WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor Ch. 610

government to consult with the Department concerning certain
cutting and replacement activities in forest areas;
generally relating to the cutting and replacement of trees
in certain areas by a unit of State government; and
generally relating to the Reforestation Fund.

BY adding to

Article - Natural Resources

Section 5-103

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1983 Replacement Volume and 1986 Supplement)

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

Article - Natural Resources

5-103.

(A)  (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE
MEANINGS INDICATED.

(2)  (I) "FOREST" MEANS A BIOLOGICAL COMMUNITY
DOMINATED BY TREES AND OTHER WOODY PLANTS COVERING A LAND AREA OF
1 ACRE OR MORE.

(II) "FOREST" INCLUDES AN AREA THAT HAS BEEN
CUT BUT NOT CLEARED OF TREES AND OTHER WOODY PLANTS.

(3)  "WATERSHED" MEANS ALL LANDS LYING WITHIN AN AREA
DESCRIBED AS A SUBBASIN IN WATER QUALITY REGULATIONS ADOPTED BY
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE.

(B)   TO ACCOMPLISH A CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY INVOLVING LAND
CLEARING, A UNIT OF STATE GOVERNMENT:

(1)  MAY CUT OR CLEAR ONLY THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF TREES
AND OTHER WOODY PLANTS NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH A CONSTRUCTION
ACTIVITY INVOLVING LAND CLEARING THAT ARE NECESSARY AND
CONSISTENT WITH SOUND DESIGN PRACTICES; AND

(2)  SHALL MAKE EVERY REASONABLE EFFORT TO MINIMIZE
THE CUTTING OR CLEARING OF TREES AND OTHER WOODY PLANTS.

(C) IF THE TOTAL AREA OF FOREST CUT OR CLEARED IN

CONNECTION WITH A CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY BY A UNIT OF STATE
GOVERNMENT EQUALS 1 ACRE OR MORE, A UNIT OF STATE GOVERNMENT
SHALL ESTABLISH AT ITS OWN EXPENSE, AN EQUIVALENT AREA OF FOREST
ON LAND THAT:

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