3966

VETOES

Article - Natural Resources

5-207.

(a) (1) The Department may purchase and manage lands in the
name of the State, suitable for forest culture, reserves,
watershed protection, State parks, scenic preserves, historic
monuments, parkways, and State recreational reserves, using for
these purposes any special appropriation or surplus money not
otherwise appropriated, which is standing to the credit of the
Forest Reserve or Park Reserve Fund. However, an individual tract
of land in excess of 100 acres may not be purchased in Garrett
County, except with the approval of the county commissioners of
that county. The Department may accept any gift of land in the
name of the State to be held, protected, and administered by the
Department as State parks, forests, or other reserves, and used

WHEREAS, Garrett County has a low population with 26,498
residents according to the 1980 census; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, Garrett County has a declining tax
base because of the ownership of a large amount of land in
Garrett County by the State of Maryland, which in 1980 amounted
to 73,236 acres in the following areas:

Area

Acreage

Garrett State Forest 6,824

Potomac State Forest 10,686

Savage River State Forest 52,811

Big Run State Park 300

Casselman Bridge State Park 4

Deep Creek Lake State Park 1,776

Herrington Manor State Park 365

New Germany State Park 213

Swallow Falls State Park 257 Total acreage 73,236; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the provisions of § 5-207 (a) of the
Natural Resources Article and Section 11T of Chapter 403 of the
Acts of the General Assembly of 1969, as amended by Chapter 679
of the Acts of the General Assembly of 1983 the General Assembly
intends this Act to prevent the State from using any funds to
acquire any additional land in Garrett County, whether those
funds are from Program Open Space or otherwise; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: