2988                                    JOINT RESOLUTIONS

namely, the protection of the valuable wetland areas; and

WHEREAS, The Act authorizes the Secretary of
Agriculture to enter into ten year agreements with
landowners and operators for protection of specified
wetlands, effective July 1, 1971; and

WHEREAS, There is a clause allowing renewal for
additional ten year periods; and

WHEREAS, The Secretary will reimburse, according to
a payment schedule he establishes, those owners and
operators that agree not to burn, drain, fill, or
otherwise destroy the wetlands areas, and not use such
areas for agricultural purposes; and

WHEREAS, The rate may be increased if the owners or
operators agree to permit, without other compensation,
public access for hunting, trapping, fishing, and hiking;
and

WHEREAS, The Secretary is authorized to share the
cost of establishing and maintaining conservation and
development practices on the wetlands and adjacent areas;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That
the Department of Natural Resources is requested to apply
for admission to the Federal Water Bank Program; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to
the Honorable James B. Coulter, Secretary of the
Department of Natural Resources, Tawes State Office
Building, Annapolis, Maryland, 21404.

Approved March 2 8, 1974.

No. 7

(House Joint Resolution 22)
A House Joint Resolution concerning

Amendment of the Federal Water Bank Program

FOR the purpose of requesting the Maryland Congressional
Delegation to amend the Federal Water Bank Act to
include inland fresh wetlands.

WHEREAS, The Water Bank Act of 1970 provides Federal
legislation in an area of prime interest to Maryland,