Ch. 306                   LAWS OF MARYLAND

the Department indicating that the activities are in conformity
with the prescribed rules and regulations.

(c) Whenever there occurs in the waters of the State any
condition indicative of damage to aquatic resources, including,
but not limited to, mortality of fish and other aquatic life, the
Department shall investigate the incident, determine the nature
and extent of the damage, and establish the cause and source of
the occurrence. The Department shall act on these findings and
require repair, of any damage done and restoration of water
resources to a degree necessary to protect the best interest of
the people of the State. Any person who is determined to be
responsible for the discharge or spillage of any such substance
shall be personally and/or severally responsible to immediately
clean up and abate the effects of the spillage and restore the
natural resources of the State. If the Department believes
instituting suit is advisable, it shall turn over to the Attorney
General all pertinent information and data. The Attorney General
then shall file suit against the person causing the condition.
The person shall be jointly and severally liable for the
reasonable cost of rehabilitation and restoration of the
resources damaged and the cost of eliminating the condition
causing the damage, including the environmental monetary value of
such resources as established by regulation.

[8-1406] 4-406.

The Maryland Port Administration is responsible for
developing a program, including training, to enable the State to
respond to an emergency oil spillage in the Baltimore Harbor area
and the Department of [Natural Resources] THE ENVIRONMENT is
responsible for developing a similar program in other waters of
the State. These units shall coordinate efforts of the various
State and local units aiding in the operation and may request the
aid of any appropriate federal agency if necessary.

[8-1407] 4-407.

(a) Except for a vessel carrying or receiving 25 barrels or
less of oil, any vessel, whether or not self-propelled, in or
entering upon the waters of the state to discharge or receive a
cargo of any bulk oil in the State shall post a bond of $100 per
gross ton of vessel with either the Maryland Port Administration
or the Department of [Natural Resources] THE ENVIRONMENT. The
bond shall be in a form approved by the Administration and the
Department and may be obtained individually or jointly by the
vessel, its owner or agent, its charterer, or the owner or
operator of the terminal at which the vessel discharges or
receives the bulk oil. If the Maryland Port Administration or the
Department of [Natural Resources] THE ENVIRONMENT determines oil
has been discharged or spilled into the waters of the State from
the vessel, the bond shall be forfeited, to the extent of the
costs incurred by these units to eliminate the residue of oil

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