committees and the Governor on or before a certain day; and generally relating
to the creation of a Shore Erosion Task Force.

WHEREAS, Much of the Chesapeake Bay shore is subject to high level wind and
to water erosion requiring structured wave barriers that currently do not exist; and

WHEREAS, Continued global warming, declining fishing industries, and
increasing animal populations impact the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its
tributaries; and

WHEREAS, Maryland is losing an estimated 260 acres of the Chesapeake Bay
shore to erosion annually; and

WHEREAS, The prevention and maintenance of shore erosion is essential to the
citizens of Maryland to protect the economy and environment, to ensure safety, and to
maintain the quality of life and ecological well-being; and

WHEREAS, It is the responsibility to properly protect our environment to the
extent possible, to maintain the livelihood of all citizens, and to improve the quality of
life, and

WHEREAS, Local citizen groups and governments have expressed a desire for
ongoing intervention to prevent shore erosion and for a clarification of the roles of
government in preventing shore erosion; and

WHEREAS, It is advantageous to involve citizens in the planning for maximum
protection and vitalization of our waterways and shoreline; and

WHEREAS, Utilizing the combined efforts of representatives from State and
local government, citizens, and industry to meet and to review the Shore Erosion
program and to make recommendations for a comprehensive plan for Shoreline
Erosion prevention would provide a broad spectrum of solutions; and

WHEREAS, A comprehensive Chesapeake Bay shore erosion action plan is
needed to implement a program addressing erosion issues and solutions; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
Governor is requested to establish a Shore Erosion Task Force to identify shore
erosion needs by county in Maryland, to clarify local, State, and federal roles
regarding shore erosion, to establish 5- and 10-year plans with target dates and
review, and to review contributing factors to shore erosion; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force be composed of:

(1) One member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of
the House, and one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of
the Senate;

(2) The Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources or the
Secretary's designee;