Part K
NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT, AND AGRICULTURE
MARINE SANITATION
One goal of the 1987 Chesapeake Bay Agreement is the elimination of pollutant discharges from recreational boats. Legislation enacted in 1988 authorized the Department of Natural Resources to use the Waterway Improvement Fund for the construction and maintenance of pumpout stations. Federal and State funds were made available to reimburse marina owners up to $12,500 for the installation of pumpout stations. In the following years, about 60 out of 590 existing marinas (10%) installed pumpout facilities. In 1994 marinas with 50 or more slips were required to install pumpout facilities and the Department of Natural Resources Police was authorized to enforce marine sanitation laws. Most large marinas now have pumpout facilities. In the last five years, of the 251 pumpout facilities constructed, 190 facilities were built with State and federal funds.
Raw sewage is prohibited from being dumped into the Chesapeake Bay. Boaters can use Type III marine sanitation devices, or holding tanks. These can be used on any size vessel. Boaters are then able to use pumpout facilities at marinas and other boat access areas to safely dispose of waste. Boaters can also use Type I and II marine sanitation devices which treat sewage before it is disposed of in water. Type I devices are for vessels up to 65 feet. Type II devices are for vessels that exceed 65 feet.
While there are more pumpout facilities available now than a few years ago, it is unknown whether enough pumpout facilities exist so that boaters can safely and conveniently dispose of sewage waste. The impact of treated sewage on State waters is also unknown. In order to ascertain the degree to which the State is protecting the Chesapeake Bay through use of marine pumpout facilities, Senate Bill 569/House Bill 732 (both passed) require the Department of Natural Resources to determine the effectiveness of the State's marine sanitation policy. The department must conduct a statewide survey of the number, location, and utilization of pumpout and waste reception facilities at public and private marinas, mooring areas, docks, and other boat access areas. The department must determine the number of recreational vessels with a Type I, Type II, or Type III marine sanitation device or portable toilet and identify where in the State these vessels congregate, including areas of overnight anchoring and mooring. The study must also include identification of State waters that support living resources that are sensitive to sewage discharge using criteria from the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The survey and study must be completed by April 15, 2000.
By April 15, 2001, the department must take steps to ensure that adequate facilities are available in the identified sensitive areas for the safe, sanitary removal and treatment of sewage from all vessels, according to federal criteria.
VESSEL OPERATION
Currently, State law does not have an evidentiary presumption of what alcohol concentration is prima facie evidence of intoxication for operating a vessel while intoxicated. House Bill 172 (passed) conforms drunk boating intoxication presumptions with drunk driving intoxication presumptions. The bill establishes that an alcohol concentration that meets the "intoxicated per se" definition, currently 0.10 or more, as determined by an analysis of a person's blood or breath, is prima facie evidence that the person was operating a vessel while intoxicated.
In addition, the bill makes the results of a test to determine the drug or controlled dangerous substance content of a person's blood admissible as evidence in a criminal case involving a violation of the prohibition against operating a vessel while under the influence of a drug, a combination of drugs, one or more drugs and alcohol, or any controlled dangerous substance.
SHORE EROSION
Current law requires the Department of Natural Resources to develop and implement a program to educate the public on shore erosion control. The Shore Erosion Control Construction Loan Fund provides matching grants to any person for the construction of nonstructural shore erosion control projects.
In an effort to assess future shore erosion control project funding needs across the State and to determine if the department should fund structural erosion control projects as well as nonstructural erosion control projects, House Joint Resolution 19 (passed) requests the Governor to establish an 11-member Shore Erosion Task Force to: (1) identify shore erosion needs by county in Maryland; (2) clarify local, State, and federal roles regarding shore erosion; (3) establish five- and ten-year plans with target dates and review; and (4) review contributing factors to shore erosion. The task force must report its findings to the Governor and the Senate Economic and Environmental Affairs Committee and the House Environmental Matters Committee of the General Assembly by January 1, 2000.
