Sec. 08.01.07.02. Chesapeake Forest Lands

A. Purpose. In accordance with Natural Resources Article, §§5-207 and 5-903(2)(i), Annotated Code of Maryland, a group of lands has been acquired by the Department with Program Open Space funds and through the gift of lands. These lands were acquired specifically to be retained as working forest, producing forest products to help maintain local employment, to protect outdoor recreational values, and for other environmental benefits for the local communities on Maryland's Eastern Shore. None of these areas has been accorded a formal land unit designation and existing land unit designations do not fulfill the purposes for which these lands were acquired.

B. This chapter:

(1) Establishes a new official land unit designation, Chesapeake Forest Lands; and

(2) Is intended to remedy the concerns set forth in §A of this regulation.

C. Chesapeake Forest Lands-Composition. Chesapeake Forest Lands comprise:

(1) The units in §D of this regulation, as delineated on maps filed by the Office of the Secretary; and

(2) Other State lands that in the future may be given or purchased in whole or part with Program Open Space funds or other funds targeted for sustainable forestry.

D. Chesapeake Forest Lands are comprised of over 60,000 acres in various tracts in the following six counties: Caroline, Talbot, Dorchester, Wicomico, Worchester, and Somerset, including the Wicomico Demonstration Forest located in Wicomico County, Seth Demonstration Forest located in Talbot County, and the Fred W. Besley Demonstration Forest, named after Maryland’s first State Forester, located in Dorchester County. Maps indicating size and location of each tract are maintained on file in the office of the forest manager for Chesapeake Forest Lands.