<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="5-903" title_number="5" title_name="Water Resources" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Nontidal Wetlands">
  <level label="a">
    <text>There is a statewide program within the Department for the conservation, regulation, enhancement, creation, monitoring, and wise use of nontidal wetlands.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The Department shall:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Coordinate with other State agencies, federal agencies, other states, local governments, and interested persons in the regulation of nontidal wetlands;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Assist local governments in undertaking nontidal wetland management planning, including mapping, technical assistance, and expediting the permit process;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Develop certification programs to ensure uniform and professional standards for the identification, delineation, functional assessment, and mitigation of nontidal wetlands;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Evaluate proposed activities on nontidal wetlands and grant or deny permits or other approvals of proposed activities;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>Conduct watershed studies and educational programs and disseminate information concerning the nontidal wetlands program;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>Prepare, adopt, and periodically revise guidance maps of nontidal wetlands;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>Adopt standards for planning, regulating, restoring, creating, and enhancing nontidal wetlands;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="8">
      <text>Purchase, restore, and create nontidal wetlands; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="9">
      <text>Conduct periodic monitoring, cumulative impact assessment, and evaluation of activities authorized under this subtitle.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>By December 31, 1989 the Department shall adopt final regulations necessary to administer this subtitle, in accordance with § 10-111(a) of the State Government Article.</text>
  </level>
</section>