PROGRAM OPEN SPACE
Senate Bill 637/House Bill 957 (both passed) provide that the amount of State transfer tax revenues as estimated in the December 1998 report of the Board of Revenue Estimates that exceeds the revenue estimate used in the fiscal 1999 State budget may be made available for expenditure in fiscal 1999. Under current law, this money would not be available until fiscal 2007. Special fund expenditures are expected to increase by $13.4 million in fiscal 1999 and decrease by $13.4 million in fiscal 2001 as a result of these bills. Approximately 50% of Program Open Space funds are allocated to local governments. Based on the current distribution formula, local governments would receive $5.0 million of the projected fiscal 1999 over attainment of transfer tax revenues in fiscal 2001. Under the bills, local governments will receive the funds in fiscal 1999, two years earlier than under current law.
FISHERY MANAGEMENT
Power Dredging for Oysters
Power dredging is a method of catching oysters by which a motorized boat pulls a dredge across the bottom of the water. According to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), there are large areas around the Chesapeake Bay not being dredged due to a reduction in the number of skipjacks. A skipjack is a similar method of harvesting oysters using a sail boat to pull the dredge along the bottom. Power dredging serves a dual purpose of both catching oysters and cleaning debris from the bottom of the water. Oyster spat need a clean surface to attach themselves in order to grow.
Currently, power dredging is allowed to a limited extent in the waters contiguous to Somerset County. House Bill 275 (passed), Senate Bill 541/House Bill 422 (both passed), and House Bill 1030 (passed) authorize individuals with a power dredging license to harvest oysters in designated waters of Calvert County, Dorchester County, and St. Mary's County, respectively. Power dredging will be permitted for a limited season with a daily maximum number of bushels. Senate Bill 607 (passed) expands the area where a person may catch oysters by power dredge in the waters of Tangier Sound in Somerset County during the power dredging season, November 1 through March 30. The bills require DNR to establish by regulation a zone in which power dredging is allowed.
Each bill requires an oyster sanctuary to be established in specified waters of the particular county, for restoration purposes. The sanctuaries are intended to enhance the spawning potential of the oyster populations within the areas open to power dredging. DNR is required to establish a program to purchase oysters at no less than market price from a person who has a power dredge license to be transplanted to the oyster sanctuary. Additionally, DNR must reserve areas by regulation on a rotational basis for restoration and harvesting purposes and must establish, by regulation, appropriate penalties to be assessed against persons who are convicted of taking oysters from a sanctuary or reserved area. The bills terminate on May 31, 2004, except for the provisions relating to the oyster sanctuaries.
Licenses and Fees
House Bill 1075 (passed) creates a new license for nontidal freshwater fishing guides. DNR may issue a freshwater fishing guide license for a fee of $20 for residents and $50 for nonresidents. The license is necessary for anyone who is compensated for their services while acting as a freshwater fishing guide. This bill restricts a person with a freshwater fishing guide license to guiding in nontidal freshwater areas only. The licenses may be issued beginning January 1, 2000. The license is valid for up to a year and expires on December 31, following the date of issuance. License revenue will be deposited into the Fisheries Management and Protection Special Fund to support fishery science programs and surveys relating to the management of freshwater species.
In addition, the bill authorizes DNR to establish by regulation first aid and safety requirements with which all fishing guide licensees must comply. DNR is also authorized to suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue a license for failure to comply with any license terms or conditions.
Finally, the bill clarifies the process by which a tidal
fish license may be transferred to a family member upon the death of a licensee.
In 1990, the General Assembly passed legislation establishing the striped bass stamp and tag provisions. This legislation addressed the issue of helping striped bass stocks to recover in the Chesapeake Bay. DNR instituted a striped bass hatchery program also in response to the depletion of striped bass stocks. The $2 stamp and tag permit fee funded this program. DNR ended the hatchery program in 1995. Subsequently, it has used the stamp and tag permit fee to fund the general striped bass survey that is conducted regularly. According to DNR, the striped bass population has increased in the Chesapeake Bay in recent years.
Senate Bill 427/House Bill 733 (both passed) repeal the striped bass stamp and tag provisions, including the $2 fee. The bills increase the cost of the Chesapeake Bay sport fishing licenses by $2 for resident licenses, short term licenses, and nonresident licenses. The annual special Chesapeake Bay sport fishing license for boats is increased from $30 to $40. Additionally, the bills increase the commission paid to an agent who issues a sport fishing license by 50 cents. The increases are intended to offset the lost revenues to DNR resulting from the elimination of the striped bass stamp and tag.
