<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 26.23.01.02" title_num="26" subtitle_num="23" chapter_num="01" heading="Activities Exempt from Permit Requirement.">
  <text>The following activities are exempt from the letter of authorization, permit, and mitigation requirements of this subtitle:</text>
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Forestry activities.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Agricultural activities in COMAR 26.23.05.01B. All other agricultural activities are exempt from the permit requirements of this subtitle, but are subject to the mitigation requirements of COMAR 26.23.04.01 and COMAR 26.23.04.03—.07.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Approved mitigation projects required under this subtitle.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Any proposed regulated activity conducted by a person who has applied to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by December 31, 1990, for a permit under §404 of the Clean Water Act, provided that the following conditions are satisfied:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ultimately issues a permit or other document under §D(3) of this regulation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The applicant does not alter the scope of the regulated activity originally applied for without authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A person submits the following information to the Department, as may be applicable, and as may be requested by the Department:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A copy of a dated application for a permit under §404 of the Clean Water Act;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A copy of the plans for the project which were submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A letter from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers describing the project and proposed activity and stating one of the following:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The project and proposed activity is authorized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The proposed activity is exempt from §404 of the Clean Water Act permit requirements.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Activities within farmed nontidal wetlands and their buffers, excluding farmed nontidal wetlands with 15 or more consecutive days of inundation during the growing season, and their buffers. The duration of inundation is determined by the Department consistent with federal agency procedures adopted pursuant to the Food Security Act of 1985, 16 U.S.C. §3801 et seq.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>The following activities, if they do not result in cumulative direct or indirect adverse impacts:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Construction of additions, outbuildings, and accessories to existing structures within a landscape management area which impacts less than 1,000 square feet of nontidal wetlands;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Construction placed on existing impervious surfaces or on structures within the buffer or expanded buffer;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Removal of 30 percent of the trees in the buffer, provided that:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The density but not the areal extent of the trees is reduced; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Not more than 30 percent of the understory is removed;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Mowing or other forms of vegetation control on existing rights-of-way;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The control of State-designated noxious weeds;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Landscape management in the nontidal wetland, buffer, or expanded buffer;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Soil investigations;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Percolation tests for sewage disposal fields;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Survey markers or survey monuments;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>Other similar activities with minimal adverse impacts as approved by the Department;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>The maintenance of the following serviceable structures or fills:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Aboveground and underground utilities;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Structures in rights-of-way;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Railroad beds;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Road beds, roadside ditches, culverts, outlet ditches, wash ponds, and temporary sediment control structures;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Bridges;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Dams;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Dikes;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>Levees;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(i)">
        <text>Water and wastewater control structures; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(j)">
        <text>Facilities designed for storm water management;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(12)">
      <text>Within the Critical Area, a cumulative removal of 10 percent of the trees within the buffer or expanded buffer, if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The density but not the areal extent of the trees is reduced; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Not more than 10 percent of the understory is removed.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>