3074

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 805

has acquired or is acquiring by purchase or by procedures
other than the declaration of taking method one-half or more
of the several takings needed for the construction project
therein involved. As used in this section, water supply,
sewerage or drainage project extention or construction
includes any water main, sewer, drain or appurtenance of
such main, sewer or drain, fire hydrants, reservoirs, water
purification plant, tanks, pumping stations and sewage
disposal plants. The declaration of taking shall contain a
description of the land or interest in land being taken,
shall name the commission as plaintiff and the owner or
owners of the land or interests therein as defendants, as in
the usual condemnation proceedings, and if the petition for
condemnation is not on file or filed simultaneously
therewith the declaration of taking shall be docketed as a
law case by the clerk of the circuit court, the same as
condemnation proceedings are docketed. Notice of and
service on the owner or owners of the declaration of taking
shall be accomplished in the same manner as is provided for
petitions for condemnation. The declaration of taking shall
identify the qualified appraiser and specify the estimated
valuation required by subsection (a). The date of filing
the declaration of taking, accompanied by the payment
required hereunder, shall in any subsequent proceeding
thereon be the operative date of such taking with respect to
the determination of the fair value of the land or interest
therein taken and damages, if any, occasioned by the taking.

2-2. Repealed by Acts 1977, ch. 287, § 1.

3-1. Surveys, etc., for water, sewerage and drainage
systems.

As soon after organization as possible, [said] THE
commission shall cause surveys, plans, specifications and
estimates to be made for water supply, sewerage and drainage
systems in those portions of the sanitary district in which,
in its judgment, such systems, or any of them, are
necessary, and shall divide such territory into water,
sewerage or drainage districts in such a way as shall, in
its judgment, best serve the needs of the various
communities and shall promote convenience and economy of
installation and operation; provided however, that on and
after June 30, 1968 except as otherwise provided herein the
commission shall restrict such drainage system activities
relating to drainage systems and districts to Prince
George's County and the City of Takoma Park.

That [said] THE commission may thereafter proceed with
such construction in any of [said] THE districts as in its
judgment it deems advisable, but that wherever such
construction is upon the motion of the commission without
petition or request from any party interested, [said] THE
commission may give such reasonable notice as it deems
advisable; provided that on and after June 30, 1968 except
as otherwise provided herein, the above section insofar as
it applies to the power and authority granted to the