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
Hunting
Under current law, there are three seasons to hunt deer: bow hunting season, firearms season, and muzzle loader season. In March 1998, DNR released a new Statewide Deer Management Plan to address the growing deer population. The plan divided the State into four hunting regions (Western, Central, Southern and Eastern) with independent bag limits for bow, muzzle loader and firearms hunters. According to DNR, the plan is intended to "tailor" the deer harvest, particularly for antlerless deer, to the need for population control.
House Bill 500 (passed) requires DNR to establish by regulation an early black powder hunting season on two consecutive Fridays and Saturdays in October. The bill limits hunting on the second weekend of the early black powder season to antlerless deer. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to establish antlered and antlerless deer hunting requirements in each of the four deer management regions to meet the goals of the Deer Management Plan. The bill will terminate in two years.
Excluding certain wild waterfowl hunting licenses, a consolidated hunting license enables a person to hunt all legal game birds and mammals in their appropriate seasons without the purchase of additional hunting stamps. Under the law, DNR may issue a complimentary hunter's license to the President of the United States, the Governor of any state, or any Maryland resident who certifies that the resident is a former prisoner of war or 100 percent service-connected disabled American veteran. A complimentary hunter's license is nontransferable.
Senate Bill 737 (passed) allows DNR to issue a complimentary hunting license to an official or an enforcement officer of the game and fish management agency of another state that reciprocally offers complimentary hunting licenses.
Senate Bill 482 (passed) requires DNR or its designee to issue annually a complimentary consolidated hunting license to a hunter safety instructor who has: (1) maintained certification; (2) completed five years of service; (3) maintained active certification as an instructor; (4) taught two hunter safety courses during the fiscal year preceding the issuance; and (5) made a request to be issued a complimentary consolidated hunting license. Of the 700 hunter and firearm safety course volunteers, DNR police estimate that approximately 400 volunteers would qualify for the complimentary consolidated license as defined in Senate Bill 482.
Under current law, residents who are at least 65 years old may purchase a senior consolidated lifetime license. Residents who are at least 65 years old may purchase a senior consolidated annual license. House Bill 503 (passed) allows Maryland residents to purchase either a lifetime or annual senior consolidated license beginning in the calendar year in which they attain the age of 65 rather than waiting until their 65th birthday.
According to DNR, deer populations in Maryland are capable of doubling within a few years if they are not controlled. Currently, DNR estimates the deer population is 300,000. Reported deer/vehicle collisions have doubled from 1,500 in 1988 to 3,200 in 1996. With diminished populations of natural predators, the most efficient type of population control is hunting. The State's high deer population has many negative impacts, including: lyme disease, loss of property, vehicle accidents, and the loss of crops to farmers and landscaping to homeowners. There are 109,370 deer hunters in Maryland.
Forty states permit Sunday hunting with minimal or no restrictions. Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey permit gamebird shooting on preserves only. Pennsylvania permits crow, fox and coyote regulated hunting on shooting preserves. Virginia permits racoon hunting until 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning.
Senate Bill 566/House Bill 906 (both failed) would have allowed Sunday hunting. House Bill 906, as amended by the House of Delegates, would have permitted a person to hunt deer on Sundays in November and December with bow and arrow only, on private land while carrying the written permission of the owner of the land. This bill would have required DNR to study and make recommendations on the implementation of Sunday hunting of deer, including a comprehensive assessment of: (1) harvest pressure on the deer population in the State as a result of deer management practices by region; and (2) the deer population in the State as a result of natural predators.
Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact
The concept of a wildlife violator compact was first advanced in the early 1980s by member states of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. In 1989, compact legislation was passed into law in Colorado, Nevada, and Oregon. Ten additional states have statutes providing for participation in the wildlife violator compact: New Hampshire, New Jersey, West Virginia, Missouri, Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Arizona, Idaho, and Utah. According to the Western State's Wildlife Violator Compact Operation Manual, the compact will enable wildlife law enforcement officers to devote more time for patrol, surveillance and apprehension of violators since they are not burdened with violator processing procedures. The manual also states that the burden on courts and jail facilities is reduced because of the decreased caseload involving immediate appearances, bonding and incarceration.
