Title 25. Public Watershed Associations — Subtitle 4. Watershed Work Plan
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 25-401 (2026)
Title 25. Public Watershed Associations
Subtitle 4. Watershed Work Plan
§ 25–401LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
The board of directors of the watershed association shall develop a work plan for the watershed or subwatershed area.
(2)
The watershed work plan may include:
(i)
watershed protection;
(ii)
flood prevention;
(iii)
recreation;
(iv)
soil conservation;
(v)
drainage; and
(vi)
the conservation, development, storage, use, and disposal of water for any beneficial purpose.
(b)
In developing the watershed work plan, the board of directors:
(1)
shall engage the services of private engineers; or
(2)
may use the services of planners and engineers of local, State, and federal units of government.
(c)
A member or an agent of the board of directors:
(1)
may enter the land to make surveys and examinations for developing a watershed work plan; and
(2)
is liable for actual damage done to any land entered during a survey or examination.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 25-402 (2026)
Title 25. Public Watershed Associations
Subtitle 4. Watershed Work Plan
§ 25–402LinkCopy Citation
The watershed work plan developed under § 25–401 of this subtitle shall include:
(1)
the location of each proposed watershed project on a map, drawing, or aerial photograph;
(2)
a general delineation of the boundaries of the area affected by the watershed association with the general location in the county affected;
(3)
engineering plans in sufficient detail to describe the proposed project;
(4)
a general delineation of the boundaries of each tract of land in the area affected by the watershed association, including an estimate of the acreage of each tract; and
(5)
the total estimated construction cost of each proposed watershed project.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 25-403 (2026)
Title 25. Public Watershed Associations
Subtitle 4. Watershed Work Plan
§ 25–403LinkCopy Citation
(a)
On completion of the watershed work plan, or on the acceptance of a previously completed watershed work plan, the board of directors shall call a meeting of the landowners to vote on the adoption of the plan for submission to the county commissioners, county council, or Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City.
(b)
(1)
At least 10 days before the meeting, the board of directors shall:
(i)
post a notice of the meeting in four public places in the area or vicinity of the area affected by the watershed association; and
(ii)
mail a notice to each landowner.
(2)
The notice shall state the time, place, and purpose of the meeting.
(c)
At the meeting required under subsection (a) of this section:
(1)
each landowner is entitled to one vote; and
(2)
any landowner may vote by proxy if the proxy is dated, signed by the individual entitled to vote, and witnessed by at least one individual.
(d)
(1)
The board of directors shall determine whether to submit the watershed work plan to the county commissioners, county council, or Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City for review and approval.
(2)
In making the determination, the board of directors shall consider:
(i)
the vote of each landowner;
(ii)
the probable apportionment of benefits to each landowner based on acreage;
(iii)
the location of the watershed project; and
(iv)
the extent of the benefits to the voter’s land by the watershed project.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 25-404 (2026)
Title 25. Public Watershed Associations
Subtitle 4. Watershed Work Plan
§ 25–404LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
If the board of directors decides to submit the watershed work plan to the county commissioners, county council, or Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City, the board of directors shall submit three copies of the watershed work plan.
(2)
The county commissioners, county council, or Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City shall forward a copy of the watershed work plan to the State Soil Conservation Committee in the Department of Agriculture.
(b)
The board of directors shall include with the submission of the watershed work plan a statement that the board of directors has determined that the watershed project:
(1)
is feasible;
(2)
will benefit the public and promote public health, safety, and welfare; and
(3)
will produce sufficient benefits to warrant the expenditure.
Md. Code Ann., Local Gov't § 25-405 (2026)
Title 25. Public Watershed Associations
Subtitle 4. Watershed Work Plan
§ 25–405LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
If, after the review and approval of the watershed work plan under § 25–404 of this subtitle, the board of directors determines that it is in the interest of the watershed association to modify the purpose, scope, or location of the watershed project covered in the watershed work plan in a manner that would change the benefits or damages to landowners, the board of directors shall develop a supplemental watershed work plan.
(2)
The supplemental watershed work plan shall:
(i)
be developed as provided in § 25–401 of this subtitle; and
(ii)
include the modified watershed project.
(b)
The board of directors and the county commissioners, county council, or Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City shall follow the procedures set forth in §§ 25–402 through 25–404 of this subtitle in implementing the supplemental watershed work plan.
(c)
A watershed viewers’ report required under § 25–505 of this title based on a supplemental work plan developed and submitted under this subtitle that is approved by the county commissioners, county council, or Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City shall supersede any prior watershed viewers’ report.