Matters relating to planning and zoning are governed by both State and County laws. The Maryland Forest Conservation Act, for example, requires all county governments to adopt local forest conservation programs (Chapter 255, Acts of 1991; Code Natural Resources Article, secs. 5-1601 through 5-1613).
Under the Department are six units: Agriculture, and Enforcement and Zoning; Inspections and Permits; Long-Range Planning; Site Planning; Subdivision Planning; and Transportation Planning. The Department also is aided by the Environmental Commission, the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board, the Agricultural Reconciliation Committee, and the Planning Commission.
AGRICULTURE
The Advisory Board is composed of five members who are appointed to five-year terms by the Board of County Commissioners (Code Agriculture Article, sec. 2-504.1; County Code, sec. 12-101).
AGRICULTURAL RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE
The Committee consists of five members who are appointed to three-year terms by the Board of County Commissioners.
Authorized in 1996, the Agricultural Reconciliation Committee arbitrates and mediates disputes involving agricultural operations conducted on agricultural lands. The Committee issues opinions on whether such operations conform with generally accepted agricultural management practices.
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