CRITICAL AREAS COMMISSION
 

    We recommend that the membership of the Critical Areas Commission be comprised of at least 50% farmers who own property within 1,000 feet of the critical area.’07

    Due to the impact on the agricultural community, we urge county governments to work with their county Farm Bureaus when they develop their local programs.

    We are opposed to the inclusion of upstream tributaries and non-tidal water into the Critical Areas Program.’07

    We support legislation that would require the state to compensate, at the fair market value, Maryland property owners who are monetarily affected by the Critical Area Legislation and/or the Endangered Species Act.

    The inability to harvest timber in the critical areas is creating an inequitable financial loss for the landowner. We recommend that the landowner be compensated for this loss.’07

    We are concerned about exemptions granted within the Critical Area for marinas and other recreational water related activities.