HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3459

THERE IS A HERITAGE CONSERVATION FUND IN THE DEPARTMENT.

5-1502.

(A) THE PURPOSES OF THE HERITAGE CONSERVATION FUND ARE FOR
THE STATE TO ACQUIRE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS OR A FEE SIMPLE OR
OTHER INTERESTS IN:

(1)  FORESTLANDS;

(2)  UNIQUE ECOLOGICAL AREAS OF THE STATE;

(3)  ANY AREA CHARACTERIZED BY SIGNIFICANT NATURAL
SCENIC BEAUTY;

(4)  TIDAL OR NONTIDAL WETLANDS;

(5)  LANDS IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY CRITICAL AREAS, AS
DEFINED UNDER § 8-1807 OF THIS ARTICLE;

(6)  ANY LAND DESIGNATED AS A UNIQUE ECOLOGICAL AREA
UNDER THE NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM IN THE DEPARTMENT;

(7)  ANY WILDERNESS AREA THAT REMAINS RELATIVELY
UNDISTURBED BY HUMAN ENCROACHMENT;

(8)  LANDS SUPPORTING RARE, THREATENED, OR ENDANGERED
PLANTS OR ANIMALS;

(9)  LANDS THAT SUPPORT DIVERSE ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES
OF PLANTS OR ANIMALS;

(10)  ANY LAND WHOSE CONVERSION TO DEVELOPMENT WOULD
SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT WATER QUALITY OR UNIQUE NATURAL HABITAT; AND

(11)  NATURAL AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE
STATE OR SUBMITTED BY A COUNTY FOR DESIGNATION AS AREAS OF
CRITICAL STATE CONCERN UNDER § 5-611 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND
PROCUREMENT ARTICLE.

(B) THE DEPARTMENT MAY USE THE HERITAGE CONSERVATION FUND
TO MAKE GRANTS TO THE MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION FUND.

5-1503.

(A)  THE DEPARTMENT MAY ACQUIRE A CONSERVATION EASEMENT OR A
FEE SIMPLE OR OTHER INTEREST IN ANY LAND DESCRIBED UNDER § 5-1502
OF THIS SUBTITLE.

(B)  THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTABLISH CRITERIA FOR ACQUISITION
OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND OF FEE SIMPLE AND OTHER INTERESTS
IN LANDS, INCLUDING A PRIORITY SYSTEM THAT CONSIDERS:

(1) THE ECOLOGICAL UNIQUENESS OF THE LAND;