(a) The Secretary shall use the funds credited to the endangered species
account under § 1-703 of this subtitle only to promote the
conservation, propagation, and habitat protection of nongame,
threatened or endangered species, including:
(1) The acquisition, through absolute purchase or the purchase of
easements, of habitats necessary to conserve, protect, or propagate
nongame, threatened or endangered species;
(2) The monitoring, surveying, and protection of nest sites of bald eagles,
Delmarva fox squirrels, peregrine falcons, and piping plovers;
(3) The promotion of voluntary protection of habitat for threatened and
endangered species by monitoring information and management assistance
to private landowners;
(4) The initiation of surveys and recovery programs, including habitat
restoration or protection, for other threatened or endangered species;
(5) The protection of threatened or endangered species in natural heritage
areas identified under the Natural Heritage Program;
(6) The surveying of nongame birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians not
currently receiving review, particularly those species whose population
status is questionable, such as the bog turtle;
(7) The development and implementation of an urban wildlife program to
provide individuals in urban and suburban areas the opportunity to
observe wildlife; and
(8) The development and implementation of a public education and
information program to educate the public and school children about
wildlife and habitat conservation.
(b) (1) In developing the wildlife conservation programs under this section,
the Secretary shall solicit the advice of the Threatened and Endangered
Species Committee established in the Department.
(2) The Secretary shall obtain recommendations from the Natural Heritage
Program in the Department as to implementation of threatened and
endangered species conservation programs under this
section.
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