WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                   Ch. 665

WHEREAS, The State of Maryland is dedicated to maintaining a
high quality of life for its residents; and

WHEREAS, Many counties in the State are experiencing
substantial growth in population, employment, and economic
development; and

WHEREAS, Transportation services should be improved to
provide the public with efficient transportation connecting
locations within the State; and

WHEREAS, The Maryland Department of Transportation, together

with local governments, is responsible for operating and

improving transit systems and coordinating transit services
statewide; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Natural Resources is responsible
for the acquisition of open spaces and areas for recreational
uses; and

WHEREAS, The State should study whether the many existing
railroad rights-of-way may be developed for use as light rail
transportation lines and as bicycle and hiking multirecreational
use trails; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That:

(a) The Maryland Department of Transportation and the
Department of Natural Resources shall conduct a study to identify
existing rail rights-of-way within the State, and to provide the
information to the Department of Natural Resources. The
Department of Natural Resources shall determine what measures
would be necessary for the State to acquire rights-of-way which
are not needed for transportation purposes, for future
transportation and recreation needs.

(b) The Department of Transportation and its Mass Transit
Administration shall study the possible development of light rail
transportation within existing railroad rights of way throughout
the State.

(c) (b) The Department of Transportation and the Department
of Natural Resources shall study the possible development of a
statewide network of bicycle and hiking multirecreational use
trails utilizing existing railroad rights-of-way.

(d) (c) The Department of Transportation and the Department
of Natural Resources shall report to the General Assembly on the
results of the studies required by this Act on or before December
1, 1988 1989.

- 4517 -