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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" citation="COMAR 26.24.03.06" title_num="26" subtitle_num="24" chapter_num="03" heading="Filling.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>In addition to the requirements of COMAR 26.24.02.02, an applicant proposing to fill State or private tidal wetlands for purposes other than shore erosion control as described in COMAR 26.24.04.01 shall submit an 8-1/2-inch by 11-inch site plan drawn to a minimum scale of 1 inch equals 100 feet depicting the following information:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Fill location referenced to existing landmarks;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Location of pilings and associated structures;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Existing topography and bathymetry that is referenced to mean low water;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Property lines;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Land use features;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Type of fill;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Surface water bodies including swales;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Location of all tidal and nontidal wetlands;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Mean high water line;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>Utilities; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>A vicinity map that identifies the surrounding land areas and water bodies in the vicinity of the project.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Based on project size and scope, environmental sensitivity of the project site, and potential adverse impacts to tidal wetlands, the Department may, with notice to the applicant by telephone, letter, or meeting, require information in addition to that in §A of this regulation. The Department recommends that an applicant consult with the Department before developing and submitting the following information:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An alternatives analysis of the proposed project, including the “no action” and other alternatives that avoid and minimize adverse impacts on tidal wetlands, with the analysis including an evaluation of alternatives that have the least impact on public safety, adjoining properties, and the aquatic environment;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An estimation of the public and private benefits from the project;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Additional site plan information, including;</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Location of any submerged aquatic vegetation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Location of shellfish beds;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Limits of critical area buffer as defined in COMAR 27.01.09.01;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Other significant ecological or historical features; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Location of all subsurface borings or other tests associated with any feasibility report prepared for the project;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Predicted impacts of the fill on tidal wetlands, water quality, and aquatic habitat, including leaching or dispersion of pollutants;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Methods to protect surface water and ground water from pollution;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>A statistical comparison between existing beach sediments and the proposed borrow material for beach nourishment and marsh creation projects;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Storm drain plans, details, and supporting documentation, reports, and design calculations;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Methods to control upland runoff; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Methods to ensure that the fill does not adversely affect water quality during and after construction.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Reclamation of Lost Upland. Projects designed to reclaim lost upland by filling shall meet the following requirements:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A person who is the owner of land bounding on tidal water is entitled to reclaim upland lost by erosion or avulsion during the person's ownership of the land to the extent of provable boundaries;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The right to reclaim lost upland relates only to upland lost after January 1, 1972; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The burden of proof that the loss of upland occurred after January 1, 1972 is the responsibility of the owner of the land, and the riparian property owner may demonstrate the loss of upland through the use of historical photographs and land survey data.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Beach Nourishment. Beach nourishment projects shall meet the following requirements:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The fill material grain size shall be equal to or greater in grain size and character to the existing beach material, or determined otherwise to be compatible with existing site conditions and acceptable to the Department;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The fill material shall be relatively free of organic material, floating debris, or other objects;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Silt and clay fills that change the sandy nature of the existing beach materials are not acceptable;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Gravel fill may be acceptable, if particle sizes are equal to or greater than the existing beach materials; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Fill material shall be placed above the mean high water line before final grading to achieve the desired beach profile, unless site conditions prohibit the placement of fill material above the mean high water line and specific measures are designed to prevent material from washing away from the site.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Storm Drain Projects.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Exemptions. The following storm drain projects are exempt from the design guidelines of §E(2) of this regulation:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The extension of storm drains which directly discharge into tidal wetlands through new or replacement shore erosion control structures; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Storm drain projects which manage runoff from an individual lot with one dwelling.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Design Guidelines Requirements.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>New storm drain systems shall be designed to manage the rate of runoff and improve water quality. At a minimum, a 10 percent improvement in water quality shall be achieved.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Storm drain systems shall:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Comply with applicable State or local design standards;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Be designed to follow natural drainage patterns and incorporate swales, filter strips, and sediment traps wherever feasible; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Include measures to prevent scouring from increased water velocities at their outlet.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The licensee or permittee is responsible for the removal of any sediment deposited in the waters of the State as a result of the construction of an approved storm drain system or on-site grading and development activities.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The licensee or permittee shall submit a preconstruction depth survey of any tidal wetlands within the project vicinity for approval by the Department before construction. The survey shall be referenced to mean low water at a fixed benchmark on the adjoining land, or an adjoining structure such as a bulkhead.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>The licensee or permittee shall submit a post-construction depth survey for review and verification by the Administration at any time after construction has begun, if required by the Administration. The survey shall be referenced to the same benchmark and elevation used for determining preconstruction depths.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>