<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 26.23.05.03" title_num="26" subtitle_num="23" chapter_num="05" heading="Plan Review and Approval for Forestry Activities.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A soil conservation district shall obtain and consider all of the following information to determine which best management practices are necessary and appropriate:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A delineation according to the Federal Manual of the extent of nontidal wetlands affected by forestry activities including acreage of nontidal wetland to be harvested.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The method and schedule for harvesting as prepared by a registered professional forester.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A description of equipment to be used to conduct forestry activities in nontidal wetlands.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The estimated location of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Major skid trails;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Log decks; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Roads.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The proposed location of diversion ditches.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>A description of anticipated site preparation methods. Methods may include one or more of the following, as appropriate:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Bedding;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Stabilization;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Additional clearing or stump removal;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Chemical treatment.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Description of measures to rectify disturbances from temporary forest roads, log decks, skid trails, and other temporary structures as necessary.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>The proposed planting or regeneration method.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Forestry activities and protection areas in nontidal wetlands of special State concern described in Regulation .02E(4) of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A person conducting forestry activities in loblolly pine nontidal wetlands regulated under the seed tree law may submit a reforestation plan, instead of the information requirements of §A of this regulation, to a soil conservation district to expedite a review of a sediment and erosion control plan if the reforestation plan:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Contains information required under §A of this regulation to approve best management practices appropriate to the site; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Has been approved by the Department.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Plan Processing and Approval.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A soil conservation district shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Delineate or review and approve the delineation of nontidal wetlands according to the Federal Manual; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Review and approve the sediment and erosion control plan if it complies with this regulation and Regulation .02 of this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A soil conservation district may use guidance maps prepared by the Department to assist in the identification of nontidal wetlands of special State concern.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Department shall delineate the primary and secondary protection areas for nontidal wetlands of special State concern in consultation with a soil conservation district. Comments from the landowner and the registered professional forester prescribing the harvest method and schedule shall be considered.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A person conducting forestry activities shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Submit copies of an approved sediment and erosion control plan to the Department; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Notify the soil conservation district when site conditions require a change in best management practices.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>A person conducting forestry activities in nontidal wetlands on State lands shall submit sediment and erosion control plans to the Department for approval.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>The Department shall recommend additional voluntary protection standards for forestry activities in nontidal wetlands upon request from a person conducting forestry activities.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Forestry activities in nontidal wetlands shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of COMAR 26.23.01.05.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>A soil conservation district shall cooperate with the Department to resolve a violation of these regulations caused by a forestry activity.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>