<section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-101" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this article the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Contested case hearing” means an adjudicatory hearing in accordance with the contested case procedures of Subtitle 2 of the Maryland Administrative Procedure Act.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“County” means a county of this State and, unless expressly provided otherwise, Baltimore City.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Department” means the Department of the Environment.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“EJ Score” means an overall evaluation of an area’s environment and existing environmental justice indicators, as defined by the Department in regulation, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Pollution burden exposure;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Pollution burden environmental effects;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Sensitive populations; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Socioeconomic factors.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Environmental justice” has the meaning stated in § 1–701 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Health officer” means the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health or the health officer of a county.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“Includes” or “including” means includes or including by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Informational meeting” means a meeting, open to the public, at which the applicant or the Department presents information concerning a permit application. An informational meeting is not a contested case hearing nor an agency hearing under § 10–202(d) of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <text>“Maryland EJ tool” means a publicly available State mapping tool that allows users to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Explore layers of environmental justice concern;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Determine an overall EJ Score for census tracts in the State; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>View additional context layers relevant to an area.</text> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <text>“Person” means an individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, personal representative, fiduciary, or representative of any kind and any partnership, firm, association, corporation, or other entity.</text> </level> <level label="l"> <text>“Physician” means an individual who is authorized under the Maryland Medical Practice Act to practice medicine in this State.</text> </level> <level label="m"> <text>“Public hearing” means a meeting, open to the public, at which the Department receives oral and written comments concerning a tentative determination. A public hearing is not a contested case hearing nor an agency hearing under § 10–202(d) of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="n"> <text>“Secretary” means the Secretary of the Environment.</text> </level> <level label="o"> <text>“State” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A state, possession, or territory of the United States;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The District of Columbia; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.</text> </level> </level> <level label="p"> <text>“Substantively” means in a manner substantially affecting the rights, duties, or obligations of a member of the public.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-201" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>A requirement in this article that a document be verified means that the document shall be verified by a declaration made under the penalties of perjury that the matters and facts contained in the document are true to the best of the knowledge, information, and belief of the individual making the declaration.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The verification shall be made:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Before an individual authorized to administer oaths; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>By a signed statement of verification that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Is in the document or attached to and made part of the document; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>States that the statement is made under the penalties of perjury.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the procedures provided in subsection (b)(2) of this section are used, the statement of verification subjects the individual making the statement to the penalties of perjury to the same extent as if the statement had been verified under oath before an individual authorized to administer oaths.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-202" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <text>Before any license or permit may be issued under this article to an employer to engage in an activity in which the employer may employ a covered employee, as defined in § 9-101 of the Labor and Employment Article, the employer shall file with the issuing authority:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A certificate of compliance with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Act; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The number of a workers’ compensation insurance policy or binder.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-203" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>When deciding whether to issue a license or permit under this article or to impose a condition on the issuance of a license or permit, the Department may consider whether the applicant has violated any provision of this article or any regulation adopted under this article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A license or permit is considered renewed for purposes of this subsection if the license or permit is issued by a unit of State government to a person for the period immediately following a period for which the person previously possessed the same or a substantially similar license.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Before any license or permit may be renewed under this article, the issuing authority shall verify through the Office of the Comptroller that the applicant has paid all undisputed taxes and unemployment insurance contributions payable to the Comptroller or the Secretary of Labor or that the applicant has provided for payment in a manner satisfactory to the unit responsible for collection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-204" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary in this article, service of show cause orders, complaints, corrective orders, notices, or any other instrument issued by the Department under this article for which service is required may be achieved by any method allowed for service of a summons under the Maryland Rules.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-205" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <text>In order to meet the policy goals of the State for the electric distribution grid system, the Department, in coordination with the Public Service Commission and the Maryland Energy Administration, shall coordinate with utility providers in the State to apply for and access federal funds, including funds made available under §§ 40101, 40103, and 40107 of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. </text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-206" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department may establish a process in collaboration with one or more boards under the Department’s direction and control that requires a board to include a notation indicating veteran status on a professional license, certificate, or public profile.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the Department establishes the process described in subsection (a) of this section, an application for a professional license or certificate shall allow an applicant to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Present a certification of veteran status obtained from the Department of Veterans and Military Families in accordance with § 9–905 of the State Government Article, a DD Form 214, or other documentation acceptable to the board certifying veteran status; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Indicate that the applicant consents to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Having a notation on the applicant’s professional license, certificate, or public profile indicating that the applicant is a veteran; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Being contacted by appropriate Executive Branch agencies regarding the applicant’s eligibility for State or federal veterans benefits.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If an applicant presents the required documentation and consents in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, a board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Include on the applicant’s professional license, certificate, or public profile a notation indicating that the applicant is a veteran; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In accordance with §§ 4–304 through 4–325 of the General Provisions Article and any other applicable law, and on request from an Executive Branch agency, electronically transmit to the Executive Branch agency appropriate information about the applicant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Department and applicable boards may adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-301" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Enforcement"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary shall carry out and enforce the provisions of this article and the rules and regulations adopted under this article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Secretary may delegate duties, powers, and functions as provided in this article to a health officer for a county or to another county official authorized to administer and enforce environmental laws.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In those counties where a county official other than the health officer is authorized to administer and enforce State environmental laws under this section, the county shall establish minimum qualifications for that county official that include standards of education and experience related to environmental issues.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>If the Department processes and issues on–site sewage disposal permits or individual well construction permits, the Department may charge a fee for processing and issuing the permits if a licensed environmental health specialist reviews and approves the permits.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The fees:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Shall be established by the Department in regulation; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, may not exceed $575.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph, the Department may annually increase the fees under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph in accordance with the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the Washington Metropolitan Area during the previous year.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department may not annually increase the fees under this subsection by more than 3%.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The fees collected by the Department under this subsection shall be deposited into the Maryland Clean Water Fund in § 9–320 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>On or before October 1 of each year, the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall submit to the Legislative Policy Committee, the Senate Committee on Education, Energy, and the Environment, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, the House Environment and Transportation Committee, and the House Appropriations Committee, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, a report on enforcement activities conducted by the Department during the previous fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The report shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Include the information required under this subsection and any additional information concerning environmental enforcement that the Secretary decides to provide;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Be available to the public as soon as it is forwarded to the Legislative Policy Committee;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Include information on the total number of permits and licenses issued by or filed with the Department at any time and still in effect as of the last date of the fiscal year immediately preceding the date on which the report is filed;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Include information concerning specific enforcement actions taken with respect to the permits and licenses during the immediately preceding fiscal year; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Include information on the type and number of contacts or consultations with businesses concerning compliance with State environmental laws.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The information required in the report under paragraph (3) of this subsection shall be organized according to each program specified.