLE, UNLESS OTHERWISE
REQUIRED BY THE CONTEXT:

(A) THE TERM "STATE AGENCIES" SHALL INCLUDE THE
EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS, OFFICES,
BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND OTHER UNITS OF THE STATE
GOVERNMENT AND ANY SUCH BODIES CREATED BY THE STATE;
AND