(a) Use of funds. -- The Secretary shall use the funds credited to the endangered species account under § 1-703 of this subtitle only to promote the conservation, propagation, and habitat protection of nongame, threatened or endangered species, including:
(1) The acquisition, through absolute purchase or the purchase of easements, of habitats necessary to conserve, protect, or propagate nongame, threatened or endangered species;
(2) The monitoring, surveying, and protection of nest sites of bald eagles, Delmarva fox squirrels, peregrine falcons, and piping plovers;
(3) The promotion of voluntary protection of habitat for threatened and endangered species by monitoring information and management assistance to private landowners;
(4) The initiation of surveys and recovery programs, including habitat restoration or protection, for other threatened or endangered species;
(5) The protection of threatened or endangered species in natural heritage areas identified under the Natural Heritage Program;
(6) The surveying of nongame birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians not currently receiving review, particularly those species whose population status is questionable, such as the bog turtle;
(7) The development and implementation of an urban wildlife program to provide individuals in urban and suburban areas the opportunity to observe wildlife; and
(8) The development and implementation of a public education and information program to educate the public and school children about wildlife and habitat conservation.
(b) Solicitation of advice and recommendations. -- (1) In developing the wildlife conservation programs under this section, the Secretary shall solicit the advice of the Threatened and Endangered Species Committee established in the Department.
(2) The Secretary shall obtain recommendations from the Natural Heritage Program in the Department as to implementation of threatened and endangered species conservation programs under this section.
CREDIT(S)
Added by Acts 1988, c. 583, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989.