Ch. 450

LAWS OF MARYLAND

WHEREAS, As of October 31, 1986, the total accumulated
unencumbered balances of the acquisition only portion of the
subdivisions' shares of open space funds were significantly

higher than the unencumbered balances on the

acquisition/development portions- of the subdivisions' shares of
open space funds; and

WHEREAS, A 1986 legislatively mandated study of Program Open
Space by the Department of Fiscal Services focused on the local
aggregate acquisition goals contained in their respective
recreation and parks master plans and found that (1) the
aggregate open space land acquisition goals of Maryland's
subdivisions exceed the State's suggested minimum aggregate local
land acquisition goal by approximately 29%; (2) 18 of Maryland's
23 subdivisions and Baltimore City have developed land acreage
goals that exceed those recommended minimum acreage goals set
forth under the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan; and
(3) three subdivisions have acquired not only more acreage than
recommended by the Department of State Planning but also more
acreage than set forth in their respective land use master plans;
and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Act not to undermine the
original intent of Program Open Space which has been primarily to
acquire conservation and scenic open space in Maryland prior to
the permanent forfeiture of such land because of unaffordable
price escalation and development, but to enable those
subdivisions which have adhered to this policy as evidenced by
their current local recreation and parks master plan to benefit
via greater flexibility in the use of their annual apportionment
of open space funds; and

WHEREAS, It is also the intent of this Act that those
subdivisions which, may qualify for an alternative use of their
annual apportionment of open space funds under the provisions
authorized herein are to make every possible effort to (1)
continue acquiring open space land within their jurisdictions for
conservational/recreational purposes consistent with the intent
of Maryland's Consolidated State Land Preservation Policy
(adopted by the General Assembly's two budget committees) which

 emphasizes that areas of the State eminently threatened by urban

 expansion and low density residential development should receive
the highest priority in terms of preservation; and (2) maintain
land acquisition goals that equal or exceed the recommended
acreage goal developed for that subdivision under the State
Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan; and

WHEREAS, The development, modification, and administration
of local recreation and parks master plans are to be coordinated
with the local governing bodies to ensure that the intent
expressed herein is faithfully executed; now, therefore,

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