<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 26.23.01.04" title_num="26" subtitle_num="23" chapter_num="01" heading="Expanded Buffer.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Nontidal wetlands for which the buffer shall be expanded to 100 feet by regulation are:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Nontidal wetlands of special State concern; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Nontidal wetlands with adjacent areas containing:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Steep slopes; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Highly erodible soils; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Outstanding National Resource Waters (ONRW).</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Nontidal Wetlands of Special State Concern.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The following criteria shall be used by the Department to designate nontidal wetlands of special State concern that:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Provide habitat or ecologically important buffers for the habitat of plant or animal species:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Listed as endangered or threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Listed as endangered or threatened, or species listed as in need of conservation by the Department of Natural Resources; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Considered to be a candidate for listing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or considered to be locally unusual or rare by the Department of Natural Resources; or</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Are unique natural areas or contain ecologically unusual natural communities.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Nontidal wetlands of special State concern are designated in COMAR 26.23.06.01.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Nontidal Wetlands with Steep Slopes and Highly Erodible Soils.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The following criteria may be used by the Department in designating nontidal wetlands with steep slopes or highly erodible soils:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Slopes immediately adjacent to the nontidal wetlands in excess of 15 percent; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Soils adjacent to a nontidal wetland with an erodibility factor greater than 0.35 as determined by the United States Soil Conservation Service.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Specific nontidal wetland sites with steep slopes and highly erodible soils identified by the Department shall be designated by regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>