<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 08.19.04.02" title_num="08" subtitle_num="19" chapter_num="04" heading="Forest Stand Delineation Submittal Procedures.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The Department shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Review an application for a forest stand delineation to determine whether it is complete and correct; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Acknowledge receipt of the application in writing by regular mail.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The Department shall consider a forest stand delineation application complete if the application contains all of the following information:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A site vicinity map showing the location of the site in relation to other properties within approximately 1 square mile or more, including forested and sensitive areas adjacent to the site;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An environmental features map, also known as a forest stand delineation map, which is prepared at the same scale as the proposed development plan showing where applicable:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>100-year nontidal floodplains in watersheds 400 acres or larger, or for Class III streams,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Intermittent streams and perennial streams, including buffers that are at least 50 feet wide measured from the top of the normal bank,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Steep slopes of 25 percent or more,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Critical habitat areas,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Nontidal or tidal wetlands and their buffers,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Topographic contours and intervals,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Hydric soils, erodible soils on slopes of 15 percent or more, and soils with structural limitations as classified by USDA soil surveys; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A completed application form supplied by the Department, complying with the requirements of §§I and J of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A simplified forest stand delineation may be used if:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Forest does not currently exist on the site or forest on the site will not be cut, cleared, or graded for the proposed development;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>All forest on the site will be protected under a long-term protective agreement; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The environmental features map, in addition to the requirements of §B of this regulation, exhibits:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Field-verified forest boundaries delineating the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Maximum aerial extent of the canopy, and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Extent of contiguous forest up to 100 feet from the property boundaries and the size of contiguous forest in acres, if forest extends off-site;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Dominant species type of the forest;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A proposed limit of disturbance line; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Proposed areas of long-term protection.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>An intermediate forest stand delineation may be used if:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The forest retention on a development site will be greater or equal to the calculation of a break-even amount as provided in Natural Resources Article, §5-1606(b)—(e), Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Priority forest and priority retention areas, as provided in Natural Resources Article, §5-1607, Annotated Code of Maryland, will not be disturbed during or after development;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The environmental features map, in addition to the requirements in §C(4) of this regulation, exhibits:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The calculations necessary to demonstrate that the development proposal meets the condition of forest retention and protection in an amount greater than or equal to the break-even amount,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Confirmation by a walk-through survey, by a qualified professional, of forested areas that the proposed disturbance areas do not contain any priority forests or priority retention areas,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Composition, using dominant species, forest association, or other description,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Total acreage of forest proposed for disturbance,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Past and present management practices, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Potential of forested areas adjacent to proposed disturbance limits to recover, or recommendations for management after disturbance.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>A full forest stand delineation:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Shall be used if a development does not fall within the category for which an intermediate or simplified forest stand delineation is applicable; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Includes an environmental features map, in addition to the requirements of §B of this regulation, that exhibits:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Location, description, and size of forest stands with forest boundaries extending off-site,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Sampling locations used for the analysis and, if a plot method is used, the centers of the plots marked in the field,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Field-verified locations of any priority retention areas, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Field-verified locations of any priority afforestation areas located outside of existing forest areas.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>A full forest stand delineation application shall include a forest stand summary analysis of existing forest stands and environmental features:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Using field sampling with methods that ensure a minimum of 67 percent confidence level or procedures approved by the Department;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Giving a general site description including soils, topography, and hydrology;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Detailing methodology of sampling;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Describing forest stand:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Composition derived from species specific data,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Structure,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Condition,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Function; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Evaluating areas for retention or disturbance.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>An approved forest stand delineation may remain in effect for a period not longer than 5 years.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>A simplified, intermediate, or full forest stand delineation shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Be prepared by a licensed Maryland forester, licensed landscape architect, or qualified professional as specified in COMAR 08.19.06.01A; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Exhibit a stamp or certification of the preparer.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>Authorized Signature.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The application shall be signed by:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An officer of the corporation or an authorized agent of a corporation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>An authorized official of a federal, State, or local government;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A partner of an association or partnership; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>An individual applicant.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The individual who signs an application is responsible for the truth, accuracy, and completeness of all information in the application.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>Time for Submittal.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A forest stand delineation for the affected tract shall be submitted:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>At the initial stages of subdivision or project plan approval;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Before a grading permit application is submitted; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Before a sediment control application is submitted.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A local jurisdiction or other approving authority that approves subdivision or project plans or that issues grading or sediment control permits may not proceed with the subdivision or permit approval process until it receives notice from the Department that the forest stand delineation is complete and correct.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="K.">
    <text>Notification by the Department.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Department shall notify an applicant in writing within 30 calendar days of receipt of the forest stand delineation as to whether the application is complete and correct.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the forest stand delineation application is incomplete or information submitted is insufficient, the Department shall notify the applicant in writing of the additional information needed.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If the delineation is incorrect, the Department shall notify the applicant and require the applicant to correct the delineation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If the Department fails to notify an applicant within 30 calendar days of receipt of the forest stand delineation application, the application shall be considered complete and the delineation correct.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The Department may provide for an additional 15 calendar days for notification to an applicant when the following extenuating circumstances prevent consideration of the application:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Inclement weather conditions;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Review required by other State agencies;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Review required by local agencies; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Other justifiable extenuating circumstances.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>