2790                                          LAWS OF MARYLAND                      [Ch. 841

5-209.

(b) The Secretary shall promulgate rules and
regulations regarding EQUIPMENT STANDARDS AND the
operation of off—road vehicles BY TYPE, as defined in
§10-410(d) of this article, on property owned or
controlled by the department. ([By January 1, [[1975]]

1976]], HE SHALL CONDUCT APPROPRIATE STUDIES AND, BY

JANUARY 1, 1975 he [[shall]] [[MAY AS HE DEEMS

APPROPRIATE]] SHALL designate and identify [[adequate]]
areas for use by the general public for operation of
[motorcycles and] MOTORCYCLES, snowmobiles AND OTHER
OFF-ROAD VEHICLES on that property EXCLUSIVE OF WILDLIFE

MANAGEMENT AREAS OR STATE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AREAS TO

THE EXTENT SUCH USE IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE CHARACTER AND

ESTABLISHED USES OF PROPERTY CONTROLLED BY THE

DEPARTMENT. PRIOR TO MARCH 31, 1976, EVERY OFF-ROAD
VEHICLE TO BE USED ON DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

LANDS SHALL BE REGISTERED AND___PROVIDED SUITABLE

IDENTIFICATION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES,

WHICH SHALL CHARGE AN ANNUAL UNIFORM FEE FOR ALL

REGISTRANTS, REVENUES DERIVED FROM WHICH SHALL BE USED TO
ACQUIRE AND MAINTAIN AREAS FOR OFF-ROAD VEHICLE USE BY
THE GENERAL PUBLIC. ANY PROPERTY TO BE ACQUIRED OR
DESIGNATED FOR OFF-ROAD VEHICLE USE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO A
PUBLIC HEARING HELD IN THE COUNTY OR COUNTIES WHEREIN THE
PROPERTY IS SITUATED. However, no off-road vehicle may
be permitted [[IN STATE PARKS, STATE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
AREAS OR STATE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AREAS: NOR MAY ANY
OFF-ROAD VEHICLE BE PERMITTED ON ANY OTHER STATE-OWNED
LAND]] where its operation will damage the wildland
character of the property or where the noise from its
operation will be audible at or interfere with the use of
a picnic or camping area open to public use.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1974.

Approved Nay 31, 1974.

CHAPTER 842
(House Bill 1712)
AN ACT concerning

Environmental Research — Reimbursement of Electric

Companies

FOR the purpose of requiring electric companies to