Appointed by Governor: John C. Bernstein, M.D.; Gregory A. Bowen; Lee R. Epstein, Esq.; Lloyd C. Jones, Jr.; Thomas A. Mattingly, Sr.; Erroll A. Mattox; Vera M. Schultz; Edward P. Thompson, Jr.; John L. Thompson; Stephen L. Weber.
Appointed by Senate President: Roy P. Dyson; Thomas M. Middleton.
Appointed by House Speaker: Rudolph C. Cane; Paul S. Stull.
Ex officio: Lewis R. Riley, Secretary of Agriculture; James C. DiPaula, Jr., Secretary of Budget & Management; C. Ronald Franks, Secretary of Natural Resources; Audrey E. Scott, Secretary of Planning.
Staff: Joseph Tassone
c/o Planning Services
Dept. of Planning
301 West Preston St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2365
(410) 767-4562
e-mail: jtassone@mdp.state.md.us
In July 2002, the Task Force to Study the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation was created (Chapter 473, Acts of 2002). The Task Force is to study and make recommendations concerning the program, practices, and financial standing of the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (as did a previous task force of the same name created in September 2000).
The present task force will study and recommend guidelines for farmland preservation acreage goals by county; and for designating and certifying priority preservation areas. Recommendations also will cover new sources of funding that target preservation priority areas; increased funding to enable the program to achieve its legislative goals; and creation and funding of a State critical farms program that encourages similar county programs. The Task Force additionally will consider matters relating to tenant houses, easement valuation systems, an installment purchase option, and other changes that strengthen the State's agricultural land preservation program.
Authorization for the Task Force extends to May 31, 2004 (Code Agriculture Article, sec. 2-517).
© Copyright July 09, 2004 Maryland State Archives