ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                             Ch. 526

[(7)] (8) The restoration of the Chesapeake and the Atlantic Coastal
Bays and their tributaries is dependent, in part, on minimizing further adverse
impacts to the water quality and natural habitats of the shoreline and adjacent lands,
PARTICULARLY IN THE BUFFER;

[(8)] (9) The cumulative impact of current development AND OF EACH
NEW DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY IN THE BUFFER is inimical to these purposes; and

[(9)] (10) There is a critical and substantial State interest for the benefit
of current and future generations in fostering more sensitive development activity in
a consistent and uniform manner along shoreline areas of the Chesapeake and the
Atlantic Coastal Bays and their tributaries so as to minimize damage to water quality
and natural habitats.

(b) It is the purpose of the General Assembly in enacting this subtitle:

(1)     To establish a Resource Protection Program for the Chesapeake and
the Atlantic Coastal Bays and their tributaries by fostering more sensitive
development activity for certain shoreline areas so as to minimize damage to water
quality and natural habitats; and

(2)     To implement the Resource Protection Program on a cooperative
basis between the State and affected local governments, with local governments
establishing and implementing their programs in a consistent and uniform manner
subject to State criteria and oversight.

8-1802.

(a) (1) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2)     "Atlantic Coastal Bays" means the Assawoman, Isle of Wight,
Sinepuxent, Newport, and Chincoteague Bays.

(3)     "Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area" means the initial planning area
identified under § 8-1807 of this subtitle.

(4)     "BUFFER" MEANS AN EXISTING, NATURALLY VEGETATED AREA, OR
AN AREA ESTABLISHED IN VEGETATION AND MANAGED TO PROTECT AQUATIC,
WETLANDS, SHORELINE, AND TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENTS FROM MAN-MADE
DISTURBANCES.

(5)      "Chesapeake Bay Critical Area" means the initial planning area
identified under § 8-1807 of this subtitle.

[(5)] (6) "Commission" means the Critical Area Commission for the
Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays established in this subtitle.

[(6)] (7) "Critical Area" means the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and
the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area.

[(7)] (8) "Development" means any activity that materially affects the
condition or use of dry land, land under water, or any structure.

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