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The report shall state the total amount of money as a result of enforcement actions, as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Deposited in the Maryland Clean Air Fund;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Deposited in the Maryland Oil Disaster Containment, Clean–Up and Contingency Fund;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Deposited in the Nontidal Wetland Compensation Fund;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Deposited in the Maryland Hazardous Substance Control Fund;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Recovered by the Department from responsible parties in accordance with § 7–221 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Deposited in the Maryland Clean Water Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>The report shall include the information specified in subparagraphs (ii), (iii), (iv), and (v) of this paragraph for each of the following programs in the Department:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Ambient air quality control under Title 2, Subtitle 4 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Oil pollution under Title 4, Subtitle 4 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Nontidal wetlands under Title 5, Subtitle 9 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Asbestos under Title 6, Subtitle 4 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Lead paint under Title 6, Subtitle 8 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Controlled hazardous substances under Title 7, Subtitle 2 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Water supply, sewerage systems, and refuse disposal systems under Title 9, Subtitle 2 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Water discharges under Title 9, Subtitle 3 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Drinking water under Title 9, Subtitle 4 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Wetlands under Title 16, Subtitle 2 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For each of the programs set forth in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the Department shall provide the total number or amount of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Final permits or licenses issued to a person or facility, as appropriate, and not surrendered, suspended, or revoked;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Inspections, audits, or spot checks performed at facilities permitted;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Injunctions obtained;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Show cause, remedial, and corrective action orders issued;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Stop work orders;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Administrative or civil penalties obtained;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Criminal actions charged, convictions obtained, imprisonment time ordered, and criminal fines received; and</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Any other actions taken by the Department to enforce the requirements of the applicable environmental program, including:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Notices of the removal or encapsulation of asbestos under § 6–414.1 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Actions enforcing user charges against industrial users under § 9–341 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>In addition to the information required in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, for the Lead Paint Program under Title 6, Subtitle 8 of this article, the report shall include the total number or amount of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Affected properties registered; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Inspectors or other persons accredited by the Department, for whom accreditation has not been surrendered, suspended, or revoked.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>In addition to the information required in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, for the Controlled Hazardous Substances Program under Title 7, Subtitle 2 of this article, the report shall include the following lists, updated to reflect the most recent information available for the immediately preceding fiscal year:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Possible controlled hazardous substance sites compiled in accordance with § 7–223(a) of this article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Proposed sites listed in accordance with § 7–223(c) of this article at which the Department intends to conduct preliminary site assessments; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Hazardous waste sites in the disposal site registry compiled in accordance with § 7–223(f) of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="v"> <text>In addition to the information required in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, for the Drinking Water Program, the report shall include the total number of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Actions to prevent public water system contamination or to respond to a Safe Drinking Water Act emergency under §§ 9–405 and 9–406 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Notices given to the public by public water systems under § 9–410 of this article.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-302" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Enforcement"> <level label="a"> <text>A person who knowingly falsifies, alters, or causes another to falsify or alter any permit, license, or certificate issued or required pursuant to this article to demonstrate compliance with any environmental regulation, permit condition, or other regulatory requirement under this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $50,000 for each violation or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or both.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who knowingly possesses, displays, or submits to the Department or any other person any falsified or altered permit, license, or certificate issued or required pursuant to this article to demonstrate compliance with any environmental regulation, permit condition, or other regulatory requirement under this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $50,000 for each violation or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or both.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Any fine imposed in accordance with this section shall be ordered paid into any applicable special fund authorized to receive fines for violations of any section of this article that requires or authorizes the document that is the subject of this violation.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Attorney General shall take charge of, investigate, prosecute, and defend on behalf of the State every case arising under the provisions of this section, including the recovery of any fines.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The provisions of this section may not limit or affect the power or authority of State’s Attorneys under § 15–102 of the Criminal Procedure Article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-303" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Enforcement"> <level label="a"> <text>A criminal prosecution or a suit for a civil penalty by the Department for violation of any provision of this article or any rule, regulation, order, or permit adopted or issued under this article, shall be instituted within 3 years after the date the Department knew or reasonably should have known of the violation.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, an action for an administrative penalty by the Department for violation of any provision of this article or any rule, regulation, order, or permit adopted or issued under this article, shall be instituted within 5 years after the date the Department knew or reasonably should have known of the violation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The statute of limitations for an action for an administrative penalty for an ongoing violation shall be tolled until the action that caused the ongoing violation has ceased.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A suit for a civil penalty by a political subdivision for violation of any provision of this article or any rule, regulation, order, or permit adopted or issued under this article, or for a violation under any regulatory program the political subdivision is required to adopt and enforce under the provisions of this article, shall be instituted within 3 years after the date the political subdivision knew or reasonably should have known of the violation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-304" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Enforcement"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the following persons shall reimburse a county for the reasonable costs incurred by the county in conducting environmental health monitoring or testing, including the cost of collecting and analyzing soil samples, surface water samples, or groundwater samples for the purpose of assessing the effect on public health and the environment of the person’s release of a hazardous substance, discharge of oil, or discharge of a pollutant in the waters of the State:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A responsible person as defined under Title 7, Subtitle 2 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A person responsible for the discharge as defined under Title 4, Subtitle 4 of this article; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A person responsible for the discharge of a pollutant into the waters of the State in violation of § 9–322 or § 9–323 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person may not be required to reimburse a county for costs under paragraph (1) of this subsection if the person has entered into a consent order with the Department.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Costs incurred by a county for environmental health monitoring or testing under activities that are duplicative of State activities, or are not reasonably necessary to protect human health or the environment, are not eligible for reimbursement under subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A county may recover costs that are reimbursable under subsection (a) of this section in a civil action.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If a county determines that it would be more efficient to combine the county’s claim for reimbursement under subsection (a) of this section with a pending claim by the Department, the Department shall, on request by the county, seek to recover reimbursable costs on behalf of the county.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Department may adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-305" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Enforcement"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Alleged violation” means an alleged violation of any requirement in this article or any regulation authorized by a provision of this article, including federal requirements and standards delegated to the State.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Complaint” means a complaint regarding an alleged violation of any air or water quality requirement in this article or any air or water quality regulation authorized by a provision of this article, including federal requirements and standards delegated to the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section applies only to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Beginning October 1, 2021, water quality programs within the Department’s Water and Science Administration that are tracked through the Department’s Environmental Tracking System or a comparable database; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Beginning June 30, 2022:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Water quality programs within the Department’s Land and Materials Administration that are tracked through the Department’s Environmental Tracking System or a comparable database; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Air quality programs within the Department’s Air and Radiation Administration that are tracked through the Department’s Environmental Tracking System or a comparable database.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Receive and process complaints that involve alleged violations;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Keep an electronic record of each complaint that is received under this section for 10 years, including information on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The county in which the alleged violation occurred; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Which administration within the Department is authorized to enforce the alleged violation; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Maintain and update, on at least a quarterly basis, a list of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>New complaints that have been received by the Department that involve alleged violations, including information on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The county in which the alleged violation occurred; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Which administration within the Department is authorized to enforce the alleged violation;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Complaints that remain open; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Complaints that have been closed.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>On at least a monthly basis, the Department shall update and publish on its website a list of legal settlements finalized by the Department that involve violations, including information on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The date a settlement was finalized;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The relevant law or regulation that is the basis of the violation;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Which administration within the Department is authorized to enforce the violation;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The name of the site or regulated entity and the location of the site at issue;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The amount of any penalty assessed;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>A description of the violation; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>A link to a downloadable document containing the final settlement agreement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Department shall develop and maintain a website to provide:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A list of each complaint received by the Department that includes only:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The date on which the complaint was submitted;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The county in which the alleged violation occurred;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Which administration within the Department is authorized to enforce the alleged violation;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Any complaint or case identification number; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>If a complaint has been closed, the date on which the complaint was closed;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A list of each inspection that has been conducted by the Department during the immediately preceding 365 days under the authority of a State or federal law or regulation related to managing or protecting the environment that includes only:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The name of the site or regulated entity;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The county and, if readily available, the zip code in which the inspection occurred;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>If applicable, the permit number associated with the site;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Any inspection identification number;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Whether the site is in compliance or whether any additional investigation is necessary;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>The status of the inspection; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>The media basis for the inspection;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An electronic link or other means of downloading a digital copy, if readily available, of an inspection report that includes