MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                           3841

(Senate Joint Resolution 55)

A Senate Joint Resolution concerning

Program Open Space

FOR the purpose of urging the County Executive and County
Council of Baltimore to thoroughly review the
procedures of Baltimore County in acquiring and
developing open space and recreational facilities
utilizing its apportionment of Program Open Space
funds and to take the necessary steps to expedite
submission of eligible open space and recreation
projects to the Department of Natural Resources for
funding.

WHEREAS, The General Assembly has established a
program to finance the acquisition of land and the
development of land by the State and its subdivisions for
outdoor public recreational and open space purposes, this
program being known as "Program Open Space"; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly has declared in
enacting Program Open Space that there is a need "to
accelerate acquisition of open space land and the
development of needed outdoor recreational facilities";
and

WHEREAS, Baltimore County has been allocated
$10,024,291 for acquisition and development of Open Space
projects; and

WHEREAS, Baltimore County has submitted projects to
Program Open Space in the amount of $5,120,358.32; and

WHEREAS, Baltimore County has submitted
reimbursement requests to Program Open Space in the
amount of $781,239.15; and

WHEREAS, Baltimore County is in dire need of open
spaces and recreational facilities which would be
valuable resources in a highly urbanized area; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That
the General Assembly of Maryland urges the County
Executive and County Council of Baltimore County to
review thoroughly the procedures of Baltimore County in
acquiring and developing open space and recreational
facilities utilizing its apportionment of Program Open
Space funds and to take the necessary steps to expedite
submission of eligible open space and recreation projects