2196                                   LAWS OF MARYLAND                                Ch. 240

POLLUTION OF THE WATERS OF THIS STATE.

(B)  PUBLIC POLICY.

BECAUSE THE QUALITY OF THE WATERS OF THIS STATE IS
VITAL TO THE INTERESTS OF THE CITIZENS OF THIS STATE,
BECAUSE POLLUTION IS A MENACE TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE,
CREATES PUBLIC NUISANCES, HARMS WILDLIFE, FISH, AND AQUATIC
LIFE, AND IMPAIRS DOMESTIC, AGRICULTURAL, INDUSTRIAL,
RECREATIONAL, AND OTHER LEGITIMATE BENEFICIAL USES OF WATER,
AND BECAUSE THE PROBLEM OF WATER POLLUTION IN THIS STATE IS
CLOSELY RELATED TO THE PROBLEM OF WATER POLLUTION IN
ADJOINING STATES, IT IS THE POLICY OF THIS STATE:

(1) TO IMPROVE, CONSERVE, AND MANAGE THE QUALITY
OF THE WATERS OF THIS STATE;

(2) TO PROTECT, MAINTAIN, AND IMPROVE THE
QUALITY OF WATER FOR PUBLIC SUPPLIES, PROPAGATION OF
WILDLIFE, FISH, AND AQUATIC LIFE, AND DOMESTIC,
AGRICULTURAL, INDUSTRIAL, RECREATIONAL, AND OTHER LEGITIMATE
BENEFICIAL USES;

(3) TO PROVIDE THAT NO WASTE IS DISCHARGED INTO
ANY WATERS OF THIS STATE WITHOUT FIRST RECEIVING NECESSARY
TREATMENT OR OTHER CORRECTIVE ACTION TO PROTECT THE
LEGITIMATE BENEFICIAL USES OF THE WATERS OF THIS STATE; AND

(4)  THROUGH INNOVATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE METHODS
OF WASTE AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT, TO PROVIDE AND PROMOTE
PREVENTION, ABATEMENT, AND CONTROL OF NEW OR EXISTING WATER
POLLUTION.

(C)  DEPARTMENT TO CARRY OUT OBJECTIVES.

THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COOPERATE WITH AGENCIES OF OTHER
STATES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN CARRYING OUT THE
OBJECTIVES OF SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language in part
patterned after the third sentence of NR § 8-1403
and derived in part from former NR § 8-1402, as
that section applied to the Department.

9-303. CONSTRUCTION.

THIS SUBTITLE DOES NOT TAKE AWAY THE RIGHT OF ANY
PERSON, AS A RIPARIAN OWNER OR OTHERWISE, IN EQUITY, AT
COMMON LAW, OR UNDER STATUTORY LAW TO SUPPRESS A NUISANCE OR
ABATE POLLUTION.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language patterned
after the fourth sentence of NR § 8-1403.

9-304. RESERVED.