Md. Code, Natural Resources § 5-1504
This is the official text of Md. Code, Natural Resources § 5-1504, part of Maryland’s Code, Natural Resources — governs parks, wildlife, and natural resource management.
Not legal advice. This page reproduces the official text of a government statute for reference only. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.
§5–1504.
Official statutory text
(a) The Department shall manage land or interests in land acquired under this subtitle to ensure:
(1) The continued existence of any unique ecological features;
(2) The continued survival of any rare, threatened, or endangered plant or animal;
(3) The protection of forestlands and wetlands, although timber harvesting may be allowed under an approved forest conservation plan; and
(4) The protection of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and of water quality anywhere in the State.
(b) To the extent compatible with the management requirements of subsection (a) of this section, the Department may permit recreational opportunities, including access to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries:
(1) Where feasible; and
(2) Where the recreation will not adversely affect the natural state of the land.
(1) The continued existence of any unique ecological features;
(2) The continued survival of any rare, threatened, or endangered plant or animal;
(3) The protection of forestlands and wetlands, although timber harvesting may be allowed under an approved forest conservation plan; and
(4) The protection of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and of water quality anywhere in the State.
(b) To the extent compatible with the management requirements of subsection (a) of this section, the Department may permit recreational opportunities, including access to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries:
(1) Where feasible; and
(2) Where the recreation will not adversely affect the natural state of the land.
Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site
Need a lawyer in Maryland?
Find a Maryland lawyer
About this page: Statute text is reproduced from official government publishers via the
Open US Law dataset
(Vaquill AI, snapshot v2026.08, CC BY 4.0). Primary legislative text like this is public domain under the government-edicts doctrine
(Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). We link every section back to its official source so you can verify it independently.