BLAIR LEE III, Acting Governor

1427

CHAPTER 341

(House Bill 512)

AN ACT concerning

Caves

FOR the purpose of setting forth regulations regarding the
use of caves; defining certain terns; prohibiting
certain actions; allowing for permits under certain
circumstances; and providing penalties for certain
violations.

BY adding to

Article - Natural Resources

Section 5-1401 through 5-1406, inclusive, to be under

the new subtitle "Subtitle 14. Caves"
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1974 Volume and 1977 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

Article — Natural Resources

SUBTITLE 14. CAVES

5-1401.

(A)    IN THIS SUBTITLE, THE FOLLOWING TERMS HAVE THE
MEANINGS INDICATED.

(B)    "CAVE" MEANS ANY NATURALLY OCCURRING VOID,
CAVITY, RECESS, OR SYSTEM OF INTERCONNECTING PASSAGES
BENEATH THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH OR WITHIN A CLIFF OR LEDGE,
INCLUDING NATURAL SUBSURFACE WATER AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS.
THE WORD "CAVE" INCLUDES OR IS SYNONYMOUS WITH CAVERN, PIT,
POTHOLE, SINKHOLE, GROTTO, AND ROCK SHELTER.

(C)    "COMMERCIAL CAVE"   MEANS ANY CAVE WITH IMPROVED
TRAILS AND LIGHTING UTILIZED   BY THE OWNER FOR THE PURPOSE OF
EXHIBITION TO THE GENERAL   PUBLIC AS A PROFIT OR NONPROFIT
ENTERPRISE, WHEREIN A FEE IS   COLLECTED FOR ENTRY.

(D)    "GATE" MEANS ANY STRUCTURE OR DEVICE LOCATED TO
LIMIT OR PROHIBIT ACCESS OR ENTRY TO ANY CAVE.

(E) "PERSON OR PERSONS" MEANS ANY INDIVIDUAL,
PARTNERSHIP, FIRM, ASSOCIATION, TRUST, OR CORPORATION.

(F) "SPELEOTHEM" MEANS A NATURAL SECONDARY MINERAL
FORMATION OR DEPOSIT OCCURRING IN A CAVE. THIS INCLUDES OR
IS SYNONYMOUS WITH STALAGMITES, STALACTITES, HELECTITES,
ANTHODITES, GYPSUM FLOWERS, NEEDLES, ANGEL'S HAIR, SODA