Ch. 778                                          LAWS OF MARYLAND

(B)  THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS
ESTABLISHING A SYSTEM BY WHICH PERSONS MAY PERIODICALLY NOMINATE
AREAS BENEATH LANDS OR WATERS OF THE STATE FOR POSSIBLE LEASING
FOR PRODUCTION OR RESERVE OF OIL OR NATURAL GAS.

(C)  THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS MAY NOT ENTER INTO ANY LEASE
UNDER THIS SECTION THAT WOULD PRECLUDE OR INTERFERE WITH THE
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE HARVESTING OF FINFISH OR SHELLFISH.

6-602.

(A) BEFORE THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS MAY SOLICIT BIDS FOR
OR AWARD ANY LEASE FOR PRODUCTION OF OIL OR NATURAL GAS FROM
BENEATH LANDS OR WATERS OF THE STATE, AND AFTER RECEIVING THE
ADVISORY COMMENTS WRITTEN RECOMMENDATION OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
CRITICAL AREA COMMISSION (IF THE LEASED AREA IS LOCATED IN THE
STATE'S CRITICAL AREAS) ANT) THE ADVISORY COMMENTS OF THE
SECRETARIES OF NATURAL RESOURCES, STATE PLANNING, THE
ENVIRONMENT, AND ECONOMIC AND EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT, THE BOARD
OF PUBLIC WORKS SHALL SELECT DIRECT THE SECRETARY OF NATURAL
RESOURCES IN CONSULTATION WITH THE SECRETARIES OF THE
ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMIC AND EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT, AND STATE
PLANNING TO PREPARE A STATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL, FISCAL, AND
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED LEASE.

(C) (B) (1) THE STATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL, FISCAL, AND
ECONOMIC IMPACT SHALL BE PREPARED AND FILED WITHIN 6 MONTHS AFTER
SELECTION OF THE APPROPRIATE PARTY THE DIRECTION OF THE BOARD OF
PUBLIC WORKS. HOWEVER, THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS MAY EXTEND THIS
TIME LIMIT FOR NOT MORE THAN AN ADDITIONAL 12 MONTHS FOR GOOD
CAUSE.

(2)  THE STATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL, FISCAL, AND
ECONOMIC IMPACT AND ANY WRITTEN BACKGROUND AND SUPPORTING
MATERIAL SHALL BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION.

(3)  THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS SHALL PROVIDE BY
REGULATION FOR RECOVERY BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
FROM BIDDERS OR LESSEES, AS APPROPRIATE, OF THE COSTS OF
PREPARING A STATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL, FISCAL, AND ECONOMIC
IMPACT.

(D) (C) THE STATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL, FISCAL, AND
ECONOMIC IMPACT SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

(1) AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBABLE DELETERIOUS EFFECTS
OF THE PROPOSED DRILLING OPERATION AND PRODUCTION FACILITIES,
INCLUDING THE PROBABILITIES AND CONSEQUENCES OF ACCIDENTAL
DISCHARGE OF OIL OR GAS TO THE ENVIRONMENT DURING DRILLING,
PRODUCTION, AND TRANSPORTATION, ON:

(I) FINFISH, SHELLFISH, AND OTHER MARINE OR
FRESHWATER ORGANISMS;

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