House Bill 499 (passed) authorizes the Governor to enter the State into the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. Additionally, it provides and describes a mechanism that would permit participating states to enter into a reciprocal agreement for the suspension of hunting and fishing licenses for serious violations of fish and wildlife conservation laws, as well as failure to appear in court to answer for violations of these laws.
Wild Waterfowl
According to DNR, the current laws and system relating to the hunting of wild waterfowl have been confusing and difficult to understand. House Bill 1187 (passed) revises and updates the laws of the State relating to the hunting of wild waterfowl insofar as hunting from shore, from boats, and from blinds. This bill repeals antiquated provisions of the current wild waterfowl law, such as the gunning rig license, body booting provisions, and some county specific restrictions.
The legislation also streamlines the process for licensing blind sites by standardizing and simplifying the riparian landowner application process. Under the law, landowners had two to four weeks to license their shoreline with the Clerks of Court. At present, large landowners must obtain multiple licenses. This bill requires riparian landowners to license their entire property under a single license. However, only landowners owning at least 250 yards of continuous shoreline or with permission of adjacent landowners to meet the 250 yards requirement may establish a blind site or stationary blind. House Bill 1187 standardizes dates, distances, and other requirements that vary by county. Additionally, the bill transfers all responsibility for the issuance of specified hunting and fishing licenses from the clerks of the circuit courts to DNR or its designated agents.
AIR QUALITY
The Maryland Department of the Environment maintains 34 air monitoring sites to collect ambient air data on pollutants including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, lead, ozone, and certain toxic substances. The collection of ambient air data is required by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is compiled and submitted annually to the EPA and the General Assembly. Currently, California, Delaware, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, and Texas publish ambient air monitoring data on the Internet.
Senate Bill 323/House Bill 502 (both passed) require that on or before January 1, 2000 and each year thereafter, the Maryland Department of the Environment post all ambient air monitoring data, for the two most recent calendar years for which data are available, on the Internet. The information may appear in summary form.
The General Assembly considered several initiatives designed to improve air quality, including legislation to reduce the sulfur content in motor vehicle fuel, Senate Bill 274 (referred to interim study) and House Bill 17 (failed) and the number of vehicle miles traveled, Senate Bill 254 (failed). These bills, however, were not successful.
WATER QUALITY
Waste Treatment
Under current law, the Maryland Department of the Environment may not issue a permit to install, materially alter, or materially extend a sewage sludge composting facility until the facility meets all zoning and land use requirements of the county where the facility would be located and the department receives a letter stating the board of county commissioners or the county council does not oppose the issuance of a permit. Concerns have been raised that the issuance of a sewage sludge storage facility permit has not been interpreted to require a similar approval mechanism.
Accordingly, Senate Bill 208/House Bill 165 (both passed) require a sewage sludge storage facility to meet the same zoning and land use requirements that are imposed currently on sewage sludge composting facilities. This will ensure that both sludge composting facilities and sludge storage facilities have consistent permitting requirements.
The bills prohibit the Maryland Department of the Environment from issuing a sewage sludge storage facility permit until the facility meets all relevant zoning and land use requirements of the county where the storage facility is to be located. This legislation is intended to provide clarification that the State did not intend to preempt local zoning authority concerning the siting of sewage sludge storage facilities.
Potomac River
In light of the expectant growth of the Washington Metropolitan Area, legislation was introduced during the 1999 Session in an effort to assess future water supply and demand issues facing the nontidal portion of the Potomac River Basin. Senate Bill 582/House Bill 615 (both failed) would have required the Secretary of the Environment to begin a comprehensive assessment of the future water supplies and demands of the nontidal portion of the Potomac River Basin on or before July 1, 1999. The Secretary was to coordinate the study with other federal and State units, including the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River. The report was to include a summary of ongoing water quality studies pertaining to the Potomac River Basin and their status.
In addition, the bills would have prohibited the Secretary of the Environment from granting a waterway construction permit to any person to construct a water intake pipe in the Potomac River before six months after the submission of the study to the General Assembly unless: (1) the pipe is a replacement pipe; (2) the pipe is unable to be used concurrently with the pipe currently in use; (3) the pipe does not have the capacity to withdraw from the Potomac River an amount of water that exceeds the amount of water the person is authorized to withdraw under the water appropriation permit by more than 5 mgd; and (4) the pipe is placed not less than 30 inches below the water surface at the river's historic low flow.
