§ 1–414
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Land Use § 1-414 (2026)
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Subtitle 4. Home Rule Counties
§ 1–414LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In addition to implementing the planning principle in § 1–201(b)(8) of this title, the ecology element shall address:
(1)
the protection of the environment and natural resources, including agricultural resources, mineral resources, and water and air quality;
(2)
the protection of significant architectural, scenic, cultural, historical, or archaeological resources;
(3)
the conservation, use, and protection of natural resources;
(4)
the preservation and enhancement of prime agricultural land and strategies to encourage the compatibility of land use with agricultural and forestry operations;
(5)
the protection of a reliable supply of water and its uses and limitations;
(6)
preventing the degradation of the above resources due to future development patterns proposed in the land element;
(7)
greenhouse gas emissions from any additional vehicle miles traveled likely to result from future development patterns proposed in the land element;
(8)
sensitive areas in accordance with subsection (d) of this section; and
(9)
water resources in accordance with subsection (e) of this section.
(b)
(1)
The ecology element shall be informed by the following State plans:
(i)
Maryland’s Climate Pollution Reduction Plan, as described in § 2–1205 of the Environment Article;
(ii)
the Maryland Land Preservation and Recreation Plan, as described in § 5–906 of the Natural Resources Article; and
(iii)
the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, as required under the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965.
(2)
The Department of Planning shall:
(i)
provide a charter county with the best available population, demographic, economic development, and housing data from the U.S. Census Bureau and other standard sources; and
(ii)
facilitate, to the extent possible, the provision of data relevant to the preparation of the ecology element from other State and federal agencies.
(c)
The ecology element may include:
(1)
an inventory of natural, historical, and environmentally sensitive resources;
(2)
an evaluation of the issues, problems, and opportunities associated with these resources; and
(3)
strategies and policies for the appropriate use, preservation, and protection of these resources that are consistent with the strategies and policies established for other plan elements.
(d)
(1)
The ecology element shall include a sensitive areas subelement in accordance with this subsection.
(2)
The sensitive areas subelement shall:
(i)
include goals, objectives, principles, policies, and standards designed to protect sensitive areas from the adverse effects of development;
(ii)
be informed by current State and federal requirements regarding the protection of sensitive areas; and
(iii)
indicate what additional measures, if any, the charter county proposes to implement beyond the requirements described in item (ii) of this paragraph.
(3)
A charter county shall consider wildlife movement and habitat connectivity when enacting, adopting, amending, or executing a plan in accordance with § 1–405 of this subtitle.
(4)
(i)
The Department of Natural Resources shall provide a charter county with a statewide forest resource inventory at least every 5 years, to be available for the local comprehensive plan review by the charter county required under § 1–419(a) of this subtitle.
(ii)
The Department of Planning shall coordinate with the Department of Natural Resources and the State Highway Administration to provide each charter county with updated information on habitat connectivity concerns and current and planned wildlife crossings.
(5)
Before the plan is adopted, the Department of the Environment and the Department of Natural Resources shall review the sensitive areas subelement to determine whether the proposed plan is consistent with the programs and goals of the departments.
(e)
(1)
The ecology element shall include a water resources subelement in accordance with this subsection.
(2)
Considering available data provided by the Department of the Environment, the water resources subelement shall identify:
(i)
drinking water and other water resources that will be adequate for the needs of existing and future development proposed in the land element of the plan; and
(ii)
suitable receiving waters and land areas to meet stormwater management and wastewater treatment and disposal needs of existing and future development proposed in the land element of the plan.
(3)
The Department of the Environment shall:
(i)
provide, on request of a charter county, technical assistance on the development of the water resources subelement; and
(ii)
review the water resources subelement to determine whether the proposed plan is consistent with the programs and goals of the Department of the Environment reflected in the general water resources program required under § 5–203 of the Environment Article.