WHEREAS the Maryland Eastern Shore is one of the last great Chesapeake Bay landscapes, with a distinct natural, historical, cultural, and economic character and quality of life; and

WHEREAS the Maryland Eastern Shore landscape, quality of life, and resource-based economy are threatened by growing development pressure; and

WHEREAS the future of the Maryland Eastern Shore, including the management of growth and development, enhancement of our resource-based economies, protection of our land, vitality of our towns, and definition of our growth centers, substantially involve the interests of the undersigned counties.

THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the undersigned counties agree to work cooperatively to maintain and enhance the Maryland Eastern Shore through this regional partnership, recognizing the need for innovative solutions and shared goals to protect our unique region, and to achieve the commitments set forth.

We will work cooperatively towards the following goals:

• Strive to protect from development through the use of voluntary preservation programs 50% of Eastern Shore land outside of locally-designated growth areas by 2010.
• Recognize our resource-based economy as a key part of the Eastern Shore heritage and future by integrating agriculture, fisheries, and forestry into each county's economic development plan by 2005.
• Work with existing communities to guide at least 50% of new annual development into locally-designated growth areas by 2005.
• Develop a regional transportation plan that integrates the use of public transportation and alternative modes of transport within and among communities by 2010.*

Signed by

* Cecil County will not collaborate towards this goal due to its unique transportation issues.