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT TASK FORCE
The Solid Waste Management Task Force was created by Governor Glendening by Executive Order on January 23, 1998 to review and evaluate existing solid waste management strategies and policies and make recommendations for the development, planning, and implementation of a long-range solid waste management policy.
One issue explored by the task force was the concerns of citizens regarding the siting of landfills and transportation of waste in neighborhoods. In particular, the concerns focused on potential threats to health, property, and the environment. Citizens requested additional opportunities to participate in solid waste management planning and siting in their communities. Senate Bill 599 (Ch. 46) addresses the recommendation of the task force to increase public notice and participation in the permitting process.
Senate Bill 599 requires that an applicant for an incinerator for public use or landfill system provide record owners of real property located within 1,000 feet of the proposed site with notice of the application, the informational meeting, and hearings by certified mail and post notice of the informational meeting and hearings in a conspicuous place at the proposed site.
DREDGING
Under current law, the open water placement of dredge spoil is only allowed in the vicinity of Poole's Island. Dredge spoils are collected as a result of the need to periodically dredge the bottom of the major approach channels to the port, and the Port of Baltimore itself, to ensure that these waterways are deep enough to allow the container ships which comprise a majority of the port's business to enter and exit without scraping the bottom. Several bills were introduced during the 1999 Session in response to the proposed plan by the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deposit up to 18 million yards of dredge spoil in an open water site, known as "Site 104", just north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge near Kent Island. House Bill 622 (passed) requires the Governor to appoint a 12-member Kent Island Citizens Oversight Committee, subject to the approval of the members of the General Assembly of the 36th district. The committee is to: (1) consult with MPA regarding the redeposit of dredge spoils off the shores of Kent Island, Queen Anne's County; (2) monitor the redeposit of dredge spoils off the shores of Kent Island; and (3) hear and respond to complaints lodged by any person affected by the redeposit of dredge spoils in the waters off Kent Island.
Other bills, including Senate Bill 325/House Bill 756, House Bill 624, and House Bill 954 (all failed) would have prohibited the placement of dredge spoil in open water.
House Joint Resolution 14 (failed) is another of several bills that were introduced in the 1999 Session relating to the disposal of dredge spoils. This joint resolution would have urged the President of the United States and the Secretary of the Department of Defense to consider Aberdeen Proving Ground in the planning and disposal of dredge spoil that has been removed from Maryland's extensive shipping channels in and around the Port of Baltimore.
MINING
Under current law, open-pit mining, strip mining, and surface coal mining are terms used interchangeably to mean the mining or recovery of bituminous coal. It includes removing the strata or material which overlies or is above the coal deposit or seam in its natural condition, or any other recovery of coal by methods other than deep-mining, and land affected by such activities. Incidental extraction of coal occurs on an infrequent basis. The incidental removal of coal for commercial use is prohibited without first obtaining a surface coal mining permit. House Bill 363 (passed) is intended to authorize the beneficial use of coal found within sandstone and clay quarries in Allegany and Garrett Counties.
House Bill 363 changes the definitions of open-pit mining, strip mining, and surface coal mining to exclude the incidental extraction of coal at a level that does not exceed, within any calendar year, 16 2/3% of the total cumulative production of coal and other minerals from a mining area for the purposes of bona fide sale or reasonable commercial use.
AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION
The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program preserves land for agricultural use by purchasing perpetual easements from landowners. The landowner retains use of the land for agricultural purposes but may not use the land in a manner incompatible with agriculture. Since the program's inception over 20 years ago, approximately 150,000 acres have been preserved.
Contract Purchasers
A landowner is authorized to petition the county governments for establishment of an agricultural district. If their land is located in an agricultural district, landowners may offer to sell an easement to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF). House Bill 669 (passed) allows a contract purchaser, in conjunction with a landowner, to sell an easement to MALPF. This type of sale would allow a contract purchaser to use easement proceeds as a down payment. House Bill 669 terminates in five years.
Easements
Under current law, MALPF must rank easement sale applications based on the asking price and the State easement value. House Bill 457 (passed) authorizes county governments to rank applications for easement sales based on locally established priorities as approved by MALPF. By ranking the easement applications, counties can help MALPF identify the most valuable easements. As a result, MALPF can purchase easements that coincide with each county's development plans.
