(a) In order to assure that an increasing population, accompanied by expanding settlement and growing mechanization, does not occupy and modify all areas within the State, leaving no lands designated for preservation and protection in their natural condition, it is the policy of the General Assembly to secure for the people of present and future generations […]
Notwithstanding inclusion of an area in the State wildlands preservation system, the area shall continue to be managed by the unit which had jurisdiction immediately before its inclusion in the State wildlands preservation system unless otherwise provided by an act of the General Assembly. Money may not be appropriated for the payment of expenses or […]
The Secretary may review, as to its suitability for preservation as State wildlands, any area under his jurisdiction which he deems worthy of consideration for protection as State wildland. He shall report his findings to the Governor. The Governor shall advise the General Assembly of his recommendations with respect to the designation as State “wildland” […]
Within ten years after July 1, 1971, the Secretary shall review every roadless area of 500 contiguous acres or more in the State-owned lands under his jurisdiction on July 1, 1971. Every area of State-owned roadless islands, State wildlife refuges, and public hunting areas under his jurisdiction on July 1, 1971 shall be reported to […]
Prior to submitting any recommendations to the Governor with respect to the suitability of any area for preservation as wildland the Secretary shall: (1) Give the public notice he deems appropriate of the proposed action, including publication in a newspaper having general circulation in the vicinity of the affected land; (2) Announce and then hold a public […]
Any modification or adjustment of the boundaries of any State wildlands area shall be recommended by the Secretary after public notice of the proposal and public hearing as provided in § 5–1208 of this subtitle. The proposed modification or adjustment shall then be recommended with map and any description to the Governor. The Governor shall […]
The purposes of Part II of this subtitle are supplemental to the purposes for which State forests and units of the State park and wildlife refuge systems are established and administered. Nothing in Part II of this subtitle may interfere with either the purpose for which State forests are established or modify the statutory authority […]
Except as otherwise provided in this part, each unit administering any area designated as wildlands is responsible for preserving the wildland character of the area and administering the other purposes for which it was established in order to preserve its wildland character. Except as otherwise provided in Part II of this subtitle, wildland areas shall […]
Except as provided in Part II of this subtitle, and subject to existing private rights, a commercial enterprise or permanent road, except fire roads, may not exist within any wildlife area designated by Part II of this subtitle. Except as necessary to meet minimum requirements for the administration of the area for the purpose of […]
Any area which was open to hunting, fishing, or trapping prior to wildlands designation shall continue to be available for those activities subject to the laws, regulations, and administrative policies of the Department.
Within wildland areas designated by Part II of this subtitle, the use of motorboats, where they have already become established, may continue subject to any restrictions the Secretary deems desirable. In addition, necessary measures may be taken to control fires, insects, and diseases, subject to conditions the Secretary deems desirable. These regulations shall be adopted […]
In addition to any measures taken under § 5-1213 of this subtitle, in order to protect privately owned land adjoining or located in close proximity to a State wildland, each unit administering the designated wildland area shall: (1) Maintain fire access roads located within the wildland area in a passable condition as determined by the Department; […]
Within State wildland areas designated under Part II of this subtitle, the Governor, within a specific area and in accordance with the regulations he deems desirable, may authorize prospecting for water resources, and recommend the establishment and maintenance of reservoirs, water conservation works, power projects, transmission lines, and other facilities needed in the public interest, […]
If privately owned land is surrounded completely by areas designated by Part II of this subtitle as State wildland, the private owner and his successor in interest has the rights necessary to assure adequate access to the privately owned land, or the privately owned land may be exchanged for State-owned land in the same county […]
Subject to the appropriation of funds by the legislature, the Secretary may acquire privately owned land within the perimeter of any area designated by Part II of this subtitle as wildlands if the owner concurs in the acquisition.
The Department may accept any gift of land or wetlands to the State, make other agreements as to these lands, purchase land or wetlands, or purchase scenic easements in the name of the State to be held, restored, and administered as State wildland areas. The Department may also designate and set aside areas in State […]
Property may not be acquired under Part II of this subtitle without the consent of the property owner.
