3460

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 847

(2)  THE PRESENCE OF RARE, THREATENED, OR ENDANGERED
PLANTS OR ANIMALS OR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES OF PLANTS OR ANIMALS;

(3)  THE THREAT TO THE LAND BY DEVELOPMENT;

(4)  WHETHER THE LAND IS IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
CRITICAL AREA;

(5)  WHETHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAND WILL ADVERSELY
IMPACT WATER QUALITY OR UNIQUE NATURAL HABITAT;

(6)  WHETHER A NATURAL AREA HAS BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE
STATE OR SUBMITTED BY A COUNTY FOR DESIGNATION AS AN AREA OF
CRITICAL STATE CONCERN UNDER § 5-611 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND
PROCUREMENT ARTICLE; AND

(7)  WHETHER THE LAND IS FORESTLAND, NONTIDAL
WETLANDS, OR TIDAL WETLANDS.

(C) TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE WITH AVAILABLE FUNDING, THE

DEPARTMENT SHALL MAKE GRANTS ANNUALLY TO THE MARYLAND

AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROTECTING
PRIME AGRICULTURAL LANDS THREATENED BY DEVELOPMENT.

(D) (C) THE DEPARTMENT ANNUALLY SHALL CONSULT WITH THE
COUNTIES OF THE STATE:

(1)  FOR SUGGESTED ACQUISITION OF LANDS; AND

(2)  TO COORDINATE THE ACQUISITION PROJECTS UNDER THIS
SUBTITLE.

5-1504.

(A)  THE DEPARTMENT SHALL MANAGE LAND OR INTERESTS IN LAND
ACQUIRED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE TO ASSURE:

(1)  THE CONTINUED EXISTENCE OF ANY UNIQUE ECOLOGICAL

FEATURES;

(2)  THE CONTINUED SURVIVAL OF ANY RARE, THREATENED,
OR ENDANGERED PLANT OR ANIMAL;

(3)  THE PROTECTION OF FORESTLANDS AND WETLANDS,
ALTHOUGH TIMBER HARVESTING MAY BE ALLOWED UNDER AN APPROVED
FOREST CONSERVATION PLAN; AND

(4)  THE PROTECTION OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ITS
TRIBUTARIES AND OF WATER QUALITY ANYWHERE IN THE STATE; AND .

(5) THE PRESERVATION OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS.

(B)  TO THE EXTENT COMPATIBLE WITH THE MANAGEMENT
REQUIREMENTS OF SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION, THE DEPARTMENT