2170

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 620

(A)  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECLARES THAT IT IS IN THE GENERAL
PUBLIC INTEREST OF THE STATE TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE THE
DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT, AND PROTECTION OF THE NONINDUSTRIAL
PRIVATE WOODLANDS OF THE STATE AS THESE LANDS PROVIDE:

(1)  SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL, AESTHETIC, AND
WILDLIFE BENEFITS; AND

(2)  FOR THE PRODUCTION OF TIMBER AND FOREST RESOURCES
ESSENTIAL TO COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY IN THE STATE.

(B)  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT:

(1)  THE GROWING DEMANDS ON WOODLANDS AND RELATED LAND
RESOURCES CANNOT BE MET BY INTENSIVE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC LANDS
AND INDUSTRIAL FORESTS ALONE;

(2)  NONINDUSTRIAL PRIVATE WOODLANDS OF THE STATE ARE
A SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF THE PRODUCTION OF TIMBER AND OTHER FOREST
RESOURCES; AND

(3)  UNLESS MEASURES ARE INSTITUTED TO ENCOURAGE
LANDOWNERS TO APPLY PRACTICES TO ENSURE THE DEVELOPMENT,
MANAGEMENT, AND PROTECTION OF NONINDUSTRIAL PRIVATE WOODLANDS,
THIS NATURAL RESOURCE WILL NOT BE SUSTAINED WITH A CONSEQUENT
DETRIMENT TO THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE.

(C)  IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PROVIDE
INCENTIVES TO ELIGIBLE LANDOWNERS:

(1)  TO APPLY PRACTICES THAT PROVIDE FOR:

(I)  AFFORESTATION OF SUITABLE OPEN LANDS;

(II)  REFORESTATION OF CUTOVER OR OTHER
NONSTOCKED OR OVERSTOCKED WOODLANDS;

(III)  TIMBER STAND IMPROVEMENT PRACTICES,
INCLUDING THINNING, PRESCRIBED BURNING, AND OTHER SILVICULTURAL
TREATMENTS; AND

(IV)  FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND
PROTECTION; AND

(2)  TO PROVIDE FOR THE NONINDUSTRIAL PRIVATE WOODLAND
PRODUCTION OF TIMBER AND OTHER RELATED FOREST RESOURCES.

5-303.

(A)  THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A WOODLAND
INCENTIVES PROGRAM TO ASSIST ELIGIBLE LANDOWNERS IN CONDUCTING A
PROGRAM OF WOODLAND MANAGEMENT.

(B)  (1) THE SECRETARY SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS TO CARRY OUT
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE.