Natural Resources (GNR) — Title 2. Maryland Geological Survey
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Subtitle 1. Definitions
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 2-101 (2026)
Title 2. Maryland Geological Survey
Subtitle 1. Definitions
§ 2–101LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Commission” means Commission of the Maryland Geological Survey.
(c)
“Department” means Department of Natural Resources.
(d)
“Fund” means the Maryland Geological Survey Fund established under § 2–205 of this title.
(e)
“Paleontology” means the branch of geology that deals with prehistoric forms of life through the study of plant and animal fossils.
(f)
“Secretary” means Secretary of Natural Resources.
(g)
“Survey” means Maryland Geological Survey.
Subtitle 2. Organization and Authority of Maryland Geological Survey and Commission of Maryland Geological Survey
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 2-201 (2026)
Title 2. Maryland Geological Survey
Subtitle 2. Organization and Authority of Maryland Geological Survey and Commission of Maryland Geological Survey
§ 2–201LinkCopy Citation
(a)
There is a Maryland Geological Survey in the Department.
(b)
The Governor, with the advice of the Secretary, shall appoint the Director of the Survey. The Director shall hold office under and subject to the provisions of § 1-101(d) of this article. He shall be a person with executive ability, and special training and experience in handling problems in the fields of geology and water resources.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 2-202 (2026)
Title 2. Maryland Geological Survey
Subtitle 2. Organization and Authority of Maryland Geological Survey and Commission of Maryland Geological Survey
§ 2–202LinkCopy Citation
The Survey shall:
(1)
Conduct topographic, geologic, hydrographic, and geophysical surveys;
(2)
Prepare topographic, geologic, and other types of maps to meet specific needs;
(3)
Prepare reports on the extent and character of the State’s geology, mineral, and water resources; and
(4)
Periodically assess the paleontological resources of the State and coordinate the assessment with interested persons and public agencies.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 2-203 (2026)
Title 2. Maryland Geological Survey
Subtitle 2. Organization and Authority of Maryland Geological Survey and Commission of Maryland Geological Survey
§ 2–203LinkCopy Citation
The Director of the Survey shall exercise any power or duty and general supervision over matters conferred upon the Survey by law, subject to the authority of the Secretary.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 2-204 (2026)
Title 2. Maryland Geological Survey
Subtitle 2. Organization and Authority of Maryland Geological Survey and Commission of Maryland Geological Survey
§ 2–204LinkCopy Citation
(a)
There is a Commission of the Maryland Geological Survey in the Survey. It consists of five members appointed by the Secretary from among citizens of the State who have character, ability, and active interest in the proper development, use, and conservation of geologic, mineral, and water resources. The members shall select their own chairman. A member’s term of office is five years. The Secretary may remove any member for cause, and any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term. A member may not receive compensation for his services, but shall be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses and disbursements made in order to attend any meeting or perform any other official duty.
(b)
The Commission shall advise the Director of the Survey with respect to any matter within the Survey’s jurisdiction.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 2-205 (2026)
Title 2. Maryland Geological Survey
Subtitle 2. Organization and Authority of Maryland Geological Survey and Commission of Maryland Geological Survey
§ 2–205LinkCopy Citation
(a)
There is a Maryland Geological Survey Fund in the Department.
(b)
The purpose of the Fund is to finance the direct and indirect costs of administering this subtitle, including long–term budgeting and planning for Survey projects, procurements, and equipment purchases.
(c)
The Department shall administer the Fund.
(d)
(1)
The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
(2)
The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.
(e)
The Fund consists of:
(1)
Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund;
(2)
Interest earnings; and
(3)
Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.
(f)
The Fund may be used only for:
(1)
Covering the costs of the operation of the Survey;
(2)
Purchasing and maintaining equipment for use by the Department or the Survey;
(3)
Funding projects undertaken and overseen by the Survey;
(4)
Administering this subtitle; and
(5)
Administrative expenses calculated in accordance with § 1–103(b)(2) of this article.
(g)
(1)
The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.
(2)
Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.
(h)
Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.
Subtitle 4. State Boundary Monuments
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 2-401 (2026)
Title 2. Maryland Geological Survey
Subtitle 4. State Boundary Monuments
§ 2–401LinkCopy Citation
Any monument which marks the common boundary between the State and any adjacent state, commonwealth, or district is the joint property of the State and the adjoining state, commonwealth, or district.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 2-402 (2026)
Title 2. Maryland Geological Survey
Subtitle 4. State Boundary Monuments
§ 2–402LinkCopy Citation
The Survey shall examine, at least once every ten years, every monument which marks the boundaries of the State. Whenever the Survey finds the monument is lost, removed, or displaced causing the boundary to become obscure, inaccurate, or incorrect, it shall cooperate with the proper officials and agencies of the adjacent state, commonwealth, or district to replace, restore, or repair the monuments on the common boundary line. The Survey, on behalf of the State, may make any joint agreement or contract with appropriate officials or agencies of any adjacent state, commonwealth, or district, and the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, or any similar disinterested party or agency, to resurvey, remark, or otherwise delineate more clearly any part of any common boundary between the State and any adjacent state, commonwealth, or district. In any resurvey, the present established boundaries of the State shall be preserved with the greatest possible fidelity.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 2-403 (2026)
Title 2. Maryland Geological Survey
Subtitle 4. State Boundary Monuments
§ 2–403LinkCopy Citation
The Survey may enter on any public or private property to examine any boundary monument. However, the Survey may not enter during the growing season on any land planted with crops which might be damaged by any entry.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 2-404 (2026)
Title 2. Maryland Geological Survey
Subtitle 4. State Boundary Monuments
§ 2–404LinkCopy Citation
A person may not move, remove, break, mutilate, deface, destroy, or otherwise injure any monument marking any boundary between the State and any adjacent state, commonwealth, or district. Any person who possesses any monument previously placed, or prepared to be placed, on any State boundary, upon demand by the Survey, shall surrender and deliver the monument to the Survey.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 2-405 (2026)
Title 2. Maryland Geological Survey
Subtitle 4. State Boundary Monuments
§ 2–405LinkCopy Citation
The Natural Resources police officers and forest or park wardens of the State have the power of arrest and other powers necessary to enforce this subtitle.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 2-406 (2026)
Title 2. Maryland Geological Survey
Subtitle 4. State Boundary Monuments
§ 2–406LinkCopy Citation
This section does not require either the Maryland Historical Society or the Historical Society of Pennsylvania to surrender or deliver to the Department the Mason and Dixon Monument placed in the custody of each society by the mutual consent of the State and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1902.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 2-407 (2026)
Title 2. Maryland Geological Survey
Subtitle 4. State Boundary Monuments
§ 2–407LinkCopy Citation
Any person who violates any provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $50 for each offense with costs imposed in the discretion of the court.