<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".10" citation="COMAR 26.17.02.10" title_num="26" subtitle_num="17" chapter_num="02" heading="Construction Inspection and Enforcement.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Before Beginning Construction.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>All county and municipal ordinances shall require:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Advance notification of the beginning of construction by the owner/developer;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Documented regular inspections during construction of stormwater management systems;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Certification by a professional engineer licensed in the State documenting that structural practices have been constructed according to approved plans; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Effective enforcement procedures to ensure compliance with approved stormwater management plans.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The owner/developer shall notify the appropriate approving agency at least 48 hours before beginning any work in conjunction with stormwater management system construction.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Inspections shall be conducted by county or municipal staff or certified by a professional engineer licensed in the State. The periodic inspections shall be documented and reports maintained by the county or municipality. Written reports shall be prepared for every inspection and include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The date and location of the inspection;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Whether construction was in compliance with the approved stormwater management plan;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Any variations from the approved construction specifications; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Any violations that exist.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The owner/developer and on-site personnel shall be notified in writing when violations are observed. Written notification shall describe the nature of the violation and the required corrective action.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Work may not proceed until the work previously completed is approved by the appropriate inspection authority.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Regular inspections shall be made and documented for each ESD planning technique and practice at the stages of construction specified in the Design Manual. At a minimum, all ESD and other nonstructural practices shall be inspected upon completion of final grading, the establishment of permanent stabilization, and before issuance of use and occupancy approval.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>At a minimum, regular inspections shall be made and documented at the following specified stages of construction:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>For ponds:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Upon completion of excavation to sub-foundation and, when required, installation of structural supports or reinforcement for structures, including but not limited to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Core trenches for structural embankments,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Inlet and outlet structures, anti-seep collars or diaphragms, and watertight connectors on pipes, and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Trenches for enclosed storm drainage facilities;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>During placement of structural fill, concrete, and installation of piping and catch basins;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>During backfill of foundations and trenches;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>During embankment construction; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Upon completion of final grading and establishment of permanent stabilization;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Wetlands—at the stages specified for pond construction in §B(1) of this regulation, during and after wetland reservoir area planting, and during the second growing season to verify a vegetation survival rate of at least 50 percent;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>For infiltration trenches:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>During excavation to subgrade;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>During placement and backfill of under drain systems and observation wells;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>During placement of geotextiles and all filter media;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>During construction of appurtenant conveyance systems such as diversion structures, pre-filters and filters, inlets, outlets, orifices, and flow distribution structures; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Upon completion of final grading and establishment of permanent stabilization;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>For infiltration basins—at the stages specified for pond construction in §B(1) of this regulation and during placement and backfill of under drain systems;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>For filtering systems:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>During excavation to subgrade;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>During placement and backfill of under drain systems;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>During placement of geotextiles and all filter media;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>During construction of appurtenant conveyance systems such as flow diversion structures, pre-filters and filters, inlets, outlets, orifices, and flow distribution structures; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Upon completion of final grading and establishment of permanent stabilization; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>For open channel systems:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>During excavation to subgrade;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>During placement and backfill of under drain systems for dry swales;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>During installation or diaphragms, check dams, or weirs; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Upon completion of final grading and establishment of permanent stabilization.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The county or municipality responsible for inspection and enforcement of approved stormwater management plans may, for enforcement purposes, use any one or a combination of the following actions:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A notice of violation shall be issued specifying the need for the violation to be corrected if stormwater management plan noncompliance is identified;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A stop work order shall be issued for the site by the county or municipality if a violation persists;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Bonds or securities may be withheld or the case may be referred for legal action if reasonable efforts to correct the violation have not been undertaken; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>In addition to any other sanctions, a civil action or criminal prosecution may be brought against any person in violation of the Stormwater Management Subtitle or this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Any step in the enforcement process may be taken at any time, depending on the severity of the violation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Once construction is complete, as-built plan certification shall be submitted by either a professional engineer or professional land surveyor licensed in the State to ensure that ESD planning techniques, treatment practices, and structural stormwater management measures and conveyance systems comply with the specifications contained in approved plans. At a minimum, as-built certification shall include a set of drawings comparing the approved stormwater management plan with what was constructed. Other information shall be submitted as required by the approving agency.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Each county or municipality shall submit notice of construction completion to the Administration on a form supplied by the Administration for each stormwater management practice within 45 days of construction completion. If BMPs requiring soil conservation district approval are constructed, notice of construction completion shall also be submitted to the appropriate soil conservation district.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>