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<section article="gnr" article_name="Natural Resources" number="5-1605" title_number="5" title_name="Forests and Parks" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Forest Conservation">
  <level label="a">
    <text>Upon receipt of notice that the forest stand delineation is complete and correct, the applicant shall submit to the State or local authority a proposed forest conservation plan for the site.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The forest conservation plan shall be developed by a licensed forester, professional landscape architect, or other qualified professionals that may be approved by the State or a local authority.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>A proposed forest conservation plan shall contain:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>A map of the site drawn at the same scale as the grading or subdivision plan;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A table listing the net tract area in square feet, the square foot area of forest conservation required for the site, and the square foot area of forest conservation provided by the applicant on–site and off–site, if applicable;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>A clear graphic indication of the forest conservation provided on the site showing areas where both retention of existing forest or afforestation, by any and all methods, is planned;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>An anticipated construction timetable, including the sequence for tree conservation procedures;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>An afforestation or reforestation plan with a timetable and description of needed site and soil preparation, species, size, and spacing to be utilized;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>Locations and types of protective devices to be used during construction activities to protect trees and areas of forest designated for conservation;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>Limits of disturbance delineated;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="8">
      <text>Stockpile areas delineated;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="9">
      <text>A binding 2–year management agreement that details how the areas designated for afforestation or reforestation will be maintained to ensure protection or satisfactory establishment including:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Watering; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Reinforcement planting provisions if survival falls below required standards; and</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="10">
      <text>Any other requirement established in regulations adopted by the Department, or imposed by a local authority.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>At least 20 days before approval of the forest conservation plan, the Department or local authority shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Provide notice that is consistent with local authority notice requirements to all property owners abutting and adjacent to the boundary of the subject property of any proposed clearing of a priority retention area as described in § 5–1607(c) of this subtitle; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <level label="1">
          <text>On a net tract area of at least 5 acres and if at least 75% of the priority retention area is proposed to be cleared, provide an opportunity for written and verbal comment before plan approval; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>For any other project where priority retention area is proposed for clearing, provide an opportunity for public written comment before plan approval.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Property separated from the subject property by a public right–of–way shall be considered abutting and adjacent.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <level label="i">
        <text>Within 45 days from receipt of the forest conservation plan, the Department or local authority shall notify the applicant whether the forest conservation plan is complete.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>If the Department or local authority fails to notify the applicant about the forest conservation plan within 45 days, the plan shall be treated as complete and approved.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>The Department or local authority may require further information or provide for an extension of this deadline for an additional 15 days for extenuating circumstances.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>In addition, at the request of the applicant, the State or local authority may extend this deadline for extenuating circumstances.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <level label="i">
        <text>A person petitioning for judicial review of an approved forest conservation plan shall file the petition in accordance with the Maryland Rules not later than 30 days after approval of the forest conservation plan.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Any judicial review of a forest conservation plan shall be:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>Conducted in accordance with the Maryland Rules; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>Limited to the record compiled by the Department or the local authority.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
