470                                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                                 [Ch.

(D) "STATE AGENCIES" INCLUDES THE EXECUTIVE AND
ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS, OFFICES, BOARDS,
COMMISSIONS, AND OTHER UNITS OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT
AND ANY SUCH BODIES CREATED BY THE STATE.

1-302. DECLARATION OF POLICY.

(A) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND FINDS AND
DECLARES THE FACTS AND POLICIES SET FORTH IN THIS
SECTION.

(E) THE PROTECTION, PRESERVATION, AND
ENHANCEMENT OF THE STATE'S DIVERSE ENVIRONMENT IS
NECESSARY FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND
WELFARE AND THE CONTINUED VIABILITY OF THE ECONOMY OF
THE STATE AND IS A MATTER OF THE HIGHEST PUBLIC
PRIORITY;

(C)    ALL STATE AGENCIES MUST CONDUCT THEIR
AFFAIRS WITH AN AWARENESS THAT THEY ARE STEWARDS OF
THE AIR, LANE, WATER, AND LIVING RESOURCES, AND THAT
THEY HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT FOR
THE USE AND ENJOYMENT OF THIS AND ALL FUTURE
GENERATIONS;

(D)    EACH PERSON HAS A FUNDAMENTAL AND
INALIENABLE RIGHT TO A HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT, AND EACH
PERSON HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE
PROTECTION, PRESERVATION, AND ENHANCEMENT OF THE
ENVIRONMENT;

(E)    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.

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

(G)   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;