information that is listed under item (2) of this subsection if the information is maintained by the Department in the Environmental Tracking System or a comparable database;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A list of each enforcement action that has been initiated by the Department during the immediately preceding 365 days under the authority of a State or federal law or regulation related to protecting or managing the environment that includes only:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Whether any penalties were imposed and the amount of the penalties collected;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Whether any orders were issued;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Whether the case was referred for prosecution or further enforcement action;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Whether compliance assistance was rendered;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The county and, if readily available, the zip code in which the enforcement action occurred;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>The enforcement action identification number;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>If applicable, the permit number; and</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>Which administration within the Department carried out the enforcement action;</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A list of each violation discovered within the immediately preceding 365 days that the Department has deemed “significant noncompliance” or a “high–priority violation” that includes only:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The date on which the violation was identified as “significant noncompliance” or a “high–priority violation”;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The date on which the site or regulated entity regained compliance, if applicable;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The county and, if readily available, the zip code in which the violation occurred;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Whether any enforcement action has been initiated or corrective action requested; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Which administration within the Department is authorized to enforce the violation;</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>A list of all expired and administratively continued environmental permits subject to this section, including information on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The name of the permittee;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The expiration date of the permit;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The permit number;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The county and, if readily available, the zip code in which the site or regulated entity is located; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Any information on the status of the permit renewal process, including whether an application to renew the permit has been submitted and whether the permit is deemed to be expired or administratively continued;</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>All information required to be posted on the Department’s website in accordance with § 4–802 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>A list of each sewage overflow incident in the State, including information on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The location of the sewage overflow;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The entity from which the sewage overflow originated; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Whether the sewage was treated or raw sewage.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The information posted on the website in accordance with subsections (d) and (e) of this section shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Kept for at least 10 years;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Updated on at least a monthly basis; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Maintained in a database format to ensure that the information is searchable by category of information.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-306" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Enforcement"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “supplemental environmental project” means an environmentally beneficial project or activity that is not required by law but that an alleged violator agrees to undertake as part of a settlement or enforcement action.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Department shall create and maintain a database of supplemental environmental projects that the Department may consider for implementation as part of a settlement of an enforcement action.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In creating and maintaining the database, the Department shall solicit input from communities in the State that are overburdened, underserved, or otherwise disadvantaged by environmental stressors.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Department shall include oyster repletion projects in the database.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department may, with reasonable justification, consider a supplemental environmental project that is not included in the database required in subsection (b) of this section as part of a settlement of an enforcement action.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department may not choose a supplemental environmental project offered by the violator unless the Department:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Approves the project; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Maintains documentation of the approval.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Before a violator undertakes a supplemental environmental project, the Department shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Give priority consideration to the selection of a project located in the same geographic area impacted by the alleged violation; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Ensure that the scope and cost of the chosen project is reasonably related to the nexus of the violation or the adverse impact of the violation and that the cost is sufficient to allow the Department and the alleged violator to reach a settlement.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-401" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Department"> <text>There is a Department of the Environment, established as a principal department of the State government.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-402" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Department"> <level label="a"> <text>The head of the Department is the Secretary of the Environment, who shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary serves at the pleasure of the Governor and is responsible directly to the Governor. The Secretary shall advise the Governor on all matters assigned to the Department and is responsible for carrying out the Governor’s policies on these matters.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Secretary is responsible for the operation of the Department and shall establish guidelines and procedures to promote the orderly and efficient administration of the Department. The Secretary may establish, reorganize, or abolish areas of responsibility in the Department as necessary to fulfill the duties assigned to the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Secretary shall establish the general policy for and adopt standards to promote and guide the development of the environmental services of the State.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Secretary is responsible for the environmental interests of the people of the State and shall supervise generally the administration of the environmental laws of the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Secretary is entitled to the salary provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-403" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Department"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>With the approval of the Governor, the Secretary shall appoint a deputy secretary.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The deputy secretary serves at the pleasure of the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The deputy secretary is entitled to the salary provided in the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The deputy secretary has the duties provided by law or delegated by the Secretary.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary may employ a staff in accordance with the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each assistant secretary, staff assistant to the Secretary, and professional consultant is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Unless otherwise provided by law, the Secretary shall appoint and remove all other staff in accordance with the provisions of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The appointment or removal of staff of any unit in the Department is subject to the approval of the Secretary. As to any unit in the Department, the Secretary may delegate this authority to the head of that unit.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-404" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Department"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary is responsible for the budget of the office of the Secretary and for the budget of each unit in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary may adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of law that are within the jurisdiction of the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Secretary shall review and may revise the rules and regulations of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Each unit in the Department that is authorized by law to adopt rules and regulations; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Department.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Secretary may create an advisory board for the Department. The Secretary shall determine the size of the advisory board. The members shall be representative of the different professional areas or fields of endeavor with which the Department is concerned.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Secretary may create any advisory council that the Secretary considers necessary and assign appropriate functions to it.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary is responsible for the coordination and direction of all planning that the office of the Secretary initiates.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Secretary shall keep fully apprised of plans, proposals, and projects of each unit in the Department and, except as expressly provided otherwise, may approve, disapprove, or modify any of them.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Each unit in the Department shall report to the Secretary as provided in the rules, regulations, or written directives that the Secretary adopts.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>Except as expressly provided otherwise, the Secretary may transfer, by rule, regulation, or written directive, any function, staff, or funds from any unit in the Department to the office of the Secretary or another unit in the Department. Any staff transferred to the office of the Secretary shall be provided space, equipment, and services by the unit from which it was transferred, unless the Secretary orders removal to another location for the proper and efficient functioning of that office.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The Secretary may apply for, receive, and spend grants-in-aid by the federal government or any of its agencies or any other federal funds made available to the Department for use in carrying out the powers and duties of the Secretary or the Department.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>Except as otherwise provided by law, the Secretary shall pay all money collected by the Department under this article into the General Fund of this State.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary or a designee of the Secretary may subpoena any person or evidence, administer oaths, and take depositions and other testimony.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a person fails to comply with a lawful order or subpoena issued under this subsection, on petition of the Secretary or designee, a court of competent jurisdiction may compel obedience to the order or subpoena or compel testimony or the production of evidence.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A witness who is subpoenaed at the request of the Secretary or designee is entitled to receive the same fees and mileage provided for by law in civil cases. However, a witness who is subpoenaed at the request of any other party is not entitled to fees or mileage, unless the Secretary or designee certifies that the testimony was material to the matter investigated. The fee and mileage paid under this subsection shall be audited and paid by this State in the same way other expenses are audited and paid and shall be charged to the general appropriation for the Department.</text> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary or any agent or employee of the Secretary may enter, at any reasonable hour, a place of business or public premises if the entry is necessary to carry out a duty under this article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person may not deny or interfere with an entry under this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A person who violates any provision of this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $100.</text> </level> </level> <level label="l"> <text>The Secretary shall carry out and enforce the provisions of this article, the rules and regulations of the Department, and any other provisions of law that relate to the Secretary or the Department.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-405" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Department"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary shall investigate:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The influence of locality, employment, habit, and other conditions on health; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The causes of diseases and mortality to the extent that they may relate to environmental factors.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Secretary may adopt procedures to obtain information about cancers that are caused by environmental carcinogens and toxic substances and about the incidence of these diseases.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-406" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Department"> <text>The following units, among other units, are included in the Department:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Air Quality Control Advisory Council;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Hazardous Substances Advisory Council;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Radiation Control Advisory Board;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Science and Health Advisory Group;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Board of Waterworks and Waste System Operators;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Board of Well Drillers;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Hazardous Waste Facilities Siting Board;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Marine Contractors Licensing Board; and</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Board of On–Site Wastewater Professionals.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-407" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Department"> <level label="a"> <text>The Attorney General is legal adviser to the Department.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Attorney General shall assign to the Department the number of assistant Attorneys General authorized by law to be assigned to the Department and any additional ones necessary to give effective legal advice and counsel. The Attorney General also shall designate an assistant Attorney General as counsel to the Department.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The counsel to the Department may have no duty other than to give the legal aid, advice, and counsel required by the Secretary and any other official of the Department, to supervise the other assistant Attorneys General assigned to the Department, and to perform for the Department the duties that the Attorney General assigns. The counsel shall perform these duties subject to the control and supervision of the Attorney General. After the Attorney General designates the counsel to the Department, the Attorney General may not reassign the counsel without consulting the Secretary.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-501" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Confidential Research Records"> <text>In this subtitle, “confidential record” means any record, report, statement, note, or other information that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is assembled or obtained for research or study by the Secretary; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Names or otherwise identifies any person.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-502" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Confidential Research Records"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Each confidential record shall remain in the custody and control of the Secretary or an agent or employee of the Secretary, if the Secretary assembled or obtained the confidential record.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The confidential record may be used only for the research and study for which it was assembled or obtained.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A person may not disclose any confidential record to any person who is not engaged in the research or study project.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section does not apply to or restrict the use or publication of any statistics, information, or other material that summarizes or refers to confidential records in the aggregate, without disclosing the identity of any person who is the subject of the confidential record.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-503" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Confidential Research Records"> <text>A person who violates any provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-601" future_version_removed="true" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Public Participation in the Permitting Process"> <level label="a"> <text>Permits issued by the Department under the following sections shall be issued in accordance with this subtitle:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Air quality control permits to construct subject to § 2–404 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Permits to install, materially alter, or materially extend landfill systems, incinerators for public use, or rubble landfills subject to § 9–209 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Permits to discharge pollutants to waters of the State issued pursuant to § 9–323 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Permits to install, materially alter, or materially extend a structure used for storage or distribution of any type of sewage sludge issued, renewed, or amended pursuant to § 9–234.1 or § 9–238 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Permits to own, operate, establish, or maintain a controlled hazardous substance facility issued pursuant to § 7–232 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Permits to own, operate, or maintain a hazardous material facility issued pursuant to § 7–103 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Permits to own, operate, establish, or maintain a low–level nuclear waste facility issued pursuant to § 7–233 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Potable reuse permits issued in accordance with § 9–303.2 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Permits for reservoir augmentation issued in accordance with § 9–303.4 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Managed aquifer recharge pilot permits issued in accordance with § 9–303.4 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>For permits listed under subsection (a) of this section, a contested case hearing may not occur.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A final determination by the Department on the issuance, denial, renewal, or revision of any permit listed under subsection (a) of this section is subject to judicial review at the request of any person that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Meets the threshold standing requirements under federal law; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Is the applicant; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Participated in a public participation process through the submission of written or oral comments, unless an opportunity for public participation was not provided.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Judicial review shall be on the administrative record before the Department and limited to objections raised during the public comment period, unless the petitioner demonstrates that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The objections were not reasonably ascertainable during the comment period; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Grounds for the objections arose after the comment period.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The court shall remand the matter to the Department for consideration of objections under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Unless otherwise required by statute, a petition for judicial review by a person that meets the requirements of subsection (c) of this section shall be filed with the circuit court for the county where the application for the permit states that the proposed activity will occur.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The decision of the circuit court may be appealed to the Appellate Court of Maryland.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>When this article requires more than one public informational meeting or public hearing, the Department may consolidate some or all of the meetings or hearings for the proposed facility with similar meetings or hearings.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>When this subtitle requires the Department to hold a public informational meeting or public hearing, the Department shall hold the meeting or hearing in accordance with the requirements of this paragraph.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Department may hold a public informational meeting or public hearing required under this subtitle using teleconference or Internet–based conferencing technology unless:</text> <level label="1"> <text>An applicable provision of federal statute or regulation requires the meeting or hearing to be held in person; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to subparagraph (iv) of this paragraph, any person makes a timely request within the time periods specified in §§ 1–603(c)(1) and 1–604(a)(4)(i) of this subtitle that the meeting or hearing be held in person.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>If the Department holds an in–person public informational meeting or public hearing, the Department shall hold the meeting or hearing at a location in the political subdivision and in close proximity to the location where the individual permit applies.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>To protect public health and safety, the Department is not required to hold an in–person public informational meeting or public hearing specified under subparagraph (ii)2 of this paragraph if an emergency declaration is issued by an executive authority of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The federal or State government; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The local government with jurisdiction over a county or municipality where the in–person meeting or hearing would otherwise be held.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-601.1" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Public Participation in the Permitting Process"> <level label="a"> <text>A person applying for a permit listed under § 1–601(a) of this subtitle shall include in the permit application the EJ Score from the Maryland EJ tool for the census tract where the applicant is seeking a permit, unless the permit requires the applicant to use a tool developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On receiving an application for a permit listed under § 1–601(a) of this subtitle, the Department shall, in accordance with regulations adopted under this section, review the EJ Score for the census tract where the applicant is seeking a permit using the Maryland EJ tool to verify the applicant’s information.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department shall adopt regulations to implement this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-602" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Public Participation in the Permitting Process"> <level label="a"> <text>Wherever this subtitle requires the Department to publish notice:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Notice shall be published at least once a week for 2 consecutive weeks in a daily or weekly newspaper of general circulation in the geographical area in which the proposed facility is located;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The notice shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The EJ Score for the census tract where the applicant is seeking a permit, provided by the applicant under § 1–601.1 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The address of the Department website for accessing the EJ Score review conducted under § 1–601.1 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A description of the environmental justice indicators contributing to the EJ Score of the census tract where the applicant is seeking a permit;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Department may require notice of an informational meeting or a public hearing by mail to each person requesting the meeting or hearing or to their authorized representatives;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Department may provide additional notice by requiring the notice to be posted at the proposed facility or at public facilities in the geographical area of the proposed facility; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The applicant shall bear all costs incurred by the Department in providing notice.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>In addition to the requirements set forth in subsection (a) of this section and notwithstanding any other requirements in this article, wherever this subtitle requires the Department to publish notice of an application for a permit, the Department shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Electronically post the notice of an application for a permit on the Department’s website; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Provide a method for interested persons to electronically request any additional notices related to an application for a permit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The notice required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The name and address of the applicant;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A description of the location and the nature of the activity for which the permit has been sought;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A reference to the applicable statutes or regulations governing the application process;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The time and place of any scheduled informational meeting or public hearing, or a description of where this information can be found;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>A description of where further information about the permit application can be found;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <level label="1"> <text>The EJ Score for the census tract where the applicant is seeking a permit, provided by the applicant under § 1–601.1 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The EJ Score review conducted under § 1–601.1 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Any other information that the Department determines is necessary.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department may require the applicant to publish and send the notices required in subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-603" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Public Participation in the Permitting Process"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department shall cause to be published notice of applications for permits.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Department shall assure that applications for permits shall be available to the public for inspection and copying.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Upon written request made within 10 working days after publication of a notice of application, or in its own discretion, the Department shall provide an opportunity for an informational meeting with respect to the application.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The informational meeting may be canceled if all persons who made timely written requests withdraw the requests prior to the meeting.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Unless the notice of application contained a notice of the informational meeting, the Department shall publish notice of the informational meeting.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department may require the applicant to attend an informational meeting or public hearing and present information concerning the application.