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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 08.03.08.02" title_num="08" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="08" heading="Petitioning.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Except for species determined to be threatened or endangered pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C. §§1531—1543, any interested person may petition the Director to add or remove a species or natural heritage area to or from a list in this chapter. The Director shall review the evidence regarding the requested action and make a recommendation to the Secretary whether or not to list or delist the species or natural heritage area.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>In a petition to list or delist a natural heritage area, the following information shall be provided:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A map of the proposed natural heritage area;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A description of the physical boundaries of the proposed area, total acreage, landowner name and address;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A description of the biological community represented by the natural heritage area including, as far as practical, a list of the fauna and flora there, and other geologic, hydrologic, or other features which blend together to make this area unique;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A description of all major threats to the continued existence of the area, or if petitioning to delist an area, a description of how the natural features and species composition of the area have changed so it is no longer suitable to be designated as a natural heritage area;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>A statement indicating why the area should or should not be considered as among the best statewide examples of its kind;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Other relevant information which might assist the Director in making a determination.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>All sites used for evidence of current abundance shall be extant and all sitings shall be documented with appropriate vouchers. In a petition to list or delist a species, the following information shall be provided:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A description of the biological distribution of the species in Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Its life needs and habitat requirements.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Evidence of its decline or evidence that it is more common than previously believed and documented.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>All known threats which jeopardize its continued existence.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Other relevant biological and ecological data or other life history information pertinent to its status.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>The species shall be presently recognized as a valid species, or infraspecific taxa of regional or national significance. There shall be adequate documentation that it occurs naturally and is permanently established in Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>