2646

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

No. 19

later than February 1, 1977; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be sent to
the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the
Speaker of the House of Delegates.

Approved April 13, 1976.

No. 20

(Senate Joint Resolution No. 65)

A Senate Joint Resolution concerning

Garrett County — Department of Natural Resources
Land Ownership

FOR the purpose of requesting the Secretary of Natural
Resources to conduct a study of the Department's
land ownership in Garrett County for certain
evaluation purposes and for certain consolidation
purposes; providing for a report to be made on a
certain date and generally relating to the
Department of Natural Resources and land ownership
in Garrett County.

WHEREAS, The Department of Natural Resources
administers 76,243 acres in Garrett County, comprising 18
percent of that County's land area; and

WHEREAS, These lands are contained in 11
administrative areas including 3 State Forests, 6 State
Parks, 1 Wildlife Management Area, and 1 Fisheries
Management Area; and

WHEREAS, Present authorization is for expansion of
these areas by 12,411 acres, which would bring the total
acreage to 88,654 acres comprising 21 percent of the
County; and

WHEREAS, Much of this land was transferred to the
State by the Federal Government, which had acquired the
land during the Depression to assist impoverished
landowners; and

WHEREAS, As a result, the Department of Natural
Resources lands do not always comprise logical management
units, having irregular boundaries, isolated parcels,
private inholdings, and limited access; and

WHEREAS, This disjointed ownership increases
management costs and problems, and limits public use and
enjoyment of these lands; and