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<section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="16-205" title_number="16" title_name="Wetlands and Riparian Rights" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Wetlands">
  <level label="a">
    <text>The Board may require as a condition to issuance of a wetlands license that compensation be made to the State, of a kind and in an amount deemed appropriate by the Board.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Board shall establish a compensation rate for cables, pipelines, or similar structures in accordance with this subsection.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The minimum compensation rate:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Is $2.50 per linear foot per year for cables, pipelines, or similar structures;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Applies to each individual cable, pipeline, or similar structure; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Applies to all new and existing authorizations beginning July 2, 2012.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The Board may:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Increase the compensation rate as considered appropriate; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Adjust the compensation rate to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor or by an appropriate method selected by the Board.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Board shall establish an annual compensation rate for nonwater–dependent projects authorized under § 16–104(b)(2) of this title.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The Board shall assess an annual compensation rate for a nonwater–dependent project that is:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Based on the most recent data provided by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation in the assessment record for the real property to which the nonwater–dependent project is attached; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Computed by:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>Multiplying the total square footage of the nonwater–dependent project by a fraction, the denominator of which is the total square footage of the land area of the real property to which the nonwater–dependent project is attached, and the numerator of which is the assessed land value of the real property to which the nonwater–dependent project is attached; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>Multiplying the rate calculated under item 1 of this item by a percentage considered appropriate by the Board not to exceed 100%.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>In determining the appropriate percentage under paragraph (2)(ii)2 of this subsection, the Board may consider:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>The extent to which the nonwater–dependent project is used on a seasonal or year–round basis;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The extent of the economic impact of the nonwater–dependent project on the local jurisdiction;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>The nature and extent of the environmental impact of the nonwater–dependent project;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>The extent to which the nonwater–dependent project and, if applicable, its roof or covering, are permanent or temporary;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>Any history of violation of this title by the licensee;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>Any real property lease rates for the area for a commercial activity similar to the licensee’s or any real property appraisals obtained by the licensee; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>Any other factor that the Board considers relevant.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>The Board may periodically recalculate the annual compensation rate to reflect:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Any change to the data provided by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation under paragraph (2)(i) of this subsection; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>A change in any factor the Board considers under paragraph (3) of this subsection.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>Monetary compensation received by the State in conjunction with a wetlands license may not be applied to the State Annuity Bond Fund Account.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>There is created a special fund, known as the Tidal Wetlands Compensation Fund.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The following money shall be deposited in the Tidal Wetlands Compensation Fund:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Any monetary payment by a licensee in lieu of creating, restoring, or enhancing tidal wetlands that is required by the Department or the Board as a condition of a permit or license;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Any penalty imposed by a court in accordance with this title; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Any penalty imposed by the Department under this title.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>Funds in the Tidal Wetlands Compensation Fund may be appropriated only for the creation, restoration, or enhancement of tidal wetlands, including:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Acquisition of land or easements;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Maintenance of mitigation sites;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Purchase of credits in mitigation banks;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Management of invasive or nuisance species identified by the Department;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>Cost sharing assistance to landowners in the management and control of phragmites under Title 8, Subtitle 21 of the Natural Resources Article; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>Contractual services necessary to accomplish the intent of this subsection.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <text>Funds credited and any interest accrued to the Fund:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Shall remain available until expended; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>May not revert to the General Fund under any other provision of law.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="h">
    <text>All monetary compensation paid to the State in conjunction with a wetlands license other than that specified under subsection (e)(2) of this section shall be deposited in the Wetlands and Waterways Program Fund established under § 5–203.1 of this article.</text>
  </level>
</section>
