354/Maryland Manual

Resources Division, and the Power Plant Research
Program. This new division evaluates growth and
development controls needed to prevent adverse
effects on Chesapeake Bay and other resources. The
Division also conducts cumulative and regional en-
vironmental reviews to assess the broad total impact
of projects and programs.

The Power Plant and Environmental Review
Division is served by the Power Plant Siting Advi-
sory Committee and the Science Advisory Board.

POWER PLANT SITING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Chairperson: Joseph J. DiNunno
Contact: Michael F. Hirshfield 974-2788

Appointed by the Secretary of Natural Re-
sources, the Committee advises the Secretary on the
Power Plant Research Program (Code Natural Re-
sources Article, secs. l-102(d), 3-303).

SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD

Executive Committee
Chairperson: Dr. Robert J. Huggett

Appointed by Secretary of Natural Resources: Dr.
John Hattrup, 1988; David Bailey, 1989; Dr.
Dennis T. Burton, 1989; Dr. Ivan E. Strand, Jr.,
1989; Jack Urban, 1989; Dr. Owen P. Bricker III,
1990; Dr. Rosa G. de Pena, 1990; Dr. John
Merriner, 1990; Dr. Scott Zeger, 1990.

Ex officio: Dr. Eric Van De Verg, Dept. of Economic
& Employment Development; Vacancy, Dept. of the
Environment; Gary Schlerf, Office of Planning; Dr.
Paul Miller, Power Plant Research Program.

Contact: Michael F. Hirshfield 974-2788

Formerly the Environmental Research Guid-
ance Committee, the Science Advisory Board was
formed in 1986. The Board identifies research
needed by the Power Plant Research Program and
invites proposals for research projects. The Board
reviews project proposals, technical progress, and
final reports. Appointed by the Secretary of Natural
Resources, members serve three-year terms (Code
Natural Resources Article, secs. l-102(d), 3-303).

NATURAL RESOURCES POLICE
FORCE

Col. Jack T. Taylor, Superintendent

Tawes State Office Building
580 Taylor Ave.
Annapolis, MD 21401 974-2247
974-3181

Created in 1972, the Natural Resources Police
Force traces its origins to 1868, when the State
Oyster Police Force was formed to enforce State
oyster laws. Legislation enacted in 1874 brought
all forces afloat under the Commission of Fisheries

and named the new unit the State Fishery Force. In
1922, the Force became part of the Conservation
Department and was known as the Maryland Patrol
and Inspection Fleet. Marine enforcement by the
Natural Resources Police Force originated from
responsibilities of the early fleets.

For wildlife and inland fisheries, the creation of
the post of State Game Warden in 1896 was the
benchmark for a system that would uniformly en-
force conservation laws across the State. Following
the appointment of a State Game Warden, govern-
ment programs were initiated that defined today's
inland enforcement duties of the Natural Resources
Police. In 1922, the post of State Game Warden
became a part of the Conservation Department
along with the State Fishery Force (renamed the
Maryland Patrol and Inspection Fleet). In 1939, the
Conservation Department was split into two de-
partments: the Department of Tidewater Fisheries,
and the Game and Inland Fish Commission (later
the Department of Game and Inland Fish). The
Marine Enforcement Fleet then was named the
Division of Inspection and Patrol. It became the
Maryland State Marine Police in 1962, responsible
for enforcing the Maryland Boat Act of 1960. After
the Department of Chesapeake Bay Affairs and the
Department of Game and Inland Fish were abol-
ished, the Natural Resources Police Force was cre-
ated in 1972 (Chapter 348, Acts of 1972).

The Natural Resources Police Force enforces
State laws and regulations on commercial seafood
harvesting and sport fishing, boating, waterways
pollution, and wildlife conservation. It also con-
ducts boating and firearms training and hunting
safety education programs.

The Force inspects boats for violations of con-
servation and boating laws. It arrests and issues
warnings to violators. The Force also investigates
boating accidents and reports them to the U.S.
Coast Guard, and inspects seafood processing
houses and trucks carrying seafood cargo.

Through enforcement of hunting and wildlife
conservation laws, the Force provides the primary
law enforcement service as well as emergency ser-
vices for some remote areas in Maryland. The Force
also serves as the primary search and rescue agency
on State waters.

The Force operates the Natural Resources Police
Academy at Matapeake, a central maintenance and
supply facility, and an aviation unit to provide air-
borne surveillance and rescue services to enforce-
ment programs and Department agencies.