Ch. 758

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

PROPERTY ARTICLE [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.

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 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. BY PROVIDING

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