<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 08.19.04.04" title_num="08" subtitle_num="19" chapter_num="04" heading="Preliminary Forest Conservation Plan Submittal Procedures.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A preliminary forest conservation plan shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Be prepared by a licensed Maryland forester, a licensed landscape architect, or a qualified professional who meets the requirements stated 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="B.">
    <text>The Department shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Review an application for preliminary forest conservation plan approval to determine whether it is complete and correct; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Acknowledge receipt of the preliminary forest conservation plan in writing by regular mail.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The Department shall consider an application complete if the application contains all of the following:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The approved forest stand delineation for the site to scale;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A table listing the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Proposed values, when applicable, of the following to the nearest 1/10 of an acre including total:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Parcel area,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Tract area,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Area in 100-year nontidal floodplain,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Net tract area,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Area of existing forest cover,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>Area of proposed forest clearing,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vii)">
          <text>Area of reforestation,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(viii)">
          <text>Area of afforestation,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ix)">
          <text>Area of retention areas;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Land use category, pertinent threshold percent, and area;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Proposed location of retention areas;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Proposed specifications for protection of retention areas;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>In the case of afforestation or reforestation, a proposed afforestation or reforestation plan which shows:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Locations of areas to be planted;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Specifications for conducting the afforestation or reforestation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Construction sequence with notification for inspection;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Proposed maintenance and monitoring agreement;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>If the preliminary forest conservation plan designates off-site planting, the plan proposed in §C(5) of this regulation which contains a map of the proposed planting site showing:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Location;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Soils;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Environmental features which are priority planting areas as stated in Natural Resources Article, §5-1607(d), Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Proposed limits of disturbance delineated;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Proposed long-term protection agreement; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Sufficient information for the Department to process the forest conservation plan.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The review of a preliminary forest conservation plan shall be concurrent with the review of the preliminary site plan.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>A preliminary forest conservation plan may be modified during the different stages of the review process provided the Department approves the changes.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <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 person who signs an application shall be responsible for the truth, accuracy, and completeness of all information in the application.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>The preliminary forest conservation plan shall be:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Submitted at a reasonable time before a preliminary plan of subdivision is submitted; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Approved at the same time as a preliminary plan of subdivision is approved, unless the Department determines that the preliminary forest conservation plan is incomplete.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>For the purposes of processing the preliminary forest conservation plan, the Department shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Consult with the jurisdiction; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Determine when in the subdivision review process the preliminary plan of subdivision occurs.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>Approval of a preliminary forest conservation plan under the State program supersedes any inconsistent local laws, ordinances, or plans.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>An applicant may submit the information required by §C of this regulation as part of the final forest conservation plan under Regulation .05 of this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>