WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                         Ch. 367

(d)     If an applicant or a person with an interest which is or may be adversely
affected has participated in the administrative proceedings provided under subsection (c)
of this section as an objector and is aggrieved by the decision of the Department to issue
or deny a permit, the applicant or person shall have the right to judicial review in
accordance with the provisions of Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article.

6-104.2.

[(a) In addition to other applicable provisions of law, a person may not obtain a
permit for the drilling of an oil or gas well under § 6-104 of this subtitle in the
Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, as defined under § 8-1807 of this article, and may not drill
for oil or gas exploration in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area unless:

(1)     The Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission provides written
approval of the proposed drilling;

(2)     The applicant completes an environmental impact study that includes a
comprehensive analysis of the potential for any adverse environmental effects as a result
of the drilling;

(3)     The Department consults the governing body of the county in which the
drilling will occur; and

(4)     The Department considers any written recommendations of the
Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission and the governing body of the county in which
the drilling will occur.]

(b) (A) By January 1, 1991 1994, the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission
shall adopt criteria that assures the protection of land and water resources in the Critical
Area and that shall apply throughout the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area for:

(1)     Production of oil or natural gas on lands or waters leased by the State;
and

(2)     Exploration or production of oil or natural gas on any lands in the
Critical Area.

(c)     (B) (1) In addition to other applicable provisions of law, an applicant for
any production or exploratory drilling that will occur on, in, under, or through the
Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, including wells drilled outside the Critical Area by a
method known as slant drilling that will pass through the Critical Area, shall complete
and submit with the application an environmental impact study that addresses the
potential for any adverse environmental effects on the Critical Area as a result of the
drilling.

(2) (i) The Department shall forward a copy of the permit application
and the environmental impact study referred to in subsection (c)(1) PARAGRAPH (1) OF
THIS SUBSECTION to the Critical Area Commission for its review and comment.

(ii) The Department shall consider and comment in writing on the
objections and concerns of the Critical Area Commission before issuing a permit under
this subsection.]

- 1991 -