WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor Ch. 306

(a) For the purposes of this subtitle, the Department OF
THE ENVIRONMENT shall have and may exercise the following powers
and duties:

(1)  General supervision over the administration and
enforcement of this subtitle and all rules, regulations, and
orders promulgated pursuant to it;

(2)  Develop comprehensive programs and plans for
prevention, control, and abatement of pollution of the waters of
the State by oil or sediment;

(3)  Advise, consult, and cooperate with other units
of the State, the federal government, other state and interstate
agencies, affected groups, political subdivisions, and industries
to further the purposes of this subtitle;

(4)  Accept and administer loans and grants from the
federal government and other sources, public or private, to carry
out any of its functions;

(5)  Encourage, participate   in, finance, or conduct
studies, investigations, research, and   demonstrations relating to
water pollution and its causes, prevention, control, and
abatement;

(6)  Collect and disseminate information relating to
water pollution and its prevention, control, and abatement;

(7)  Adopt, modify, repeal, and promulgate, after due
notice and hearing, and enforce rules and regulations
implementing or effectuating its powers and duties;

(8)  Hold hearings, issue notices of hearing and
subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses and production of
evidence, administer oaths, and take necessary testimony; any of
these powers may be exercised by the [Director of the Water
Resources Administration or a hearing officer the Director of the
Water Resources Administration designates in writing] DESIGNEE OF
THE SECRETARY; and

(9)  Exercise every incidental power necessary to
carry out the purposes of this subtitle.

(b) The Department shall prescribe by rule or regulation
approved methods, facilities, standards, and devices for
transfer, storage, separating, removing, treating, or disposing
of oil and other unctuous substances to prevent pollution of
waters of the State, including rules and regulations outlining
procedures for addressing water pollution episodes or emergencies
which constitute an acute danger to health or the environment. A
person may not engage in any commercial or industrial operation
involving these activities unless he has obtained a permit from

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