Sec. 32-220. Application Processing Procedures for the Department
Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 32-220 (2026)
Sec. 32-220. Application Processing Procedures for the DepartmentLinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Department shall acknowledge receipt of the application in writing, within ten (10) days by fax or regular mail.
(b)
The Department shall consider an application complete if it contains all of the information required under Section 32-119 and is sufficient for the Department to process the application.
(c)
The Department shall notify an applicant for a permit in writing, within 45 days of receipt of an application stating whether the application is complete and the wetland delineation correct.
(1)
If the application is incomplete or information submitted is insufficient, the Department shall notify the applicant, in writing, of the additional information needed.
(2)
If the wetland delineation is incorrect, the Department shall so notify the applicant and require the applicant to correct the delineation.
(d)
If the Department fails to notify an applicant of the need for additional information and/or correction of the wetland delineation within 45 days of receipt of the application, the application shall be considered complete and the delineation correct.
(e)
The Department, upon written notice to the applicant, may extend the 45 day time period when at least one of the following extenuating circumstances prevent consideration of the application:
(1)
Inclement weather conditions;
(2)
Review required by Federal or State agencies; or
(3)
Additional information must be submitted by the applicant to clarify or complete the information in the application.
(f)
Public Notice.
(1)
After the Department has determined that an application is complete and the wetland delineation is correct, the Department shall issue, at the applicant's expense, a public notice of an opportunity to submit written comments or request a public informational hearing about the application. The time period for submitting written comments or requesting a hearing shall not exceed 30 days. Public notice and a public informational hearing may not be required for activities that qualify for a Letter of Authorization under Section 32-226.
(2)
The public notice shall contain:
(A)
The name and address of the applicant;
(B)
A description of the nature and location of the proposed project;
(C)
A description of the proposed mitigation plan, if applicable.
(D)
Instructions of how to submit written comments, request a public informational hearing, and/or how to place one's name on the interested person's mailing list;
(E)
The expiration date for the opportunity to comment on the wetland delineation or to request a public informational hearing regarding same;
(F)
A statement that any further notices concerning actions on the application will be provided only by mail to those persons on the interested persons mailing list; and
(G)
The name, address and telephone number of person in the Department from which information about the application may be obtained.
(3)
The public may be notified by any of the following methods:
(A)
Selected mailing to Federal, State, County, or municipal authorities; persons on the interested persons mailing list; and adjacent property owners;
(B)
Publication for at least one (1) business day in a newspaper of record;
(C)
Joint notice with other Federal, State or County agencies; or
(D)
Joint notice with other units or programs within the Department.
(4)
The Department shall provide MDNR with a copy of the public notice for any completed application.
(g)
Public Informational hearing.
(1)
Any interested person may request, in writing, a public informational hearing.
(2)
If requested, a public informational hearing shall be held within 45 days of the expiration date specified in the public notice. The Department shall mail the notice specifying the location, date and time of the public informational hearing to those persons on the interested person's mailing list.
(3)
The Department may extend the time period for the public informational hearing for the following extenuating circumstances:
(A)
Circumstances listed in subsection (e); or
(B)
A request by an applicant.
(4)
The Director may hold a public informational hearing and shall be designated as the presiding official.
(5)
An applicant and any interested person shall be given an opportunity at the public informational hearing to present facts and make statements for or against granting the permit. Questions may be asked of, and directed to, the presiding official, but cross examination may not be conducted. The hearing is not a contested case hearing.
(6)
The presiding official may determine the order of presentation of comments and questions at the public informational hearing. The public informational hearing may be conducted in the following order:
(A)
Introduction by the Department.
(B)
Presentation or proposed project by the applicant;
(C)
Comments and questions by public officials;
(D)
Comments and questions by other persons; and
(E)
Closing of the public informational hearing by the presiding official;
(7)
The presiding official has the authority and duty to:
(A)
Conduct a full and fair public informational hearing;
(B)
Act to avoid unnecessary delay and to maintain order; and
(C)
Regulate the course of the public informational hearing and the conduct of the participants.
(8)
The presiding official shall prepare an official record of the public informational hearing.
(9)
The official record of the public informational hearing may not be transcribed unless the Department, the applicant, or a participant in the hearing requests a transcript. Costs of transcription shall be paid by the person requesting the transcript.
(h)
In calculating any time period provided for in this Ordinance, if the last day falling within the tome period falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a County or State holiday, the time period will be extended until the next normal business day.
(i)
Letter of Authorization.
(1)
Within 45 days of the Department's determination that the application is complete and the wetland delineation correct, the Department shall notify the applicant, in writing, whether the activity qualifies for a Letter of Authorization and, if so, what best management practices, if any, will be required.
(2)
The Department's Letter of Authorization shall be void if the information submitted is later shown to have been false, misleading or inaccurate. The Department shall pursue an appropriate enforcement action under Section 32-236 as to any activities that have been undertaken under the void Letter of Authorization.
(3)
If the Department determines that the proposed activity does not qualify for a Letter of Authorization, it shall notify the applicant of the need to apply for a permit under Section 32-219.
(4)
The Department shall specify in the Letter of Authorization the time period for which it is valid.
(5)
If an applicant applies for a Letter of Authorization and a permit, the Department may withhold its decision on the Letter of Authorization pending a final permit decision.
(j)
Interested person's mailing list. Upon written request, the Department may add additional names to the list. Those wishing to have their names placed on the list may send a written request to the Department.