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the applicant fails to appear and present information after a request from the Department, the application may be denied.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-604" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Public Participation in the Permitting Process"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>After the Department receives the permit application, the Department shall prepare a tentative determination, which shall include the following information:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A proposal to issue or to not issue a permit;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any proposed permit limitations and conditions;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A brief explanation of the Department’s tentative determination; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Any proposed schedule of compliance.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the tentative determination is to issue a permit, the tentative determination shall include a draft permit, which shall be available to the public for inspection and copying.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Department shall publish a notice of the tentative determination. This publication shall allow 30 calendar days for public comment before the issuance of the final determination.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>The Department shall schedule a public hearing on the tentative determination when a written request for a public hearing is made within 20 days of publication of a notice of the tentative determination.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The public hearing may be canceled if all persons who made timely written requests withdraw the requests prior to the meeting. In addition, the Department may schedule a public hearing on a tentative determination at its discretion.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department shall prepare a final determination if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Written comments adverse to the tentative determination were received by the Department within 30 days after the publication of the notice of tentative determination pursuant to this section;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Comments adverse to the tentative determination were received in writing at, or within 5 days after, the public hearing conducted pursuant to this section;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Comments adverse to the tentative determination were received orally at the public hearing conducted pursuant to this section and the Department prepared a transcript of the comments made at the hearing; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The final determination is substantively different from the tentative determination and all persons aggrieved by the final determination have not waived, in writing, their right to request a contested case hearing.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Department is required to prepare a final determination under this section, the Department shall publish a notice of the final determination.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the Department is not required to prepare a final determination under this section, the tentative determination is a final decision by the Department when the permit is issued or denied.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-605" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Public Participation in the Permitting Process"> <level label="a"> <text>A person petitioning for judicial review in accordance with § 1–601 of this subtitle or § 5–204 or § 16–204 of this article shall file the petition in accordance with the Maryland Rules.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A party submitting a petition for judicial review shall file the petition within 30 days after publication of a notice of final determination.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An action for judicial review brought in accordance with § 1–601 of this subtitle or § 5–204 or § 16–204 of this article shall be conducted in accordance with the Maryland Rules.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A party to the judicial review action may not challenge a facility’s compliance with zoning and land use requirements or conformity with a county plan issued under Title 9, Subtitle 5 of this article. However, nothing in this subtitle shall prevent a party from challenging whether the Department has complied with §§ 2–404(b)(1)(ii) and 9–210(a)(3) of this article, when applicable, nor does this subtitle prevent a party from contesting the compliance of the facility with zoning and land use or county plan requirements in any proceeding brought in accordance with and under any applicable local laws.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-606" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Public Participation in the Permitting Process"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Board” means the Board of Public Works.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“License” means a license under § 16–202 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section applies to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A permit listed under § 1–601(a) of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A permit listed under § 5–204(f) of this article; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A license issued under § 16–202 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Any judicial review of a determination provided for in accordance with § 1–601 of this subtitle or § 5–204 or § 16–204 of this article shall be limited to a record compiled by the Department or Board, consisting of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Any permit or license application and any data submitted to the Department or Board in support of the application;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any draft permit or license issued by the Department or Board;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any notice of intent from the Department or Board to deny the application or to terminate the permit or license;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A statement or fact sheet explaining the basis for the determination by the Department or Board;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>All documents referenced in the statement or fact sheet explaining the basis for the determination by the Department or Board;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>All documents, except documents for which disclosure is precluded by law or that are subject to privilege, contained in the supporting file for any draft permit or license;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>All comments submitted to the Department or Board during the public comment period, including comments made on the draft application;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Any tape or transcript of any public hearings held on the application; and</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Any response to any comments submitted to the Department or Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>When a draft permit or license or tentative determination is issued, the Department or Board shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Make available for inspection and copying no later than the date the permit, draft license, or tentative determination is issued:</text> <level label="1"> <text>All permit or license applications;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Documents submitted with a permit or license application;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>All documents relied on in making the tentative determination; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A privilege log that identifies all documents not produced for inspection in accordance with subsection (c)(6) of this section and states the reasons for withholding each document; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Extend the public comment period by 60 days on request by a person.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A request submitted to the Department or Board under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Submitted in writing; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Made before the expiration of the original comment period.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A public comment period may not be extended more than once under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-607" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Public Participation in the Permitting Process"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies to applications for all licenses and permits issued, or required to be reissued, by the Department.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On or before January 1, 1998, and each year thereafter, in consultation with interested parties, the Department shall publish expected review times for each licensing and permitting program.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On or before January 1, 1998, for each licensing and permitting program, the Department shall offer assistance and information to persons which may include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Written lists of information and materials required with applications;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Written lists of common application questions and mistakes;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Preapplication meetings with prospective applicants to address technical issues;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Written receipts to the applicant upon submission of an application; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The status of active applications.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies to permits which are:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Identified in § 1–601(a) of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Issued under Title 5, Subtitle 9 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department shall provide to the applicant:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A notice of completed application; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the Department determines that the application is incomplete, the reasons, in writing, that the application was determined to be incomplete.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>For permits identified in § 1–601(a) of this subtitle, the notice of completed application shall include an estimated time for issuance of the tentative determination if requested by the applicant.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For permits issued under Title 5, Subtitle 9 of this article, the notice of completed application shall include an estimate of the date by which the Department will grant, deny, or condition the permit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A permit applicant may apply to the Department for a refund of all or a portion of the application fee if:</text> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>For permits identified in § 1–601(a) of this subtitle, the Department fails to issue a tentative determination regarding the application within the estimated time provided in the notice of completed application; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For permits issued under Title 5, Subtitle 9 of this article, the Department fails to grant, deny, or condition a permit within the time periods provided under § 5–906 of this article;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The applicant demonstrates that the delay was caused solely by the Department and was not the result of procedures or requirements outside the control of the Department, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Reviews by federal, local, or other State government</text> <text>agencies;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Procedures for public participation; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The failure of the applicant to submit information to the Department in a timely manner; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <level label="1"> <text>For permits identified in § 1–601(a) of this subtitle, the applicant applies to the Department within 60 days after the estimated time for issuance of a tentative determination; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For permits issued under Title 5, Subtitle 9 of this article, the applicant applies to the Department within 60 days after the date by which the Department was to have granted, denied, or conditioned a permit under the time periods provided under § 5–906 of this article.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee, shall review the refund request and determine if a refund of any amount is appropriate.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>If the Secretary denies the refund request, the Department shall provide the applicant a written explanation of the denial and of the procedures and requirements outside the control of the Department on which the denial was based within 60 days.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-701" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Environmental Justice"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Business organization” means a corporation, business trust, partnership, or any other for–profit entity.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Commission” means the Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Community listening session” means a public convening to gather information and input from community members.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Environmental justice” means equal protection from environmental and public health hazards for all people regardless of race, income, culture, and social status.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>“Environmental organization” means a nonprofit entity engaged in advocacy, action, education, or job training related to conservation, stewardship of natural resources, pollution reduction, or climate impacts.