MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                                     471

(H) ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF PROPOSED
ACTIONS CAN BE ANTICIPATED, MINIMIZED, AND OFTEN
ELIMINATED IF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATIONS ARE MADE A
PART OF THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES OF THE STATE.

(1)   ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS REPORTS CAN FACILITATE
THE FULLEST PRACTICABLE PROVISION OF TIMELY PUBLIC
INFORMATION, UNDERSTANDING, AND PARTICIPATION IN THE
DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES OF THE STATE;

(J) 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

(K) 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.

1-303. RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF STATE AGENCIES.

ALL STATE AGENCIES, EXCEPT WHERE EXISTING LAW
EXPRESSLY PROHIBITS, SHALL IDENTIFY, DEVELOP, AND
ADOPT METHODS AND PROCEDURES THAT WILL ASSURE THAT:

(1) ENVIRONMENTAL AMENITIES AND VALUES ARE GIVEN
APPROPRIATE CONSIDERATION IN PLANNING AND
DECISION-MAKING ALONG WITH ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL
CONSIDERATIONS;

(2)     STUDIES ARE UNDERTAKEN TO DEVELOP AND
DESCRIBE APPROPRIATE ALTERNATIVES TO PRESENT POLICIES,
PROGRAMS, AND PROCEDURES THAT INVOLVE SIGNIFICANT
ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OR UNRESOLVED CONFLICTS
CONCERNING OSES OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES; AND

(3)    PLANNING AND DECISION-MAKING INVOLVING
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ARE UNDERTAKEN WITH THE FULLEST
PRACTICABLE PROVISION OF TIMELY PUBLIC INFORMATION AND
UNDERSTANDING AND IN COORDINATION WITH PUBLIC AND
PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH
JURISDICTION BY LAW, SPECIAL EXPERTISE, OR RECOGNIZED
INTEREST.

1-304. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS REPORTS.

(A) AS OF JULY 1, 1974, ALL STATE AGENCIES SHALL
PREPARE, IN CONJUNCTION WITH EACH PROPOSED STATE
ACTION SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTING THE QUALITY OF THE