PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                              S.B. 65

(III) MONEYS PAID TO A LANDOWNER UNDER THIS SECTION MAY
BE PAID FROM THE NONTIDAL WETLAND COMPENSATION FUND. THE DEPARTMENT
SHALL COORDINATE COST SHARING ASSISTANCE PAID FROM THE FUND UNDER
THIS SECTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

(2)     THE DEPARTMENT MAY NOT EXPEND MORE THAN $100,000 EACH
YEAR FROM THE NONTIDAL WETLAND COMPENSATION FUND FOR THE COST
SHARING PROGRAM ESTABLISHED IN THIS SECTION.

(III)   MONEYS PAID TO A LANDOWNER UNDER THIS SECTION MAY BE
PAID FROM THE WETLANDS COMPENSATION FUND, THE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AND
PROTECTION FUND, OR FEDERAL FUNDS. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COORDINATE COST
SHARING ASSISTANCE PAID FROM THE FUNDS UNDER THIS SECTION WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

(IV)   THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REQUIRE VERIFICATION OF A
LANDOWNER'S EXPENSES BEFORE THE LANDOWNER MAY RECEIVE MONEY FROM THE
COST SHARING PROGRAM.

(3)     (2) THE DEPARTMENT MAY NOT PAY MORE THAN $12,000 EACH
YEAR TO A SINGLE LANDOWNER, OR TO A PERSON IN THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY OF
THE LANDOWNER, OR TO AN ENTITY IN WHICH THE LANDOWNER HAS A
SUBSTANTIAL OWNERSHIP INTEREST, UNDER THE COST SHARING PROGRAM
ESTABLISHED IN THIS SECTION.

(4)     (3) THE DEPARTMENT MAY NOT EXPEND MORE THAN $60 PER
ACRE PER YEAR FOR ANY COST SHARING PROJECT UNDER THIS SECTION.

(4) IN LIEU OF CASH PAYMENTS TO LANDOWNERS, THE DEPARTMENT MAY
SUBSTITUTE IN-KIND SERVICES OF EQUAL VALUE.

(5)     (4) (5) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTABLISH PRIORITIES TO
TARGET COST SHARING ASSISTANCE TO WETLANDS RESTORATION AND
ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS WITH THE GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR IMPROVING
WILDLIFE HABITAT AND WETLANDS FUNCTIONS IN AREAS INCLUDING THOSE WHERE:

(I) PHRAGMITES THREATEN RARE OR ENDANGERED WILDLIFE OR
PLANTS;

(II)    THE HIGHEST DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF NATIVE PLANTS,
WILDLIFE, OR FISH EXIST; AND

(III)   PHRAGMITES CAN BE EFFECTIVELY CONTROLLED.
8-2103.

(a) (1) The Department shall study the feasibility of establishing a AND
ANALYZE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE cost sharing program in the Department to assist
THAT ASSISTS landowners in paying for the cost of the management and control of the
spread of phragmites.

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