<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 15.20.01.04" title_num="15" subtitle_num="20" chapter_num="01" heading="Agricultural Drainage Project Plans.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Construction or Reconstruction Plan Requirements. Before constructing or reconstructing a project, an association shall comply with the following:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Submit four copies of the construction or reconstruction plan to the Secretary for approval.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The construction or reconstruction plan shall include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A transmittal letter to the Secretary, including:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The name of the association;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The name of the watershed and the drainage area involved; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>A map indicating north arrow, watershed boundaries, scale, and any other information necessary to locate the project.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The project design specifications, including:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>A general description of the project's soil types;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The layout of the drainage channels;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>The location of existing areas of trees and shrubs along the channel;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>The design and location of water control structures;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>The design and location of sediment traps;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>A hydrological analysis if required under Regulation .05B; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vii)">
          <text>A wetlands inventory map delineating the project. The association shall use the National Wetlands Inventory Maps available from the Department of Natural Resources. If the scale of the National Wetlands Inventory maps is inappropriate, the association may use maps of another scale, so long as the wetlands classification and mapping is consistent with the National Wetlands Inventory. Any lost wetlands required to be replaced under Regulation .05F and any wetlands, 1/4 acre or larger, created by the project shall be delineated on the wetlands inventory map.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The construction methods, including:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Open channel construction techniques;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Measures to limit disturbance to the soil;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Spoil spreading techniques and information concerning the volume of spoil materials and the location of spoil disposal sites; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Temporary or permanent soil stabilization techniques for channel banks, berms, and soil disposal sites.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Water quality protection measures including plans for:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Establishing vegetative strips along the channels;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Installing BMPs along the channels;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Retaining or reestablishing areas of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous growth along the channel in accordance with Regulation .05E; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Replacing wetlands in accordance with Regulation .05F.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>A signed statement from the local soil conservation district, stating that the project's farmland will meet the soil conservation and water quality plan requirements in accordance with Regulation .06.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The project's design shall comply with Regulation .05, and the construction or reconstruction of the project shall comply with Regulation .06.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Operation and Maintenance Plan Requirements. Before constructing or reconstructing a project, or as required in Regulation .03A(1) for operating and maintaining a project, an association shall comply with the following:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Submit four copies of the operation and maintenance plan to the Secretary for approval.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The operation and maintenance plan shall contain:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A transmittal letter to the Secretary, including:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The name of the association;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The name of the watershed and the drainage acreage involved; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>A map indicating north arrow, watershed boundaries, scale, and any other information necessary to locate the property.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The project's maintenance program, including a general description of the project's soil types and provisions to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Perform routine, recurring maintenance such as mowing, seeding, and clean out;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Prevent project deterioration;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Install or replace project components when necessary; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Repair damage from normal deterioration, drought, flooding, or vandalism.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Maintenance methods, including:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Open channel maintenance techniques;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Measures to limit soil disturbance;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Spoil spreading techniques; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Temporary or permanent soil stabilization techniques for the channel banks, berms, and spoil disposal areas.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Water quality protection measures, including plans for:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Establishing and maintaining vegetative strips along a channel;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Installing BMPs along a channel;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Installing sediment traps;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Disposing of spoil; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Retaining or reestablishing areas of trees, shrubs and herbaceous growth along a channel in accordance with Regulation .05E(4).</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>An implementation schedule for the project's maintenance program.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The project's maintenance shall comply with Regulation .06, and the project's operation and maintenance program shall comply with Regulation .07.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>