Ch. 757

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(II) MAY NOT INCLUDE A VALUE FOR ANY RESOURCE USED OR
RESERVED BY THE OWNER FOR PRIVATE ECONOMIC BENEFIT.

(D) THE BOARD AND SPONSORS MAY ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, INCLUDING THE MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL
LAND PRESERVATION FOUNDATION AND THE MARYLAND ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST,
FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING PARTNERSHIPS TO CARRY OUT THIS
PROGRAM.

5-9A-05.

(A)     A SPONSOR MAY FILE AN APPLICATION TO DESIGNATE A RURAL LEGACY
AREA IN ACCORDANCE WITH A SCHEDULE ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD. A LOCAL
GOVERNMENT MAY NOT APPLY FOR OR APPROVE AN APPLICATION FOR A RURAL
LEGACY AREA DESIGNATION OUTSIDE ITS INSIDE ANOTHER JURISDICTION'S
BOUNDARIES WITHOUT THAT JURISDICTION'S APPROVAL

(B)     THE APPLICATION SHALL DESCRIBE THE PROPOSED RURAL LEGACY
AREA, INCLUDE A RURAL LEGACY AREA PLAN, IDENTIFY EXISTING PROTECTED
LANDS, STATE THE ANTICIPATED LEVEL OF INITIAL LANDOWNER PARTICIPATION IN
THE PROGRAM AND THE AMOUNT OF THE GRANT REQUESTED, AND COMPLY WITH
THE CRITERIA SET FORTH BELOW.

(C)     THE BOARD SHALL EVALUATE AND COMPARE APPLICATIONS IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA IN ORDER TO SELECT THOSE THAT
BEST CARRY FORWARD THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM SET FORTH
IN § 5-9A-01 OF THIS SUBTITLE:

(1)      THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE AGRICULTURAL. FORESTRY. AND
NATURAL RESOURCES PROPOSED FOR PROTECTION, INCLUDING:

(I)      THE DEGREE TO WHICH PROPOSED FEE OR EASEMENT
PURCHASES WILL PROTECT THE LOCATION, PROXIMITY, AND SIZE OF CONTIGUOUS
BLOCKS OF LANDS, GREEN BELTS OR GREENWAYS, OR AGRICULTURAL, FORESTRY,
OR NATURAL RESOURCE CORRIDORS;

(II)     THE NATURE, SIZE, AND IMPORTANCE OF THE LAND AREA TO
BE PROTECTED, SUCH AS FARMLAND, FORESTS, WETLANDS, WILDLIFE HABITAT
AND PLANT SPECIES, VEGETATIVE BUFFERS, OR BAY OR WATERFRONT ACCESS; AND

(III)   THE QUALITY AND PUBLIC OR ECONOMIC VALUE OF THE
LAND;

(2)      THE DEGREE OF THREAT TO THE RESOURCES AND CHARACTER OF
THE AREA PROPOSED FOR PRESERVATION, AS REFLECTED BY PATTERNS AND
TRENDS OF DEVELOPMENT AND LANDSCAPE MODIFICATIONS IN AND
SURROUNDING THE PROPOSED RURAL LEGACY AREA;

(3)      THE SIGNIFICANCE AND EXTENT OF THE CULTURAL RESOURCES
PROPOSED FOR PROTECTION THROUGH FEE SIMPLE PURCHASES, INCLUDING THE
IMPORTANCE OF HISTORIC SITES AND SIGNIFICANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL AREAS;

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