In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Commission” means the Herring Run Public Watershed Association Commission. “Herring Run Watershed” means the land and water area from which all water drains, directly or indirectly, to and from the Herring Run. “Herring Run Watershed” includes Herring Run, West Herring Run, Chinquapin Run, Moores Run, and Armistead Creek. “Watershed” means the Herring Run Watershed.

There is a Herring Run Public Watershed Association. The Association is composed of: The State; Baltimore City; and Baltimore County.

There is a Herring Run Public Watershed Association Commission. The Commission is composed of: The Secretary of Natural Resources or the Secretary’s designee; The Secretary of the Environment or the Secretary’s designee; The Secretary of Planning or the Secretary’s designee; 2 members from Baltimore City selected by the Mayor of Baltimore City; 2 members from Baltimore County selected by the County Executive of Baltimore County; and 2 members selected by the Baltimore Regional Planning Council. Of the 6 county and city members, there shall be at least: 1 member of the county or city legislative body; and 1 member of the General Assembly of Maryland. The Commission shall appoint an advisory committee composed of interested citizens and determine the number, terms, and qualifications of the Commission’s members.

The chairman of the Commission shall be selected from the members of the county and city by a majority vote of the entire Commission. The members shall meet at the chairman’s request at least annually or any time at the request of a quorum of members of the county or city. A quorum consists of 5 members. A majority vote of the full Commission is necessary to approve any action.

With respect to water quality, the Commission shall advise and make recommendations in accordance with the Baltimore metropolitan water quality management plan, as prepared and adopted in accordance with 33 U.S.C. § 1288 (Section 2 of the federal Water Pollution Control Act amendments of 1972). With respect to flood hazard areas and watershed management as defined in the Maryland Flood Hazard Management Act of 1976, the Commission shall proceed in accordance with that act. The Commission shall cooperate with State, regional, and local agencies and their respective programs, plans, and procedures with respect to: Flood damage reduction; Water quality improvements; Municipal and industrial water supplies; Recreation, fish, wildlife, and esthetic improvement; and Soil conservation and watershed and forested land management. With respect to all other recommendations and plans, including those relating to esthetics, conservation, erosion control, recreation and other improvements, the Commission shall proceed in accordance with the procedures and policies of the governments whose support or cooperation is required or requested.

Funding and staffing of the Commission may be apportioned among the county, city, and State agencies as recommended by the Commission and as provided in their respective budgets.