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Ch. 264
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PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor
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5-9B-02.
(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, 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) PRESERVING VALUABLE OPEN SPACE IN ITS NATURAL,
AGRICULTURAL, OR FORESTRY USE WILL HELP CONTAIN SPRAWL DEVELOPMENT,
IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ITS TRIBUTARIES BY
LIMITING POINT AND NONPOINT SOURCES OF POLLUTION, AND HELP MEET A GOAL
OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AGREEMENT PERMANENTLY TO PROTECT 20% OF THE
CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED BY 2010;
(3) 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
(4) LOCAL GRANT PROGRAMS THAT LEVERAGE AVAILABLE FUNDING,
FOCUS ON PRESERVATION OF STRATEGIC RESOURCES, INCLUDING THOSE
RESOURCES THREATENED BY SPRAWL DEVELOPMENT, STREAMLINE REAL
PROPERTY ACQUISITION PROCEDURES TO EXPEDITE LAND PRESERVATION, TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF INNOVATIVE PRESERVATION TECHNIQUES SUCH AS TRANSFERABLE
DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS AND THE PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS, AND
PROMOTE A GREATER LEVEL OF NATURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
PROTECTION THAN IS PROVIDED BY EXISTING EFFORTS, WILL ESTABLISH A LEGACY
FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
(A) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECLARES THAT:
(1) IT IS STATE PUBLIC POLICY TO IMPROVE. CONSERVE, AND MANAGE
THE QUALITY OF THE WATERS OF THE STATE AND PROTECT, MAINTAIN, AND
IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF WATER FOR PUBLIC SUPPLIES, PROPAGATION OF
WILDLIFE, FISH AND AQUATIC LIFE, AND DOMESTIC. AGRICULTURAL, INDUSTRIAL,
RECREATIONAL, AND OTHER LEGITIMATE BENEFICIAL USES;
(2) IT IS ALSO THE POLICY OF THE STATE TO PRESERVE VALUABLE
OPEN SPACE IN ITS NATURAL, AGRICULTURAL, OR FORESTRY USE, WHICH WILL NOT
ONLY HELP CONTAIN SPRAWL DEVELOPMENT BUT WILL ALSO IMPROVE THE WATER
QUALITY OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ITS TRIBUTARIES BY LIMITING POINT AND
NONPOINT SOURCES OF POLLUTION AND HELP MEET A GOAL OF THE CHESAPEAKE
BAY AGREEMENT PERMANENTLY TO PROTECT 20% OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
WATERSHED BY 2010;
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- 2049 -
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