DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

DEFUNCT AGENCIES

ADVOCACY TEAM
The Advocacy Team was disbanded in fall 1999.

APPEALS DIVISION
Under Board of Appeals, reorganized as Lower Appeals Division in Oct. 1999.

CHESAPEAKE BAY CRITICAL AREA COMMISSION
Renamed Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays, effective June 1, 2002 (Chapter 433, Acts of 2002).

COUNCIL ON ECOSYSTEM PLANNING & EVALUATION
In Sept. 1999, the Council disbanded.

COUNCIL ON QUALITY & ORGANIZATIONAL INNOVATION
In fall 1999, the Council disbanded.

FOREST, WILDLIFE & HERITAGE SERVICE
Under Resource Management Service, functions divided in Oct. 2001. Two separate units formed as Forest Service, and Wildlife and Heritage Service.

INFORMATION SERVICES
Under Administration, its functions moved in 1997 to Information Technology within the Office of the Secretary.

LAND & WATER CONSERVATION SERVICE
In July 2000, reorganized as Capital Grants and Loans Administration with certain functions retained by Public Lands.

LEGISLATION, REGULATION, & OUTREACH
Under Fisheries Service, renamed Policy and Fisheries Development Division in July 2000.

MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS & AUDITING
Under Management Service, reorganized in Oct. 2001 as Audit Management and Review.

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SERVICE
Under Administration, its functions moved to Information Technology Service within the Office of the Secretary in 1997. Renamed Information Technology Application Service Dec. 1, 2000.

MARYLAND MUTE SWAN TASK FORCE
Edith Thompson, Facilitator (410) 260-8555
Larry J. Hindman, Technical Advisor (410) 827-8612

Appointed by Secretary of Natural Resources: Carol Jane Baker; Eirik A. Blom; Glenn Carowan; Bob Ferris; Susan Hagood; Handel Hutchinson; Donna L. Judge; E. Joseph Lamp, Ph.D.; Kent Mountford, Ph.D.; Roger E. Olson, D.V.M.; Matthew C. Perry, Ph.D.; Michael H. Weir; Phillip R. Wills III.

Ex officio: Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee

At the request of the Governor, the Secretary of Natural Resources with the Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee formed the Maryland Mute Swan Task Force in late 1998. In its final report of Jan. 2001, the Task Force recommended ways of managing mute swans (an exotic, non-native species in Maryland). The burgeoning mute swan population may damage submerged aquatic vegetation and compete for habitat with threatened species of native water birds.

MARYLAND OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION COORDINATING COUNCIL
The Council was reconstituted as the State Workforce Information Committee in 1999.

MARYLAND SNAKEHEAD FISH SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY PANEL
Contact: Robert S. (Steve) Early (410) 260-8267

Appointed by Secretary of Natural Resources:
Donald F. Boesch, Ph.D., Chair
Walter R. Courtenay, Jr., Ph.D.; Mary Fischbach; John Galvez, Ph.D.; William J. Goldsborough; James W. Gracie; Robert Hilderbrand, Ph.D.; Paul T. Jacobson, Ph.D.; Andrew M. Lazur, Ph.D.; Catherine Martin; Carys L. Mitchelmore, Ph.D.; David H. Secor, Ph.D.; Paul Shafland; Robert S. Summers, Ph.D.

In July 2002, the Secretary of Natural Resources convened the Maryland Snakehead Fish Scientific Advisory Panel to advise on options for eliminating the northern snakehead in Maryland. The fish, a non-native invasive species, was found in a pond in Crofton, Anne Arundel County, in May 2002. Its predatory habits made it a threat to native fish species.

In July 2002, the Panel reported to the Secretary. The Panel assessed what risk the northern snakehead fish posed to Maryland species; evaluated (for probability of success and environmental impact) options for eradicating the fish from the Crofton pond; and recommended what action the Department should take. To prevent the introduction of other potentially invasive non-native species into Maryland waters, the Panel also evaluated policy and regulatory options and made recommendations for legislation by September 1, 2002. While the Department implemented its control strategies for the northern snakehead fish, the Panel remained available for further advice.

On August 18, 2002, State wildlife biologists began applying herbicides to eradicate the northern snakeheads in the Crofton ponds. Then rotenone was used, followed by electroshock treatment, and a neutralizing agent. By September 17, 2002, all snakeheads were believed to be dead, but the Department plans further monitoring.

POLICY COORDINATION
The position of Assistant Secretary for Policy Coordination ended in 1998.

RESEARCH VESSEL DISCOVERY
Renamed Research Vessel Kerhin on Aug. 24, 1999, in memory of Randall T. Kerhin, a former geologist with the Maryland Geological Survey.

SMART GROWTH & NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION
On July 1, 2001, moved to Office of Smart Growth.

TASK FORCE ON NON-LETHAL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
Staff: Mary Goldie (410) 260-8546

Steven J. Kastoroom, Chair (chosen by Task Force)

Appointed by Senate President: one vacancy

Appointed by House Speaker: Sharon M. Grosfeld

Appointed by Secretary of Natural Resources: Lowell W. Adams, Ph.D.; Theresa Chonoski; Cindy P. Driscoll, D.V.M.; Martha E. Gagnon, Ph.D.; Rob Gibbs; Scott Healey; Steven J. Kastoroom; Jonathan S. Kays; Timothy Lambert; Michael Markarian; Pat McElroy; Marvin Tenberg; Gerald W. Winegrad.

Ex officio: Carolyn V. Watson, designee of Secretary of Natural Resources

The Task Force on Non-Lethal Wildlife Management was formed by the Department of Natural Resources in November 2000. The Task Force studied scientific research that documents the effectiveness of wildlife management techniques used by wildlife agencies. It assessed Maryland's wildlife management policies and the causes of conflict between the State's humans and wildlife, particularly deer, bear, beaver, Canadian geese, and mute swans. The Task Force also made recommendations on how to fund and implement non-lethal wildlife management initiatives.

On January 18, 2002, the Task Force reported to the Governor and General Assembly.

WATERWAY RESOURCES DIVISION
Under Chesapeake and Coastal Watershed Service, renamed Waterway and Greenways Division in Oct. 1999.

Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
Maryland Departments
Maryland Independent Agencies
Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards
Maryland Universities & Colleges
Maryland Counties
Maryland Municipalities
Maryland at a Glance

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e-mail: mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us