This subtitle applies only to land owned by the State as a result of the relationship of the land to the waters of the State. This subtitle does not: affect the title to interests conveyed by the State before July 1, 1970, by a valid grant, lease, or patent or a grant confirmed by Article 5 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights; prohibit the execution of a conveyance for which application was made and approved by the Board before July 1, 1970; deprive any riparian owner or proprietor of any riparian rights, privilege, or enjoyment that the owner or proprietor had before July 1, 1970; or affect §§ 3-101 and 3-102 of the Natural Resources Article of the Code of Public Local Laws of Worcester County.

The Board may not convey any title to land covered by this subtitle to any person other than the riparian owner or proprietor of the land abutting the land conveyed. The Board may convey title to land covered by this subtitle only after seeking the advice of: the Department of Natural Resources; appropriate agricultural agencies, including: the Maryland Agricultural Commission; the agricultural stabilization and conservation committee of the county in which the land lies; and the soil conservation district committee of the county in which the land lies; and other interested federal and State agencies. Before the Board may convey title to land covered by this subtitle, the Board shall: hold a public hearing, after proper notice, in the county in which the land lies; and issue a written decision that justifies the action of the Board, taking into account the best interests of the State with respect to the varying ecological, economic, developmental, agricultural, recreational, and aesthetic values of the area under consideration. The written decision issued under this subsection shall be kept among the permanent records of the Board and be open to public inspection.