Ch. 441

LAWS OF MARYLAND

WHEREAS, Those opportunities should serve to provide a broad
range of recreational activities, as well as to enhance the
public's appreciation of the Chesapeake Bay; and

WHEREAS, To achieve those goals, this Act intends to provide
an overall policy for the provision of shorefront access to the
Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries; now, therefore,

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

Article - Natural Resources

8-205.

(A)  THE DEPARTMENT IS THE UNIT OF STATE GOVERNMENT THAT
COORDINATES PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ITS
TRIBUTARIES.

(B)  THE DEPARTMENT SHALL:

(1)  IDENTIFY AND DESIGNATE AREAS FOR PUBLIC ACCESS TO
THE WATERS OF THE STATE IN EACH COUNTY THAT IS LOCATED ON THE
TIDAL WATERS OF THE STATE;

(2)  COORDINATE WITH LOCAL AND STATE AGENCY AGENCIES
RESPONSIBILITIES RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING, PURCHASING,
DEVELOPING, AND MAINTAINING ACCESS AREAS;

(3)  MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO GUIDE PUBLIC AGENCIES IN
THE IDENTIFICATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND MANAGEMENT OF ACCESS AREAS;
AND

(4)  SERVE AS A REPOSITORY FOR ALL INFORMATION AND
INVENTORIES CONCERNING SHOREFRONT ACCESS.

(C)  (1) THIS SECTION MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED TO EXPAND THE
AUTHORITY THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS ON JULY 1, 1988 TO REQUIRE OR
PROMOTE CONDEMNATION OF REAL PROPERTY ALONG THE BIG BLACKWATER
RIVER AND THE LITTLE BLACKWATER RIVER.

(2) THE STATE MAY NOT ACQUIRE BY EMINENT DOMAIN REAL
PROPERTY ALONG THE BIG BLACKWATER RIVER OR THE LITTLE BLACKWATER
RIVER WITHOUT FIRST MOVING THAT THE ACQUISITION IS NECESSARY TO
PRESERVE THE NATURAL QUALITIES AND UNPOLLUTED STATE OF THE BIG
BLACKWATER RIVER AND THE LITTLE BLACKWATER RIVER.------------------

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1988.

Approved May 17, 1988.

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