The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for conserving and enhancing the natural resources of Maryland. It aims to protect these resources for the present and future generations by promoting its wise use. The DNR was established pursuant to Md. NATURAL RESOURCES Code Ann. § 1-101. It is responsible for conserving the state’s parks, public lands, waterways, forests, and other recreational locations.
Pursuant to Md. NATURAL RESOURCES Code Ann. § 1-101, some of the duties that the DNR is required to perform are:
a) Coordinating natural resources activities within the State of Maryland.
b) Reviewing and evaluating natural resources plans of various agencies/institution. It is responsible for reviewing policies of both state and federal agencies.
c) Acting as a hub for collecting and organizing information on natural resources. Such information is used for the guidance of the governor and the General Assembly.
d) Unifying, consolidating, and disseminating policies, plans, programs, and practices related to wildlife preservation to ensure the greatest benefits to its citizens.
The head of the DNR is the Secretary of Natural Resources (“Secretary”). The governor with the advice and consent of the Senate appoints the Secretary[i]. Any person with administrative ability and whose reputation shows that s/he is interested in the field of natural resources protection can be appointed as the Secretary. The activities of the DNR are mainly consolidated under the Secretary.
Md. NATURAL RESOURCES Code Ann. § 1-104 lists the duties and responsibilities of the Secretary. Some of them are:
a) Developing coordinated policies for the preservation, conservation, enhancement, wise use, and perpetuation of the natural resources of Maryland.
b) Coordinating activities of the units/divisions within the DNR and settling disputes that may arise among the units/divisions.
c) Providing a forum for communication among natural resources units.
d) Studying and evaluating plans and policies of various divisions/units and making recommendations to provide more effective administration.
e) Reviewing legislations, policies, and programs that may affect natural resources in the state and making recommendations to federal, state, and local agencies and institutions, regarding procedures for the coordination of these programs.
f) Studying natural resource activities of the different subdivisions of Maryland and making recommendations to co-ordinate such activities.
g) Maintaining a natural resources library to provide information on the state’s natural resources.
h) Providing technical assistance to various institutions of the state to conduct its leisure and recreational activities.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
[i] Md. NATURAL RESOURCES Code Ann. § 1-101.
