<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 08.07.03.03" title_num="08" subtitle_num="07" chapter_num="03" heading="Charges for Administering the Forest Conservation and Management Program.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Purpose. The purpose of these regulations is to recover the cost involved in administering the Forest Conservation and Management Program.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Definitions. For the purpose of this regulation:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>“Assistant Secretary” means Assistant Secretary of Land Resources; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>“Woodland owner” means the owner of at least 5 contiguous acres of land dominated by trees and other woody vegetation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Charges for Participating in a Forest Conservation and Management Agreement.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Except as provided in §C(2) of this regulation, a woodland owner shall pay a nonrefundable fee for participating in the Forest Management Program as follows:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Upon application, an entry fee of $50;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>An inspection fee every 5 years of $100; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>An amendment fee of $100 for each amendment to the agreement.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The fees required under §C(1)(b) and (c) of this regulation do not apply when:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The Department prepares a Forest Stewardship Plan, as defined in Natural Resources Article, §5-101(f), Annotated Code of Maryland, for submission with an inspection report or amendment; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The applicant pays the Department the plan preparation fee provided in COMAR 08.07.05.05B(1).</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Agriculturally Assessed Woodland. If woodland for which a Forest Conservation and Management Agreement is requested is subject to an agricultural assessment at the time application is made and has at any time been subject to an assessment other than an agricultural assessment, the Assistant Secretary may base the entry fee on the higher of the two assessments.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Charges for Inspections. A Forest Conservation and Management Agreement shall contain a provision which requires that inspections to determine compliance with the Agreement shall be made at least once every 5 years by a representative of the Department. Failure to allow an inspection by the Department to be conducted or to reimburse the Department for costs shall invalidate the Agreement, and result in a reassessment.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>