§5–501.

    (a)    In order to conserve, protect, and use water resources of the State in accordance with the best interests of the people of Maryland, it is the policy of the State to control, so far as feasible, appropriation or use of surface waters and groundwaters of the State. Also, it is State policy to promote public safety and welfare and control and supervise, so far as is feasible, construction, reconstruction, and repair of dams, reservoirs, and other waterworks in any waters of the State.

    (b)    (1)    In accordance with the policy declared in this section, and provided that it will not jeopardize the State’s natural resources, when appropriating groundwater of the State in Carroll, Frederick, or Washington counties, the Department may give priority to a public water system that provides water to:

            (i)    A municipal corporation, not including those areas annexed after January 1, 2000; or

            (ii)    A priority funding area established on or before January 1, 2000, under § 5–7B–02(6) of the State Finance and Procurement Article.

        (2)    The Department may adopt regulations to implement this subsection.

    (c)    This subtitle is in addition to and not in substitution for any existing laws of the State.