WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                   Ch. 234

(3) THE JOINT COMMITTEE MAY STUDY AND MAKE

RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE ON ANY OTHER

AREA OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY CRITICAL AREA PROTECTION PROGRAM IT
CONSIDERS APPROPRIATE.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That:

(a)  The Joint Committee on Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas
shall meet with the Critical Areas Commission, representatives of
counties and municipalities having land within the critical
areas, and any other interested parties to study and determine:

(1)  Whether adequate flexibility exists under the
current criteria to meet the special characteristics and needs of
the individual counties and municipalities having land within the
critical areas;

(2)  Whether the current timetable for review of
approved local critical area protection programs is adequate to
meet the special characteristics and needs of the individual
counties and municipalities having land within the critical
areas; and

(3)  Whether the criteria need to be strengthened in
any area so as to make the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area
Protection Program more effective in the protection of the water
quality and habitat of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

(b)  The Joint Committee shall study and determine the
appropriate future role of the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area
Commission, including:

(1)  Whether the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area
Commission should remain an autonomous organization or be
incorporated into an existing executive agency;

(2)  How long the current oversight role of the
Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission should continue; and

(3)  Whether the current appeal process is the most
effective appeal process to meet the goals of the Chesapeake Bay
Critical Area Protection Law.

(c) The Joint Committee may also study any other area of
the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Protection Program it considers
appropriate.

(d) (c) The Joint Committee shall report its preliminary
findings and recommendations to the Legislative Policy Committee
on or before January 1, 1989.

- 2347 -