<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 08.19.05.02" title_num="08" subtitle_num="19" chapter_num="05" heading="Long-Term Protective Agreements.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>An applicant under the State or local program shall have in effect at all times approved long-term protective measures as provided for in Natural Resources Article, §5-1607, Annotated Code of Maryland, to retain as forest all land forested, afforested, or reforested under this subtitle. A local program shall contain provisions for long-term protective measures including, but not limited to, §B of this regulation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Approved Forest Management Plan.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Procedure for Approval.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The forest management plan:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Shall be legally binding from the date of approval;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Shall be prepared by a licensed professional forester;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Shall be submitted to the Department's forester assigned to the county where the property is located; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>May be amended periodically, as provided for in §B(2) of this regulation.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The Department's forester shall review the plan to ensure that it is complete and consistent with the State or local program.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The Department shall notify the local authority and the applicant if the forest management plan is approved.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Procedure for Amendment of an Approved Forest Management Plan.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An approved forest management plan may be amended if there is a change in site conditions or landowner objectives.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Amendments shall be prepared by a licensed professional forester.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The amendment shall be submitted to the Department's forester assigned to the county where the property is located.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The forester shall review the amendment to ensure that it is complete and consistent with the State or local program.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>The Department shall notify the local authority and the applicant if the amendment is approved.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>The applicant shall sign the amendment.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Forest Conservation and Management Agreement.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An applicant may satisfy the requirement for long-term protection under Natural Resources Article, §5-1607(e), Annotated Code of Maryland, by executing and maintaining a Forest Conservation and Management Agreement, as provided in Tax-Property Article, §8-211, Annotated Code of Maryland, and COMAR 08.07.03.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>This agreement shall provide for notification to the approving authority on its termination by the property owner.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Other Legally Binding Protective Agreements.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Other legally binding protective agreements include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Covenants running with the land;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Deed restrictions;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Conservation easements; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Land trusts.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Other legally binding agreements shall provide:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Protection for land forested, afforested, or reforested under Natural Resources Article, §§5-1601—5-1612, Annotated Code of Maryland, and this subtitle; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Limitation on the uses of forest to those that are consistent with forest conservation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Within 30 days of execution, an applicant shall record a legally binding protective agreement under this section in the local land record office in the county where the project is located.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>An applicant may include in a forest conservation plan another long-term protective measure if the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Department that the measure will provide for the long-term protection of the areas retained, afforested, or reforested under this subtitle.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Procedure for a Timber Harvesting Plan.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An individual may harvest timber on forested, reforested, or afforested areas protected under an approved forest conservation plan provided that the harvest:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Is consistent with the intent of an approved forest management plan, forest conservation management agreement, or other long-term protective agreement;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Is subject to a timber harvest plan:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Prepared by a licensed professional forester,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Submitted to the local forest conservancy district board for review and approval, and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>That remains in effect for 2 years; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Is consistent with the intent and requirements of the approved forest conservation plan.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The local forest conservancy district board shall notify the individual whether the timber harvest plan under §F(1) of this regulation has been approved.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>