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>“Overburdened community” means any census tract for which three or more of the following environmental health indicators are above the 75th percentile statewide:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Particulate matter (PM) 2.5;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Ozone;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) diesel PM;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>NATA cancer risk;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>NATA respiratory hazard index;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Traffic proximity;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Lead paint indicator;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>National Priorities List Superfund site proximity;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>Risk Management Plan facility proximity;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>Hazardous waste proximity;</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>Wastewater discharge indicator;</text> </level> <level label="xii"> <text>Proximity to a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO);</text> </level> <level label="xiii"> <text>Percent of the population lacking broadband coverage;</text> </level> <level label="xiv"> <text>Asthma emergency room discharges;</text> </level> <level label="xv"> <text>Myocardial infarction discharges;</text> </level> <level label="xvi"> <text>Low–birth–weight infants;</text> </level> <level label="xvii"> <text>Proximity to emitting power plants;</text> </level> <level label="xviii"> <text>Proximity to a Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) facility;</text> </level> <level label="xix"> <text>Proximity to a brownfields site;</text> </level> <level label="xx"> <text>Proximity to mining operations; and</text> </level> <level label="xxi"> <text>Proximity to a hazardous waste landfill.</text> </level> </level> <level label="8"> <text>“Underserved community” means any census tract in which, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau Survey:</text> <level label="i"> <text>At least 25% of the residents qualify as low–income;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>At least 50% of the residents identify as nonwhite; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>At least 15% of the residents have limited English proficiency.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>There is a Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission consists of the following members:</text> <level label="i"> <text>One member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>One member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The Secretary of Health, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The Secretary of Planning, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>The Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>The Secretary of Housing and Community Development, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>The Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>The following members appointed by the Governor:</text> <level label="1"> <text>At least one representative from a community disproportionately impacted by environmental and public health hazards;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>One representative of a business organization;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>One representative of an environmental organization;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>One representative who is a health expert on environmental justice issues; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>One representative of an academic institution with an environmental justice institute or similar program;</text> </level> </level> <level label="x"> <text>The following members appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House:</text> <level label="1"> <text>At least three representatives from communities disproportionately impacted by environmental and public health hazards that represent the geographic diversity of the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>One representative of a business organization;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>One representative of an environmental organization; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>One representative who is a health expert on environmental justice issues;</text> </level> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>One representative of local government, designated by the Maryland Association of Counties;</text> </level> <level label="xii"> <text>One representative of local government, designated by the Maryland Municipal League; and</text> </level> <level label="xiii"> <text>Two representatives of a labor union, designated by the Maryland State and D.C. AFL–CIO.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To the extent practicable, the membership of the Commission shall reflect the racial, gender, ethnic, and geographic diversity of the State, according to the most recent available census data.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of a member appointed by the Governor or the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House is 3 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A member may not be appointed to more than two consecutive terms.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Department shall provide a new Commission member with an orientation that reviews:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Environmental justice issues in the State; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Previous work of the Commission.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Commission shall elect a chair from among its members.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department shall provide staff for the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The staffing responsibilities of the Department shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Conducting research and gathering data at the direction of the Commission;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Arranging and staffing Commission meetings;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Serving as an informed resource for the chair and members; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Managing, implementing, and carrying out the Commission’s work to achieve its mission and overall purpose.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>The Commission shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Meet at least six times per calendar year; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Host at least four community listening sessions per calendar year in communities disproportionately impacted by environmental and public health hazards, with a majority of the members of the Commission present at each community listening session.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Of the meetings and community listening sessions required under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the Commission shall establish rotating meeting or community listening session locations in different geographic locations of the State, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>At least one in a rural location of the State; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>At least one in an urban location of the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The meetings and community listening sessions required under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph shall be reasonably accessible to all attendees, including persons with:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Limited English proficiency; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Disabilities.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The Department shall post notice of the time and location of a meeting or community listening session required under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph on its website at least 30 days before the meeting or community listening session.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A majority of members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A member of the Commission:</text> <level label="i"> <text>May not receive compensation as a member of the Commission; but</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A member of the Commission may not represent more than one entity or group.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The Commission shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Advise State government agencies on environmental justice and related community issues;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Use data sets and mapping tools to review and analyze the impact of current State and local laws, permits, actions, and policies on the issue of environmental justice and sustainable communities, including cumulative impacts, effects, and exposure;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Assess the adequacy of State and local government laws to address the issue of environmental justice and sustainable communities, including assessing compliance with Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Coordinate with the Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council, the Maryland Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, and the Commission on Climate Change on recommendations related to environmental justice and sustainable communities;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>In accordance with § 1–702 of this subtitle, coordinate with the Department on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The adoption of a methodology for identifying communities disproportionately affected by climate impacts;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The development of specific strategies to address geographical impact concerns, reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and co–pollutants, and build climate equity and resilience within disproportionately affected communities; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The establishment of goals for the percentage of State funding for greenhouse gas emission reduction measures that should be used for the benefit of disproportionately affected communities;</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Recommend options to the Governor and the General Assembly for addressing issues, concerns, or problems related to environmental justice that surface after reviewing State laws and policies, including prioritizing areas of the State that need immediate attention; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Recommend options to the Secretary for ensuring that the Department is making progress in advancing the human right to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water for consumption, cooking, sanitation, health, and recreation purposes.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>On or before October 1 of each year, the Commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-702" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Environmental Justice"> <level label="a"> <text>On or before December 31, 2023, the Department, in consultation with the Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities, shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, adopt a methodology for identifying communities disproportionately affected by climate impacts;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Develop specific strategies to address geographical impact concerns, reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and co–pollutants, and build climate equity and resilience within communities disproportionately affected by climate impacts;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Set appropriate goals for the percentage of State funding for greenhouse gas emission reduction measures that should be used for the benefit of disproportionately affected communities; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Report to the Maryland Commission on Climate Change and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the policies and programs developed under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In evaluating methodologies under subsection (a)(1) of this section, the Department shall, at a minimum, include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Underserved communities;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Overburdened communities; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Areas that are vulnerable to climate impacts, such as flooding, storm surges, and urban heat island effects, due to low levels of tree coverage, high levels of impervious surfaces, or other factors.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In carrying out its responsibilities under this section, the Department shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Solicit input from all segments of the population that will be impacted by the policies developed under subsection (a) of this section, including individuals living in areas that may be identified as disproportionately affected communities under the proposed criteria;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Ensure that equity and geographical impact remedies are key principles; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Incorporate geographical impact considerations into all recommendations, policies, programs, and funding priorities.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-801" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Environmental Covenants Act"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Activity and use limitation” means a restriction or obligation created under this subtitle with respect to real property.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Agency” means the Department or any other state or federal agency that determines or approves the environmental response project pursuant to which an environmental covenant is created.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Common interest community” means a condominium, cooperative, or other real property with respect to which a person, by virtue of the person’s ownership of a parcel of real property, is obligated to pay property taxes or insurance premiums, or for maintenance, or improvement of other real property described in a recorded covenant that creates the common interest community.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Environmental covenant” means a servitude arising under an environmental response project that imposes activity and use limitations.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Environmental response project” means a plan or work performed for environmental remediation of real property that is conducted:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Under a federal or state program governing environmental remediation of real property, including Title 7, Subtitle 5 of this article; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Incident to closure of a solid or hazardous waste management unit, if the closure is conducted with approval of an agency.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Holder” means the grantee of an environmental covenant.