<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 23.02.04.04" title_num="23" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="04" heading="License Requirement.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A person may not conduct the following activities over, on, in, or under State tidal wetlands without a license except as provided for in §E of this regulation:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Dredging;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Filling;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Constructing, reconstructing, repairing, or altering structures, trestles, conduits, cables, pipelines, intake or discharge pipes, or similar devices or apparatuses;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Constructing a shore erosion control project, including a living shoreline; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Otherwise altering State tidal wetlands.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The Board may issue a State tidal wetlands license to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The owner of the riparian rights associated with an upland parcel;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The State, any unit of the State, or the federal government;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A political subdivision;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A public service company; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>An individual who seeks to obtain soil borings, sediment borings, or samples for research purposes.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Agents.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Any person eligible to apply for a license under §B of this regulation may do so through the use of an agent.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Any reference to “applicant” or “licensee” in this chapter includes an agent of the eligible person.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The issuance of a State tidal wetlands license does not relieve the licensee from obtaining other approvals and permits that may be required, including a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit, water quality certification, coastal zone consistency certification, buffer management plan, and other State and local approvals and permits.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Activities Not Requiring a License. A person may conduct the following activities over, on, in, or under State tidal wetlands without a license issued by the Board:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Constructing, repairing, or removing private noncommercial piers when the property owner provides 10-day notice to the Department on a Department-approved form and meets the following criteria:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Only one pier per property;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Pier is not wider than 6 feet;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Piers over vegetated tidal wetlands are at least 3 feet above the wetlands;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Fixed or floating platforms, including Ts, Ls, and step-down platforms that:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Do not exceed 200 square feet, excluding the segment of the main pier section to which the platform is attached;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Are not located over vegetated tidal wetlands or submerged aquatic vegetation; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Are located in at least 2 feet at mean low water;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>No more than two 3-foot wide finger piers may be constructed on the landward side of the end of a private pier;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Pier does not extend within 100 feet of a Department-approved water-ski course;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Pier does not extend beyond the lesser of 100 feet channelward of the mean high water line or a distance of 25 percent of the waterway width;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>Meets property line setback requirements established by the political subdivision;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(i)">
        <text>Pier does not impede navigation or block adjoining properties from ingress and egress;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(j)">
        <text>Pier does not obstruct the tidal flow;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(k)">
        <text>Pier does not include more than four slips, lifts, or hoists; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(l)">
        <text>Pier does not extend within 500 feet of an approved aquaculture lease site.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Maintaining, repairing, or replacing an existing functional structure by a licensed marine contractor or property owner when there is only a de minimis increase in the original length, width, height, or channelward encroachment.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Dredging seafood products by a licensed aquaculture operator, harvesting submerged aquatic vegetation if the root system is not affected, and harvesting of seaweed.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Trapping, hunting, fishing, cultivating or harvesting shellfish when legally permitted.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Aquaculture activities occurring under a Department of Natural Resources lease.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Mosquito control and abatement projects approved by the Department of Agriculture.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Improving wildlife habitat or agricultural drainage ditches if approved by the appropriate State agency.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Marking channels and harbors and establishing navigation aids approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Natural Resources.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Controlling invasive plant species through the application of pesticides when authorized by a toxic materials permit under COMAR 26.08.03.02.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>Installing bass spawning boxes outside of marked navigation channels.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>