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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 08.19.06.03" title_num="08" subtitle_num="19" chapter_num="06" heading="Enforcement.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Application.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The provisions of this chapter apply to a person:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Under the State program making application for a subdivision or project plan, grading, or sediment control permit, on areas 40,000 square feet or greater; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Violating the terms and provisions of an easement, covenant, or deed restrictions regarding a forest mitigation bank.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A local authority may adopt the provisions of this chapter for the enforcement of a local program.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Complaints and Orders.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In addition to sanctions authorized by Natural Resources Article, §5-1612, Annotated Code of Maryland, the Department may serve a written complaint on an alleged violator if the Department determines that there has been a violation of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A provision of Natural Resources Article, §§5-1601—5-1611, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A regulation of this subtitle;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A forest stand delineation or forest conservation plan;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>An administrative order; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>An easement, covenant, or deed restriction regarding a forest mitigation bank.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The complaint shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Identify the violator and the location of the violation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>State the provision violated;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>State the specific facts on which the complaint is based; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Provide an opportunity to request a hearing to contest the complaint.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Corrective Action.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>At any time, including during an enforcement action, the Department may issue an administrative order requiring the violator to take corrective action within a certain time period.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The corrective action may include an order to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Stop the violation;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Stabilize the site;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Stop all construction work at the site of a regulated activity;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Restore or rectify unlawfully cleared areas; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Submit a written report or plan concerning the violation.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Service.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A complaint, order, or other administrative notice issued by the Department shall be served:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>On the violator personally;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>On the violator's agent at the activity site; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>By certified mail to the violator's last known address.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>An order issued under this regulation is effective immediately, according to its terms, when it is served.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Hearings.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Department shall give notice and hold a hearing under this chapter in conformance with State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland, and COMAR 08.01.04.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Within 10 calendar days of receiving a complaint, order, or notice under this chapter, the violator may request a hearing, in writing.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If a person has been served with an order for corrective action, the person may request a stay in conjunction with a request for a hearing.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A request for stay may be heard before or during a hearing on the complaint. At the request of a violator, a request for stay may be heard within 10 business days of the Department's receipt of the request.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Administrative Action for a Forest Conservation Plan or Bond. The Department may suspend or revoke a forest conservation plan or forfeit a bond on a forest conservation plan on failure of the violator to comply with the requirements of an administrative order.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>In addition to seeking an injunction to enforce the terms of any easement, covenant, or deed restrictions regarding a forest mitigation bank, or seeking any other civil remedies, the Department may assess noncompliance fees against a person found to be in noncompliance with the terms of an easement, covenant, or deed restrictions regarding a forest mitigation bank. The fee shall be a penalty of 30 cents per square foot of the area found to be in noncompliance with the requirements. Money collected as noncompliance penalties shall be deposited in the State Forest Conservation Fund.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Statutory Remedies. The provisions of this subtitle may not be construed to limit or affect the authority of the Department to proceed against violators under Natural Resources Article, §5-1612, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Plan Suspension and Revocation. The Department may suspend or revoke a plan after notice to the violator and opportunity for a hearing has been provided if the Department determines that one or more of the following has occurred:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Failure of a violator to post a bond required under COMAR 08.19.05.01B;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Failure to comply with the requirements of an administrative action or order issued under this subtitle, or for a violation of Natural Resources Article, §§5-1601—5-1612, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Misrepresentation in the application process or failure to disclose a relevant or material fact;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Violation of a forest conservation plan requirement;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Substantial deviation from the conditions, specifications, or requirements of a plan;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Changes in site conditions, new information, or amended regulatory requirements necessitate revocation before a person's rights under a plan have vested.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Notice. Except as provided under §G of this regulation, the Department may not suspend or revoke a forest conservation plan unless the Department first gives the violator written notice by certified mail of the specific facts that warrant suspension or revocation, and an opportunity to be heard.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Contested Case Hearings.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>On receipt of written notice to suspend or revoke a forest conservation plan, the violator has 10 calendar days to request a contested case hearing.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A hearing under this regulation shall be conducted in conformance with State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland, and COMAR 08.01.04.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If the Department does not receive a request for a hearing, the forest conservation plan shall be suspended or revoked.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Emergency Action.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Department may order the immediate suspension of a forest conservation plan if the Department finds that the public health, safety, or welfare imperatively requires the emergency suspension.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Department shall promptly give the violator written notice that the emergency action has been taken.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A notice of emergency action shall include a statement of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Specific facts on which the emergency suspension is based; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The violator's opportunity to be heard.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>