Ch. 672

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

affected subdivision of its intended action and, after reasonable notice, afford an
opportunity for hearings on the apportionment or allocation.

(d)     Any funds previously or subsequently appropriated or reimbursed to the
Department from the Land and Water Conservation Fund of the United States
Department of Interior, National Park Service shall be used to supplement the
acquisition and development program of the Department and of other eligible State
agencies and local government bodies.

(e)     (1) The Department may, with the approval of the Board of Public Works,
use acquisition funds to make matching or refundable grants to land trusts for the
acquisition of interests or rights in real property for recreational or open space purposes.

(2)     Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 4-411 through 4-414 of the State
Finance and Procurement Article, subject to the availability of funds and in accordance
with other provisions of this article regarding open space and wildland areas, the
Department may enter into agreements with a land trust for the State to acquire title to
or an interest or right in property owned by the land trust or property on which the land
trust holds an option or a contract to purchase.

(3)     An agreement under this subsection shall be subject to approval by the
Board of Public Works under § 4-415 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.

(f)      (1) Subject to the limitation under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the
Department may use acquisition funds to stabilize the structural integrity of
improvements existing on land at the time of acquisition.

(2) The costs to stabilize the structural integrity of improvements existing on
land at the time of acquisition may not exceed 10 percent of the purchase price of the
land.

(g)     (1) For the fiscal year commencing July 1, 1990, any amount appropriated in
the State budget, and for each subsequent fiscal year, up to 25 percent of the State's share
of funds available under the program may be used for capital improvements on land
owned by the State for the use of the Department if the improvements are:

(i) Approved in the State budget; and

(ii) Compatible with:

1.       Any master plan developed for the land; and

2.       The natural features of the land.

(2) (i) For the fiscal year commencing July 1, 1996, up to 12.5% of the
State's share of funds available for capital improvements may be used to operate State
forests and parks, but only if the funds expended for operating costs do not exceed the
portion of the State allocation available under this subsection that is derived from current
revenues, as distinguished from proceeds of bond issues.

(II) FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 1997, UP TO
$1,000,000 OF THE STATE'S SHARE OF FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS MAY BE USED TO OPERATE STATE FORESTS AND PARKS, BUT ONLY

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