<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section number="32-224" name="Water Quality and Watershed Management Plans" law="code" slug="sec-32-224" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_32WAREPRGRCO_DIV5NOWEPROR_S32-224WAQUWAMAPL">
  <level label="a">
    <text>To meet the requirements of Section 32-222(a)(3), a regulated activity may not:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>As determined by the Department, MDNR or MDE, cause an individual or cumulative effect that degrades:</text>
      <level label="A">
        <text>Aquatic ecosystem diversity, productivity and stability;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="B">
        <text>Plankton, fish, shellfish and wildlife;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="C">
        <text>Recreational and economic values; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="D">
        <text>Public welfare; or</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>As determined by MDE or the Department, cause an individual or cumulative effect that;</text>
      <level label="A">
        <text>Violates any applicable State water quality standard, the Environment Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, or the Clean Water Act; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="B">
        <text>Degrades surface and groundwater quality.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>To meet the requirements of Section 32-222(a)(4), a regulated activity shall be consistent with the applicable comprehensive watershed management plan. Comprehensive watershed management plans shall meet the following criteria:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Comprehensive watershed management plans may be prepared by Federal, State and local agencies;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A private property owner may request to assist in the preparation of a comprehensive watershed management plan when the entire watershed is owned by the private property owner; and:</text>
      <level label="A">
        <text>When the Department, after consultation with MDNR and appropriate Federal, State and local government agencies, approves the request;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="B">
        <text>A private property owner agrees to assist in the preparation of the comprehensive watershed management plan in accordance with this subsection; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="C">
        <text>The comprehensive watershed management plan meets the requirements of subsection (b)(3) through (5).</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Comprehensive watershed management plans shall be prepared in cooperation with Federal, State and local agencies and approved by the County and MDNR.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>The County and MDNR may not adopt or approve a comprehensive watershed management plan before conducting a public informational hearing on the proposed plan.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>A comprehensive watershed management plan shall include the following elements:</text>
      <level label="A">
        <text>A functional assessment of nontidal wetlands within the watershed;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="B">
        <text>The location of potential mitigation sites;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="C">
        <text>Protection of nontidal wetlands;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="D">
        <text>A plan for limiting cumulative impacts to nontidal wetlands;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="E">
        <text>Water supply management; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="F">
        <text>Flood management.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
