WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                   Ch. 551

There is a Waterway Improvement Fund for the purposes
specified in this subtitle. Except as provided in § 8-709, any
money received into the Waterway Improvement Fund shall be used
solely for the following projects:

(1)  Marking channels and harbors, and establishing
aids to navigation in cooperation with and as an extension of
operations of the United States Coast Guard;

(2)  Clearing debris, aquatic vegetation, and
obstruction from waters of the State;

(3)  Dredging channels and harbors and construction of
jetties and breakwaters in cooperation with and as an extension
of operations of the United States Army Corps of Engineers;

(4)  Constructing marine facilities beneficial to the
boating public;

(5)  Improvement, reconstruction, or removal of
bridges, drawbridges, or similar structures over or across
waters, if those structures delay, impede, or obstruct the
boating public. With the approval of the Board of Public Works,
funds from another public or any private source may be received
and used to supplement and increase the funds in the Waterway
Improvement Fund for the purpose of this subsection. Also, the
Board of Public Works may enter into an agreement with a private
company or person which owns such a structure, for the
improvement, reconstruction, or removal of the structure, in
order to provide a sharing of the cost of the improvement,
reconstruction, or removal;

(6)  Evaluation of water-oriented recreation needs and
recreational capacities of Maryland waterways, and development of
comprehensive plans for waterway improvements; [and]

(7)  To provide matching grants to local governments
for the construction of marine facilities for marine
firefighting, marine police or medical services, and for the
acquisition of vessels, and equipment for vessels for marine
firefighting, police, medical, and communication equipment for
promoting safety of life and property and general service to the
boating public utilizing the waters of the State. The ownership,
operation, and maintenance of any equipment acquired under this
subtitle shall be the responsibility of the local governing body;
AND

(8)  TO PROVIDE INTEREST-FREE LOANS TO ANY A GOVERNING
BODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF A RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OWNER, OR GROUP OF
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OWNERS, WITH LAND ABUTTING A CHANNEL
ADJACENT TO A MAIN CHANNEL OR HARBOR, WHOSE PROPERTY HAS BEEN
INCLUDED IN A WATERWAY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BY THE GOVERNING
BODY, FOR DREDGING THE ADJACENT CHANNEL.

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