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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" citation="COMAR 26.17.01.09" title_num="26" subtitle_num="17" chapter_num="01" heading="Inspection and Enforcement.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The Administration shall be responsible for the inspection and enforcement of all grading that requires an approved erosion and sediment control plan as designated within this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>When the Administration has delegated enforcement authority to a county, a municipality, or the Commission, the county, municipality or Commission shall have the primary responsibility for inspection and enforcement as designated by an approved erosion and sediment control ordinance or erosion and sediment control regulations.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>An approved erosion and sediment control plan for an active site is to be on-site and available to the appropriate enforcement authority and the Administration.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The appropriate enforcement authority shall inspect sites with an approved erosion and sediment control plan for compliance with the approved plan.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>When conducting an inspection, the appropriate enforcement authority shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Ensure that an approved erosion and sediment control plan and permits are on the site as required;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Conduct a complete inspection of the site unless otherwise indicated;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Prepare a written inspection report that includes:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The date and location of this site inspection;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Whether the approved plan has been properly implemented and maintained;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Practice deficiencies or erosion and sediment control plan deficiencies;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>If a violation exists, the type of enforcement action taken; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>If applicable, a description of minor or major modifications as described in this regulation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Notify the on-site personnel and the owner/developer in writing when violations are observed, describing the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Nature of the violation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Required corrective action; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Time period in which to have the violation corrected.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Complaints.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The appropriate enforcement authority shall accept and investigate complaints regarding erosion and sediment control concerns from any interested party and:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Conduct an initial investigation within 3 working days of receipt of the complaint;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Notify the complainant of the initial investigation and findings within 7 days of receipt of the complaint; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Take appropriate action when violations are discovered during the course of the complaint investigation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Administration may investigate complaints received and take appropriate action or refer complaints received to the appropriate enforcement authority.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Administration shall notify the appropriate enforcement authority in a timely manner when investigating a complaint in a delegated jurisdiction.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>A county, a municipality, or the Commission may request enforcement assistance from the Administration on any site.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Plan Modifications.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Modifications to an approved erosion and sediment control plan may be requested by the owner/developer or required by the appropriate approval or enforcement authority.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Modifications must be made in accordance with the erosion and sediment control criteria contained in the “2011 Maryland Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control” and the criteria for major and minor modifications.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Major Modifications.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Major modifications include revisions to sediment control practices involving concentrated flow or impoundments, such as a sediment basin or trap. Major modifications also include significant changes to the sequence of construction or to the phasing of grading units.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Major modifications must be approved by the approval authority prior to implementation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Minor Modifications</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The approval authority may, in conjunction with the appropriate enforcement authority, develop a list of minor modifications.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The Administration shall review and approve all minor modification lists.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The appropriate enforcement authority may allow the implementation of minor modifications as field revisions.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The appropriate enforcement authority shall, in writing, approve field revisions prior to their implementation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>Enforcement.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The appropriate enforcement authority shall, through the authority of an erosion and sediment control ordinance or regulations, this chapter, and the Sediment Control Subtitle, use enforcement action when erosion and sediment control violations occur.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Enforcement actions may include, but are not limited to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Issuance of a corrective action order;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Issuance of a stop work order, the extent of which is determined by the appropriate enforcement authority;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Issuance of a penalty or fine as allowed; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Referral for legal action.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>In addition to any other sanctions, a person in violation of any provision of the Sediment Control Subtitle or this chapter is subject to civil action or criminal prosecution as deemed necessary.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Any step in the enforcement process may be taken at any time, depending upon the severity of the violation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The appropriate enforcement authority shall stop work on a site where grading is occurring without a required erosion and sediment control plan.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>Suspension of Approval.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The approval authority may suspend approval of an erosion and sediment control plan.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>When an erosion and sediment control plan is suspended:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Stabilization is required of all disturbed areas on the project site; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Grading, building, and other permits related to the project will also be suspended.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>