Sand and Gravel Pilot Program
Sand and gravel extraction is not allowed in land in the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program. Senate Bill 572 (passed) authorizes MALPF to establish a pilot sand and gravel extraction program for lands subject to easement. The pilot program, which may operate in a maximum of three agricultural districts, may include an assessment of the compatibility of extraction and agricultural activities. Senate Bill 572 terminates in five years.
SOIL CONSERVATION AND WATER QUALITY
Use of Information
Soil conservation districts and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NCRS) help farmers write individualized soil conservation and water quality plans. House Bill 706 (passed) requires the soil conservation districts to maintain information from the plans in a manner that protects the farmers' privacy. Under this bill, the districts are also required to provide the plans to the Department of the Environment for water quality compliance or enforcement problems and to the Department of Agriculture for statistical purposes.
Cost Sharing
The Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost Share (MACS) Program provides grants to agricultural landowners to share the cost of installing conservation practices on farms. Eligible projects must address water quality problems related to agricultural activities. House Bill 67 (Ch. 62) increases the maximum State match from $50,000 to $75,000. This increase is intended to encourage greater participation by farmers and move the State closer to addressing the water quality concerns associated with farming activities.
Animal Waste Technology Fund
The Animal Waste Technology Fund provides funds for research, development, implementation, or market development of technology intended to reduce nutrients in animal waste, alter the composition of animal waste, develop alternative waste management strategies, or the use of animal waste in a production process. House Bill 1106 (passed) clarifies that projects to add phytase or similar enzymes to chicken feed, which began on or after July 1, 1997, are eligible to receive funding from the Animal Waste Technology Fund.
INTEGRATED PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT
During the last several sessions, the General Assembly has considered pesticide application and notification at public schools and child care centers and the development of Integrated Pesticide Management (IPM) programs by local school boards. An agreement was reached last session in Chapter 461 of 1998 which required each county board of education to develop and implement an IPM in each primary and secondary public school in the county. Additionally, the legislation required each public school to notify parents, guardians, and staff of pesticide applications. In the 1999 session, the General Assembly considered several legislative initiatives to expand the law enacted in 1998.
Whereas the IPM and notification requirements only apply to pesticide applications inside school buildings, Senate Bill 149 (passed) makes these requirements applicable to pesticide applications outside of the school building on school grounds. Additionally, House Bill 507 (failed) would have required an owner or operator of a child care facility to notify staff members and children's parents of pesticide applications, including the planned dates and general location of application at least 48 hours before the application.
STATE TOBACCO AUTHORITY
The Maryland Tobacco Authority is responsible for regulating the sale of leaf tobacco in Maryland. Under current law, the authority can revoke or suspend the license of a seller or buyer who commits a violation. However, the tobacco market season is short and often ends before a sanction can be imposed. House Bill 469 (Ch. 95) addresses this concern by authorizing the authority to impose a fine of up to $5,000 for violations.
DAIRY INDUSTRY
While dairy production constitutes the third largest sector of the State's agricultural industry, it has experienced a slowdown in recent years. The average price received by farmers for milk products has fluctuated significantly in the last decade. This instability has placed considerable fiscal stress on Maryland's dairy farmers. In addition, the federal minimum dairy price has not been high enough in recent years to fully cover the cost of producing milk on family-sized farms in the mid-Atlantic and northeast regions of the country, forcing many dairy farmers out of business. House Bill 983 (passed) establishes a four-year Dairy Farm Nutrient and Business Management Program which will provide business and management assistance and education to dairy farmers.
INDUSTRIAL HEMP
Industrial hemp is a crop that can be used to produce textiles, ropes, cellulose plastics, resins, particle board, paper products, and oil. Both industrial hemp and marijuana are derived from the Cannibis sativa plant. However, marijuana comes from the leaves and flowers and contains significantly higher levels of tetrahydrocannibinol, the chemical responsible for marijuana's psychoactive properties. House Bill 374 (failed) would have required the Maryland Department of Agriculture to authorize growth, maintenance, and manufacture of industrial hemp and regeneration of seed for growth of industrial hemp. Several other states have considered similar legislation, but interpretation of federal law regarding marijuana has raised barriers to legislation allowing growth of industrial hemp.