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§ 3-201. Maryland Environmental Trust

West's Annotated Code of MarylandNatural ResourcesEffective: July 1, 2022

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Natural Resources
Title 3. Environmental Programs (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 2. Maryland Environmental Trust (Refs & Annos)
Effective: July 1, 2022
MD Code, Natural Resources, § 3-201
§ 3-201. Maryland Environmental Trust
Currentness
Purpose of Trust
(a)(1) There is a Maryland Environmental Trust established to conserve, improve, stimulate, and perpetuate the aesthetic, natural, health and welfare, scenic, and cultural qualities of the environment, including, but not limited to land, water, air, wildlife, scenic qualities, open spaces, buildings or any interest therein, and other appurtenances pertaining in any way to the State.
(2) Through educational and other means, the Trust shall encourage and motivate the populace of the State and others to do so and shall promote continuing interest in and the study of these matters.
(3) The purpose of the Trust is of general benefit to the citizens of the State, and it is charitable in nature.
Perpetual existence of Trust
(b) The Trust has perpetual existence subject to modification or termination by the General Assembly if necessary to effectuate its purpose or when and if its substantial purpose ceases.
Easements related to ecosystem services
(c)(1) In this subsection, “ecosystem services” includes:
(i) Climate resilience;
(ii) Carbon sequestration;
(iii) The provision of wildlife habitat;
(iv) Contributions to forest health; and
(v) The protection or restoration of wetlands.
(2) An easement approved by the Trust may allow for the potential of economic return from the protection, management, maintenance, or improvement of ecosystem services provided by the property, so long as the Trust determines those uses do not impair or interfere with the conservation values and purposes of the easement and are otherwise consistent with the Trust's policies related to ecosystem services.

Credits

Added by Acts 1973, 1st Sp. Sess., c. 4, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1977, c. 784, § 5; Acts 2022, c. 237, § 1, eff. July 1, 2022; Acts 2022, c. 238, § 1, eff. July 1, 2022.
Formerly Art. 41, §§ 181L, 181M.
MD Code, Natural Resources, § 3-201, MD NAT RES § 3-201
Current with legislation effective through July 1, 2023, from the 2023 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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