1022                                        LAWS OF MARYLAND                            [Ch. 4

(B)   RESPONSIBILITY TO SUPERVISE DEVELOPMENT OF
GENERAL WATER RESOURCES PROGRAM.—THE DEPARTMENT SHALL
EXERCISE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT POSSIBLE THE STATE'S
RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS WATER RESOURCES BY PLANNING AND
SUPERVISING MULTIPLE PURPOSE DEVELOPMENT AND
CONSERVATION OF THE WATERS OF THE STATE FOR THE
STATE'S BEST INTERESTS AND BENEFIT. IT SHALL DEVELOP
A GENERAL WATER RESOURCES PROGRAM WHICH CONTEMPLATES
PROPER CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE WATERS OF
THE STATE, IN A MANNER COMPATIBLE WITH MULTIPLE
PURPOSE MANAGEMENT ON A WATERSHED OR AQUIFER BASIS, OR
ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE GEOGRAPHICAL UNIT. THE PROGRAM
SHALL RECOGNIZE AND BE CONSISTENT WITH FUNCTIONS OF
OTHER STATE UNITS. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE GUIDED BY
THE PROGRAM IN THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS DUTIES.

(C)   MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHESAPEAKE   BAY
AND OTHER TIDAL WATERS.—THE DEPARTMENT SHALL      BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT,    AND
CONSERVATION OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ANY OTHER TIDAL
WATERS, INCLUDING THEIR SHORE LINE AND BOTTOM, AND   ANY
RESOURCES ASSOCIATED WITH THESE WATERS. ALSO,      THE
DEPARTMENT MAY:

(1)    PLAN AND DEVELOP PUBLIC RECREATIONAL
FACILITIES IN OR ON THE WATERS OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
AND OTHER TIDAL WATERS;

(2)    ASSIST OTHER STATE UNITS TO PLAN
PUBLIC RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOP THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
AND OTHER TIDAL WATERS;

(3)    COOPERATE WITH OTHER UNITS TO CARRY
OUT MEASURES TO PROTECT TIDAL WATER FRONTS AND
WATERWAYS OF THE STATE AGAINST EROSION AND DEPOSIT;
AND

(4)   ACT FOR THE STATE TO DEVELOP FURTHER
NAVIGATION AIDS AND IMPROVEMENT OF WATERWAYS IN THE
CHESAPEAKE BAY AND OTHER TIDAL WATER AREAS OF THE
STATE.

(D)    SURVEYS, INVESTIGATIONS, AND STUDIES IN
GENERAL; CONTRACTS FOR RESEARCH OR SCIENTIFIC
INVESTIGATION. - THE DEPARTMENT MAY MAKE OR CAUSE TO
BE MADE, SURVEYS, MAPS, INVESTIGATIONS, AND STUDIES OF
WATER RESOURCES OF THE STATE NECESSARY TO PROVIDE
SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO FORMULATE A PROGRAM AND
PERFORM ITS DUTIES. THE DEPARTMENT MAY CONTRACT FOR
RESEARCH OR SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION WITH THE NATURAL
RESOURCES INSTITUTE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, THE