ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor

Ch. 223

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Natural Resources
Section 5-206

Annotated Code of Maryland
(2000 Replacement Volume and 2002 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Natural Resources

5-206.

(a)     The Secretary may commission any person to act as a forest or park
warden for a term of two years, subject to removal at any time at the pleasure of the
Secretary. While holding office, a warden has and may exercise the authority and
power of a Natural Resources police officer or a law enforcement officer as provided in
his commission so far as arresting and prosecuting persons for violations of any forest
or park laws or of the laws, rules and regulations enacted for the protection of the
State forestry reservations, State parks, historic monuments, recreation areas, or for
the protection of fish and game.

(b)     The Secretary shall, within the limits of any appropriation made for this
purpose, commission forest, park, and wildlife rangers as the Secretary deems
necessary for the enforcement of laws and regulations as provided in this subsection.
All appointments shall be made from a list of eligible persons prepared in accordance
with the provisions of the State Personnel and Pensions Article. An employee so
commissioned and assigned law enforcement duties has and may exercise the powers
of a Natural Resources police officer or a law enforcement officer of the State. These
powers may be exercised upon:

(1)     Properties owned by the State and managed by the Department;

(2)     Railroad rights-of-way and utility properties which are not owned by
the State, but which traverse properties owned by the State and managed by the
Department;

(3)     All public and private properties which are within the boundaries of
State properties managed by the Department;

(4)     All waters of the State within one mile of the shoreline of all
properties owned by the Department;

(5)     All public and private property adjoining property owned by the State
and managed by the Department;

(6)     All park property in Maryland owned by the federal government;

(7)     All roadways within the boundaries of or that portion of roadway
adjoining properties owned by the State and managed by the Department; [and]

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