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“Person” means an individual, corporation, business trust, statutory trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, government, governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Record”, when used as a noun, means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <text>“State” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-802" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Environmental Covenants Act"> <level label="a"> <text>An environmental covenant shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>State that the instrument is an environmental covenant executed pursuant to this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Contain a legally sufficient description of the real property subject to the covenant;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Describe the activity and use limitations on the real property;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Identify every holder;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Be signed by the Agency and every holder;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Unless excepted by the Agency, be signed by every owner of the fee simple of the real property subject to the covenant; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Identify the name and location of any administrative record for the environmental response project reflected in the environmental covenant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In addition to the information required under subsection (a) of this section, an environmental covenant may contain other information, restrictions, and requirements agreed to by the persons who signed it, including any:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Requirements for notice following transfer of a specified interest in, or concerning proposed changes in use of, applications for building permits or proposals for any site work affecting the contamination on the property subject to the covenant;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Requirements for periodic reporting describing compliance with the covenant;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Rights of access to the property granted in connection with implementation or enforcement of the covenant;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Brief narrative descriptions of the contamination and remedy, including the contaminants of concern, the pathways of exposure, limits on exposure, and the location and extent of the contamination;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Limitations on amendment or termination of the covenant in addition to those provided under §§ 1-808 and 1-809 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Rights of the holder in addition to the holder’s right to enforce the covenant under § 1-810 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In addition to other conditions for the Agency’s approval of an environmental covenant, the Agency may require those persons specified by the Agency who have interests in the real property to sign the covenant.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-803" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Environmental Covenants Act"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Any person, including a person that owns an interest in the real property, the Agency, or a municipality or other unit of local government, may be a holder of an environmental covenant.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An environmental covenant may identify more than one holder.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The interest of a holder of an environmental covenant is an interest in real property.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A right of an agency under this subtitle or under an environmental covenant, other than a right as a holder, is not an interest in real property.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>An agency is bound by any obligation it assumes in an environmental covenant, but an agency does not assume obligations merely by signing an environmental covenant.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any person other than an agency that signs an environmental covenant is bound by the obligations the person assumes in the covenant, but signing the covenant does not change obligations, rights, or protections granted or imposed under law other than this subtitle except as provided in the covenant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The provisions of this subsection apply to interests in real property in existence at the time an environmental covenant is created or amended.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An interest that has priority under other law is not affected by an environmental covenant unless the person that owns the interest subordinates that interest to the covenant.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A person that owns an interest that has priority under other law is not required under this subtitle to subordinate that interest to an environmental covenant or to agree to be bound by the covenant.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>A subordination agreement may be contained in an environmental covenant covering real property or in a separate record.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the environmental covenant covers commonly owned property in a common interest community, the record may be signed by any person authorized by the governing board of the owners’ association.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>An agreement by a person to subordinate an interest that has priority under other law to an environmental covenant affects the priority of that person’s interest but does not by itself impose any affirmative obligation on the person with respect to the environmental covenant.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-804" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Environmental Covenants Act"> <level label="a"> <text>An environmental covenant that complies with this subtitle runs with the land.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An environmental covenant that is otherwise effective is valid and enforceable even if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>It is not appurtenant to an interest in real property;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>It can be or has been assigned to a person other than the original holder;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>It is not of a character that has been recognized traditionally at common law;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>It imposes a negative burden;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>It imposes an affirmative obligation on a person having an interest in the real property or on the holder;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The benefit or burden does not touch or concern real property;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>There is no privity of estate or contract;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>The holder dies, ceases to exist, resigns, or is replaced; or</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>The owner of an interest subject to the environmental covenant and the holder are the same person.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An instrument that creates restrictions or obligations with respect to real property that would qualify as activity and use limitations except for the fact that the instrument was recorded before October 1, 2005, is not invalid or unenforceable because of any of the limitations on enforcement of interests described in subsection (b) of this section or because it was identified as an easement, servitude, deed restriction, or other interest. This subtitle does not apply in any other respect to such an instrument.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>This subtitle does not invalidate or render unenforceable any interest, whether designated as an environmental covenant or other interest, that is otherwise enforceable under state law.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-805" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Environmental Covenants Act"> <level label="a"> <text>This subtitle does not authorize a use of real property that is otherwise prohibited by zoning, by law other than this subtitle regulating use of real property, or by a recorded instrument that has priority over the environmental covenant.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An environmental covenant may prohibit or restrict uses of real property that are authorized by zoning or by law other than this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-806" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Environmental Covenants Act"> <level label="a"> <text>A copy of an environmental covenant shall be provided by the persons and in the manner required by the agency to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Each person that signed the covenant;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each person holding a recorded interest in the real property subject to the covenant;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Each person in possession of the real property subject to the covenant;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Each municipality or other unit of local government in which real property subject to the covenant is located; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Any other person the Agency requires.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The validity of a covenant is not affected by failure to provide a copy of the covenant as required under this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-807" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Environmental Covenants Act"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>An environmental covenant and any amendment or termination of the covenant must be recorded in every county in which any portion of the real property subject to the covenant is located.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For purposes of indexing, a holder shall be treated as a grantee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as otherwise provided under § 1-808(c) of this subtitle, an environmental covenant is subject to the laws of the state governing recording and priority of interests in real property.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-808" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Environmental Covenants Act"> <level label="a"> <text>An environmental covenant is perpetual unless it is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>By its terms, limited to a specific duration or terminated by the occurrence of a specific event;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Terminated by consent as provided under § 1-809 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Terminated under subsection (b) of this section;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Terminated by foreclosure of an interest that has priority over the environmental covenant; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Terminated or modified in an eminent domain proceeding, if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The Agency that signed the covenant is a party to the proceeding;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Each person identified in § 1-809(a) and (b) of this subtitle is given notice of the pendency of the proceeding; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The court determines, after a hearing, that the termination or modification will not adversely affect human health or the environment.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If the Agency that signed an environmental covenant has determined that the intended benefits of the covenant can no longer be realized, a court, under the doctrine of changed circumstances, in an action in which all persons identified in § 1-809(a) and (b) of this subtitle have been given notice, may terminate the covenant or reduce its burden on the real property subject to the covenant.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Agency’s determination or its failure to make a determination upon request is subject to review in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, an environmental covenant may not be extinguished, limited, or impaired through issuance of a tax deed, foreclosure of a tax lien, or application of the doctrine of adverse possession, prescription, abandonment, waiver, lack of enforcement, or acquiescence, or a similar doctrine.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-809" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Environmental Covenants Act"> <level label="a"> <text>An environmental covenant may be amended or terminated by consent only if the amendment or termination is signed by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Agency;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Unless waived by the Agency, the current owner of the fee simple of the real property subject to the covenant;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Each person that originally signed the covenant, unless:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The person waived in a signed record the right to consent; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A court finds that the person no longer exists or cannot be located or identified with the exercise of reasonable diligence; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d)(2) of this section, the holder.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If an interest in real property is subject to an environmental covenant, the interest is not affected by an amendment of the covenant unless the current owner of the interest consents to the amendment or has waived in a signed record the right to consent to amendments.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except for an assignment undertaken in accordance with a governmental reorganization, assignment of an environmental covenant to a new holder shall be considered to be an amendment of the covenant.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in an environmental covenant:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A holder may not assign its interest without consent of the other parties; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A holder may be removed and replaced by agreement of the other parties specified in subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A court of competent jurisdiction may fill a vacancy in the position of holder.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-810" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Environmental Covenants Act"> <level label="a"> <text>A civil action for injunctive or other equitable relief for violation of an environmental covenant may be maintained by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A party to the covenant;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Agency or, if it is not the Agency, the Department;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any person to whom the covenant expressly grants power to enforce;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A person whose interest in the real property or whose collateral or liability may be affected by the alleged violation of the covenant; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The county or municipal corporation in which the real property subject to the covenant is located.