WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor Ch. 117

Article IX

This compact shall continue in force and remain binding on
each state ratifying it until the legislature or the Governor of
such state takes action to withdraw therefrom. Such action shall
not be effective until six months after notice thereof has been
sent by the chief executive of the state desiring to withdraw to
the chief executives of all states then parties to the compact.

(b)  When the Governor has executed the compact on behalf of
the State and caused a verified copy to be filed with the
Secretary of State, and when it has been ratified by one or more
of the states named in subsection (a) OF THIS SECTION, then the
compact becomes operative and effective as between this State and
the other state. The Governor may take the necessary action to
complete the exchange of official documents between this State
and any other state which ratifies the compact.

(c)  The Secretary, or someone designated by him, shall act
as compact administrator for the State and perform the functions
required under subsection (a) OF THIS SECTION.

(d)  The Department [of Natural Resources] shall take the
necessary action to integrate the State forest fire plan with the
regional forest fire plan formulated by the compact
administrators, and adjust and expand the plan as necessary to
comply with subsection (a) OF THIS SECTION.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the General
Assembly authorizes and directs the Governor of the State of
Maryland:

(1)  To execute and deliver on behalf of the State of
Maryland all agreements and modifications of agreements that
relate to the Middle Atlantic Interstate Forest Fire Protection
Compact; and

(2)  To take those actions which may be necessary to
effectuate the Middle Atlantic Interstate Forest Fire Protection
Compact on behalf of the State of Maryland.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act may not
take effect until a similar Act is passed by the General
Assemblies of Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia,
and West Virginia; that the States of Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio,
and West Virginia and the Commonwealths of Pennsylvania and
Virginia are requested to concur in this Act of the General
Assembly of Maryland by the passage of a similar Act; that the
Department of Legislative Reference shall notify the appropriate
officials of the States of Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio, and West
Virginia and the Commonwealths of Pennsylvania and Virginia of

- 1853 -