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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 26.24.03.03" title_num="26" subtitle_num="24" chapter_num="03" heading="Upland Disposal of Dredged Material.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Exemptions.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Previously Approved Disposal Facility. The requirements of §§B—C of this regulation may be waived for a dredge disposal facility previously approved by the Department if it can be demonstrated that the facility is capable of adequately containing the dredged material. Before authorizing the use of a previously approved upland disposal facility, the Department may require:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A written report stating that the facility is capable of accepting the volume of material to be dredged considering freeboard constraints, bulking, and remaining capacity;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>An evaluation regarding the safety and effectiveness of the facility to impound additional dredge material, and stability of outlet structures and embankments; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A currently approved soil conservation district plan.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Landfills. Use of an existing landfill may be approved by the Department, and the requirements of §§B—C of this regulation may be waived, if the licensee submits:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Documentation that the landfill proposed to be used is being operated in full compliance with local, State, and federal regulations; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Written approval from the landfill owner, or the owner's legal representative, accepting the quantity and type of material to be dredged.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Nonforested Upland Fields. Use of nonforested upland fields may be approved by the Department, and the requirements of §§B—C of this regulation may be waived, if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The elevation of the dredge material is less than 3 feet in height; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The applicant submits:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>An approved sediment and erosion control plan from the soil conservation district; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Written approval from the property owner, or the owner's legal representative, accepting the quantity and type of material to be dredged.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>General Requirements.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In addition to the requirements of Regulation .02 of this chapter and COMAR 26.24.02.02, an applicant proposing to dispose of dredged material on upland is required to submit the following information at the time of application:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Grain size analysis;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A detailed dredge disposal plan that includes the proposed disposal area and:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Property lines;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Existing and proposed topography and bathymetry;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Mean high water line;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Location of all tidal and nontidal wetlands and tributaries within 100 feet of any site disturbance;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Limits of critical area buffers as defined in COMAR 27.01.09, COMAR 27.02.05, and the State-approved critical area program of a local jurisdiction;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>Stabilized access to the site;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vii)">
          <text>The method of dredge material transport to the disposal site, including the alignment of the pipe or the proposed route and staging areas as appropriate;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(viii)">
          <text>Spillway location;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ix)">
          <text>Sediment and erosion control plan approval by the local soil conservation district; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(x)">
          <text>A vicinity map identifying the area to be dredged, and the surrounding land areas and water bodies within 100 feet of any disturbance;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Proof of ownership or right to use the disposal site, including:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>An executed deed conveying title of the site to the licensee;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>An executed easement;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Written consent of the landowner; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>A fully executed option agreement, long-term lease agreement, or contract sale of the site;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Methods to ensure that water discharged from the disposal area does not adversely impact water quality, tidal wetlands, or aquatic habitat;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Methods to protect waters during construction operation and dewatering; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Methods to control or divert runoff and erosion from upland disposal sites.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Based on project size and scope, environmental sensitivity of the project site, potential adverse impacts to the environment, and the welfare and safety of the public, the Department may, with notice to the applicant by telephone, letter, or meeting, request the information in §C(1)—(5) of this regulation, in addition to other requirements of this subtitle. This information is required for all dredging projects proposing to dispose of hydraulically dredged material in a contained placement site. The Department recommends that an applicant consult with the Department before developing and submitting the following information listed in §C(1)—(5) of this regulation:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Composition of dredge material;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An analysis of alternative disposal methods, including beneficial uses and site selection;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A geotechnical evaluation or more detailed report prepared in support of the project which:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Demonstrates feasibility of the site for the intended use; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Provides geotechnical information regarding on-site soils intended for embankment construction, with the unified soil classification system being used to identify all materials intended for embankment construction,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Provides geotechnical recommendations regarding the degree of embankment compaction to be achieved, design provisions to address hydrologic conditions at the site, and any other special provisions to address seepage control including the use of impermeable liners;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Identifies the location and results of all soil borings taken along the centerline of the proposed embankment and the area from which embankment material will be obtained, with a sufficient number of soil borings being taken to evaluate material quality and availability.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Summarizes all geotechnical sampling information shown on the design plans including construction requirements that address unique surface and subsurface conditions of the site; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>References design standards;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The type and settling characteristics of sediments to be dredged based upon the “Standard Method of Particle Size Analysis of Soils, AASHTO Designation T 88-90”, which is incorporated by reference as found in Standard Specifications for Transportation Materials and Methods of Sampling and Testing, Part II Tests, Fifteenth Edition, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, (1990); and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>A detailed plan including:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Notes related to vegetative stabilization, sediment and erosion control, and water quality;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Temporary and permanent vegetative stabilization specifications;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A detailed sequence of construction and operation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>A water quality monitoring schedule;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Discharge return route to tidewater and outfall protection;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Drainage swales;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Utilities;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>Sediment and erosion controls;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(i)">
        <text>Identified ecologic, archaeologic, or historic features;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(j)">
        <text>Limits of disturbance and stockpile areas;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(k)">
        <text>Cross section, height, and settlement of embankments;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(l)">
        <text>Stage-storage curves or table;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(m)">
        <text>Inflow point or points;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(n)">
        <text>Outlet structures and the barrel location in the embankment;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(o)">
        <text>Seepage controls;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(p)">
        <text>Details and dimensions of dewatering structure;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(q)">
        <text>Barrel type, size, and specifications and methods to obtain watertight joints;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(r)">
        <text>Signature and seal by a professional engineer licensed to practice in Maryland;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(s)">
        <text>Location of all subsurface borings;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(t)">
        <text>Date of plan or plan revision; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(u)">
        <text>Soil conservation district approval.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>