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This subtitle does not limit the regulatory authority of the Agency or the Department under law, other than this subtitle, with respect to an environmental response project.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person is not responsible for or subject to liability for environmental remediation solely because the person has the right to enforce an environmental covenant.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-811" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Environmental Covenants Act"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department shall establish and maintain a registry that contains all environmental covenants and any amendment or termination of those covenants.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The registry may contain any other information concerning environmental covenants and the real property subject to them that the Department considers appropriate.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For purposes of the Maryland Public Information Act, the registry is a public record.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>After an environmental covenant or an amendment or termination of a covenant is filed in the registry established under subsection (a) of this section, a notice of the covenant, amendment, or termination that meets the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection may be recorded in the land records in lieu of recording the entire covenant.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A notice shall contain:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A legally sufficient description and any available street address of the real property subject to the covenant;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The name and address of the owner of the fee simple interest in the real property, the Department, and the holder if other than the Department;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A statement that the covenant, amendment, or termination is available in a registry at the Department, including the method of any electronic access; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>A statement that the notice is notification of an environmental covenant executed pursuant to this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A statement in substantially the following form, executed with the same formalities as a deed in the State, satisfies the requirements of subsection (b) of this section:</text> <text>“1. This notice is filed in the land records of (political subdivision) of (name of jurisdiction in which the real property is located) pursuant to § 1–811 of the Environment Article.</text> <level label="2"> <text>This notice and the covenant, amendment, or termination to which it refers may impose significant obligations with respect to the property described below.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A legal description of the property is attached as Exhibit A to this notice. The address of the property that is subject to the environmental covenant is (insert address of property or state that the address is not available).</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The name and address of the owner of the fee simple interest in the real property on the date of this notice is (name of current owner of the property and the owner’s current address as shown on the tax records of the jurisdiction in which the property is located).</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The environmental covenant, amendment, or termination was signed by (name and address of the signing agency).</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The environmental covenant, amendment, or termination was filed in the registry on (date of filing).</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>The full text of the covenant, amendment, or termination and any other information required by the Department of the Environment is on file and available for inspection and copying in the registry maintained for that purpose by the Department.”.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-812" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Environmental Covenants Act"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided under subsection (b) of this section, this subtitle modifies, limits, or supersedes the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This subtitle does not modify, limit, or supersede § 7001(a) or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in § 7003(b) of the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-813" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Environmental Covenants Act"> <text>This subtitle shall be applied and construed to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the subject of this subtitle among states enacting it.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-814" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Environmental Covenants Act"> <text>This subtitle may be cited as the Maryland Uniform Environmental Covenants Act.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-815" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Environmental Covenants Act"> <text>If any provision of this subtitle or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this subtitle which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this subtitle are severable.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-901" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Clean Water Justice Act"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Costs of litigation” includes reasonable attorney’s fees, court costs, and expert witness fees.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Ephemeral stream” means a body of water with:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A stream bed located above the water table year–round;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A stream flow primarily sourced from rainfall runoff; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Flowing water only during, and for a short duration after, precipitation events in a typical year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Intermittent stream” means a body of water with:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Flowing water during certain times of the year, when groundwater provides water for stream flow; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A stream flow supplemented by runoff from rainfall.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Person” means an individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, personal representative, fiduciary, or representative of any kind and any partnership, firm, association, corporation, or other nongovernmental entity.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Political subdivision” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A county;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The City of Baltimore;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A multicounty agency;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A municipal corporation;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A single–purpose district; or</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>A sanitary district.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Standard” means any requirement, prohibition, limitation, or condition established by statute, regulation, permit, order, or license issued by the Secretary in accordance with:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Title 5, Subtitle 9 of this article, if the requirement, prohibition, limitation, or condition is related to nontidal wetlands that do not have a continuous surface connection to surface water; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Title 9, Subtitle 3 of this article, if the requirement, prohibition, limitation, or condition is related to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>An ephemeral stream; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>An intermittent stream.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-902" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Clean Water Justice Act"> <text>Except as provided in this subtitle, a person that meets the threshold standing requirements under federal law has standing in civil claims arising under any standard.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-903" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Clean Water Justice Act"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a person that has standing under § 1–902 of this subtitle may bring a civil action on the person’s own behalf against any person or political subdivision that is alleged to be in violation of any standard.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, an action may not be brought under subsection (a) of this section unless the plaintiff first gives 60 days’ notice of the alleged violation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Notice under this subsection shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>By certified mail; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>By personal service; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Provided to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Attorney General;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any local jurisdiction in which the violation is alleged to occur; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>An alleged violator of the standard.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>An action may not be brought under subsection (a) of this section if the Secretary has commenced and is diligently prosecuting a civil action or a consent order is entered to require compliance from the alleged violator.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Notwithstanding subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, a person that meets the threshold standing requirements under federal law may intervene in a civil action brought by the Secretary, as provided in § 1–904 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Notice under this subsection shall identify:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A standard violated;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>An activity constituting the violation;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A person suspected of being responsible for the violation;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The location of the violation;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The dates of violations if known; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>The name and address of the person giving notice.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An action brought in accordance with this section shall be brought in any circuit court of a county where the condition, activity, or failure is alleged to be a violation of a standard.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Before the entering of any consent judgment to which the Department is not a party or before the dismissal of any case filed in accordance with this subtitle subject to a settlement agreement, the plaintiff shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Give notice and provide a complete and unredacted copy of the proposed consent judgment or settlement agreement to the Department and the Attorney General by personal service or certified mail at least 45 days before the date that the proposed consent judgment or settlement agreement is filed with the court; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>File an affidavit with the court under penalty of perjury indicating compliance with the requirement under item (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A court may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Order the enforcement of a standard; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Grant:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Temporary or permanent equitable relief; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Except as otherwise provided by this subtitle, any other relief provided under a standard.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>In an action under this section, the court may award the costs of litigation to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A prevailing plaintiff;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A substantially prevailing plaintiff; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A substantially prevailing defendant if the plaintiff’s claim was frivolous, unreasonable, or groundless.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, a court may impose a civil penalty authorized in accordance with the statute under which an action is brought under this section.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A court may approve a consent judgment or settlement agreement between the parties that includes a supplemental environmental project.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A civil penalty collected under this subsection shall be deposited in a manner specified by the statute.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The State may not be held liable for civil penalties in any action under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-904" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Clean Water Justice Act"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person that meets the threshold standing requirements under federal law has the unconditional right and authority to intervene in a civil action brought by the Secretary under:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Title 5, Subtitle 9 of this article; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Title 9, Subtitle 3 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person shall exercise the right to intervene under paragraph (1) of this subsection in accordance with the applicable practices, procedures, and laws in the State.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A person that has standing to intervene under paragraph (1) of this subsection has the same rights as an interested person or aggrieved party under the federal Clean Water Act.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The State may intervene as a matter of right at any time in any proceeding brought under this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="1-1001" title_number="1" title_name="Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement" subtitle_number="10" subtitle_name="Ecological Restoration"> <text>In this subtitle, “ecological restoration” means an activity undertaken with the goal of recovering, re–establishing, or enhancing a degraded, damaged, or destroyed ecosystem through:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Improvements to physical, chemical, or biological characteristics or processes;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Returning natural or historical functions or services; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Protecting or improving resiliency.</text> </level> </section>