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<section number="32-225" name="Exemptions from Permit Requirements" law="code" slug="sec-32-225" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_32WAREPRGRCO_DIV5NOWEPROR_S32-225EXPERE">
  <level label="a">
    <text>The following activities shall be exempt from the Unified Nontidal Wetland Permit and mitigation requirements of this Ordinance, but are subject to MDNR regulations under COMAR 08.05.04.13 and .15 through .18;</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Forestry activities conducted in accordance with COMAR 08.05.04.20 and .21:</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Agricultural activities in Regulation COMAR .08.05.04.19B. All other agricultural activities shall be exempt from the permit requirements of this Ordinance, but are subject to the mitigation requirements of COMAR .08.05.04.13 and .15 through .18;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Activities conducted by State agencies; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Activities conducted in Nontidal Wetlands of Special State Concern.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>Any proposed regulated activity conducted by a person who has applied to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineering by December 31, 1990, for a permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act is exempt from the Joint State/County Wetland permit requirement provided that the following conditions are satisfied:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ultimately issues a permit or other document under subsection (b)(3)(C);</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The applicant does not alter the scope of the regulated activity originally applied for without authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>A person submits the following information to the Department, as may be applicable, and as may be requested by the Department:</text>
      <level label="A">
        <text>A copy of a dated application for a permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="B">
        <text>A copy of the plans for the project which were submitted to the Corps; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="C">
        <text>A letter from the Corps describing the project and proposed activity and stating either:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>The project and proposed activity is authorized by the Corps; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>The proposed activity is exempt from Section 404 permit requirements.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The following activities shall be exempt from the Unified Nontidal Wetland Permit, provided they do not result in cumulative direct or indirect adverse impacts:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Construction of additions, outbuildings and accessories to existing structures within a landscape management area which impacts less than 1,000 square feet of nontidal wetlands;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Construction placed on existing impervious surfaces or on structures within the buffer or expanded buffer;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Removal of 30 percent of the trees in the buffer provided that:</text>
      <level label="A">
        <text>The density, but not the areal extent of the trees, is reduced;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="B">
        <text>No more than 30 percent of the understory is removed; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="C">
        <text>Clearing is in conformance with the applicable Type I and/or Type II Tree Conservation Plan;</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Moving or other forms of vegetation control on existing rights-of-way;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>The control of State designated noxious weeds;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>Landscape management in the nontidal wetland, buffer or expanded buffer;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>Soil investigations;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="8">
      <text>Percolation tests for sewage disposal fields;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="9">
      <text>Survey markers or survey monuments;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="10">
      <text>Other similar activities with minimal adverse impacts as approved by the Department and MDNR;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="11">
      <text>The maintenance of the following serviceable structures or fills:</text>
      <level label="A">
        <text>Above and underground utilities;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="B">
        <text>Structures in rights-of-way;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="C">
        <text>Railroad beds;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="D">
        <text>Road beds, roadside ditches, culverts, outlet ditches, wash ponds and temporary sediment control structures;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="E">
        <text>Bridges;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="F">
        <text>Dams;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="G">
        <text>Dikes;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="H">
        <text>Levees;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="I">
        <text>Water and wastewater control structures; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="J">
        <text>Facilities designed for stormwater management.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
