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<section number="32-227" name="Best Management Practices for Letters of Authorization" law="code" slug="sec-32-227" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_32WAREPRGRCO_DIV5NOWEPROR_S32-227BEMAPRLEAU">
  <level label="a">
    <text>If a Letter of Authorization is granted, the Department may require an applicant to comply with best management practices, including one or more of the following:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Conduct the regulated activity in a manner that does not pose any harm to a threatened or endangered species, or species in need of conservation, or alter or impair the critical habitat of these species;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Properly maintain the structure or fill;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Design the project to first avoid and then minimize any adverse impacts to the nontidal wetlands' existing topography, vegetation, fish and wildlife resources, and hydrologic conditions;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Conduct the regulated activity in a manner that does not restrict or impede the:</text>
      <level label="A">
        <text>Movement of wildlife indigenous to the nontidal wetland or adjacent water; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="B">
        <text>Passage of normal or expected high water flow;</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>Adhere to time of year restrictions as required by the MDE under COMAR 26.08.02;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>Avoid any disturbances in breeding areas for migratory waterfowl;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>Maintain the hydrologic regime of the nontidal wetland upstream, downstream or adjacent to the exempted activity;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="8">
      <text>Remove excess fill or construction material or debris to an upland disposal area;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="9">
      <text>Place materials in a location and manner which will not adversely impact surface or subsurface water flow into or out of the nontidal wetland;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="10">
      <text>If backfill is obtained from sources other than the originally excavated material, use clean material free of waste metal products, unsightly debris, toxic material, or any other deleterious substance;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="11">
      <text>Place heavy equipment on mats or suitably design the equipment to prevent damage to the nontidal wetlands;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="12">
      <text>Repair and maintain any serviceable structures or fills in a manner that does not result in a substantial deviation from the plans or specifications of the original structure or fill. Minor deviations due to changes in materials or construction techniques, and which are necessary for repair and maintenance, are permitted;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="13">
      <text>Restore any nontidal wetlands temporarily impacted by a proposed repair and maintenance activity;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="14">
      <text>Repair and maintain any serviceable structures or fills so that there is no permanent loss of nontidal wetlands in excess of nontidal wetlands lost due under the original construction or fill;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="15">
      <text>Conduct the activity in a manner that does not cause or contribute to a degradation of water quality as determined by the Department and MDE;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="16">
      <text>For installation of utility lines, make post-construction grades and elevations of nontidal wetlands the same as the original grades and elevations.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>A proposed activity may not qualify for a Letter of Authorization if the Department determines that the activity:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Does not qualify under Section 32-226;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>May result in significant individual or cumulative impacts to nontidal wetlands attributable to an entire and complete project; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Will not comply with the best management practices in Subsection (a).</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>Activities of a similar nature.</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Applicants proposing to conduct repeated activities of a similar nature that may qualify for a Letter of Authorization may submit a single application to the Department.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The department may issue a single Letter of Authorization for these activities.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Activities may include:</text>
      <level label="A">
        <text>Structural repair and maintenance; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="B">
        <text>Work within rights-of-way.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
