792                                        LAWS OF MARYLAND                             [ Ch.

as the second sentence of Article 66C,
section 389 of the Code. The only changes
made are in style.

(E) "WOODLANDS OR FOREST LANDS" MEANS ANY LAND
OF AN AREA OF THREE ACRES OR MORE HELD BY THE SAME
OWNER AND PRIMARILY DEVOTED TO THE GROWTH OF FOREST
PRODUCTS.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This subsection presently appears
as the third sentence of Article 66C,
section 389 of the Code. The words "or
owners" are proposed for deletion in light
of Article 1, section 8 of the Code which
provides that reference to the singular is
deemed to include the plural unless the
context is unreasonable. The only other
changes made are in style.

5-602. POLICY OF STATE.

FORESTS, TIMBERLANDS, WOODLANDS, AND SOIL
RESOURCES OF THE STATE ARE BASIC ASSETS, AND THE
PROPER USE, DEVELOPMENT, AND PRESERVATION OF THESE
RESOURCES ARE NECESSARY TO PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE
HEALTH, SAFETY, AND GENERAL WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE OF
THE STATE. IT IS THE POLICY OF THE STATE TO ENCOURAGE
ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT AND SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT OF ITS
FOREST AND WOODLANDS TO MAINTAIN, CONSERVE, AND
IMPROVE THE SOIL RESOURCES OF THE STATE SO THAT AN
ADEQUATE SOURCE OF FOREST PRODUCTS IS PRESERVED FOR
THE PEOPLE. FLOODS AND SOIL EROSION MUST BE PREVENTED
AND THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE STATE PRESERVED.
WILDLIFE MUST BE PROTECTED, WHILE THE DEVELOPMENT OF
RECREATIONAL INTEREST IS ENCOURAGED AND THE FERTILITY
AND PRODUCTIVITY OF THE SOIL IS MAINTAINED. THE
IMPAIRMENT OF RESERVOIRS AND DAMS MUST BE PREVENTED,
THE TAX RATE PRESERVED, AND THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE
OF THE STATE SUSTAINED AND PROMOTED. WHERE THESE
INTERESTS CAN BE SERVED THROUGH COOPERATIVE EFFORTS OF
PRIVATE FOREST LANDOWNERS, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE
STATE, IT IS THE POLICY OF THE STATE TO ENCOURAGE,
ASSIST, AND GUIDE PRIVATE OWNERSHIP IN THE MANAGEMENT
AND FULLEST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF PRIVATELY OWNED
FOREST LANDS. WHERE THESE PUBLIC INTERESTS CANNOT BE
SERVED AND ADEQUATELY PROTECTED UNDER PRIVATE
OWNERSHIP, IT IS THE POLICY OF THE STATE TO ACQUIRE
CONTROL OF, AND TITLE TO THESE LANDS AS RAPIDLY AS THE
FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF THE STATE PERMIT.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section presently appears as