PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 757

SUBTITLE 9A RURAL LEGACY PROGRAM.
5-9A-01.

(A)    THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECLARES THAT:

(1)     SPRAWL DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER MODIFICATIONS TO THE
LANDSCAPE IN MARYLAND CONTINUE AT AN ALARMING RATE, CONSUMING LAND
RICH IN NATURAL RESOURCE AND, AGRICULTURAL, AND FORESTRY VALUE,
ADVERSELY AFFECTING WATER QUALITY, WETLANDS AND HABITAT,
THREATENING RESOURCE-BASED ECONOMIES AND CULTURAL ASSETS, AND
RENDING THE FABRIC OF RURAL LIFE;

(2)     CURRENT STATE, COUNTY, AND LOCAL LAND CONSERVATION
PROGRAMS HELP TO LIMIT THE EFFECT OF SPRAWL DEVELOPMENT BUT LACK
SUFFICIENT FUNDING AND FOCUS TO PRESERVE KEY AREAS BEFORE ESCALATING
LAND VALUES MAKE THEIR PROTECTION IMPOSSIBLE OR THE LAND IS LOST TO
DEVELOPMENT; AND

(3)     A GRANT PROGRAM THAT LEVERAGES AVAILABLE FUNDING,
FOCUSES ON PRESERVATION OF STRATEGIC RESOURCES, INCLUDING THOSE
RESOURCES THREATENED BY SPRAWL DEVELOPMENT, STREAMLINES REAL
PROPERTY ACQUISITION PROCEDURES TO EXPEDITE LAND PRESERVATION, AND
PROMOTES A GREATER LEVEL OF NATURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
PROTECTION THAN IS PROVIDED BY EXISTING EFFORTS, WHILE MAINTAINING THE
VIABILITY OF RESOURCE-BASED LAND USAGE AND PROPER MANAGEMENT OF
TILLABLE AND WOODED AREAS, WILL ESTABLISH A RURAL LEGACY FOR FUTURE
GENERATIONS.

(B)     (1) A RURAL LEGACY PROGRAM IS ESTABLISHED TO ENHANCE
NATURAL RESOURCE, AGRICULTURAL, FORESTRY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION BY PROVIDING,
WHILE MAINTAINING THE VIABILITY OF RESOURCE-BASED LAND USAGE AND
PROPER MANAGEMENT OF TILLABLE AND WOODED AREAS THROUGH ACCEPTED
AGRICULTURAL AND SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES FOR FARM PRODUCTION AND
TIMBER HARVESTS.

(2) THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FUNDS TO THE STATE, LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS AND LAND TRUSTS TO PURCHASE INTERESTS IN REAL PROPERTY
FROM WILLING SELLERS, INCLUDING EASEMENTS AND FEE ESTATES, FOCUSED IN
DESIGNATED RURAL LEGACY AREAS.

(2) (3) THE PROGRAM SHALL CREATE ENCOURAGE PARTNERSHIPS
AMONG THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND NONPROFIT LAND
TRUST 'ORGANIZATIONS AND ENCOURAGE LOCAL LAND CONSERVATION
INITIATIVES.

(3) (4) THE PROGRAM IS ADMINISTERED BY A RURAL LEGACY
BOARD IN THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE,
AND EXISTING STATE STAFF.

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