<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02-2" citation="COMAR 27.01.02.02-2" title_num="27" subtitle_num="01" chapter_num="02" heading="Restricted Activities.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Applicability. The provisions of this regulation may not be construed to limit a local jurisdiction from restricting an activity or facility if the local jurisdiction considers the activity or facility to be detrimental to its water quality, or fish, wildlife, or plant habitat.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A local jurisdiction may not authorize a development activity or facility in the Critical Area if, by its intrinsic nature, the activity or facility has the potential to cause an adverse effect on water quality, or fish, wildlife, or plant habitat, unless:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>For an activity or facility such as nonmaritime heavy industry:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>It is located within an intensely developed area;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>It fully complies with all requirements under Regulation .03 of this chapter; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The owner or operator of the activity or facility demonstrates to all applicable State and local agencies that there will be a net improvement in water quality to the adjacent body of water; or</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>For an activity or facility such as a sanitary landfill or a solid or hazardous waste collection or disposal facility:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>There is no environmentally acceptable alternative outside the Critical Area; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The activity or facility is necessary in order to correct a water quality or wastewater management problem.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>In addition to the requirements of §B(1) of this regulation, a local jurisdiction may not authorize a development activity or facility in the Critical Area such as a transportation facility or a utility transmission facility, unless it is:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A facility that serves a use identified under the local jurisdiction’s Critical Area program;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A linear regional or interstate transportation facility that must cross tidal waters; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A linear regional or interstate utility transmission facility that must cross tidal waters.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>In addition to the requirements of §B(1)(c) of this regulation, a local jurisdiction may not authorize a development activity or facility in the Critical Area such as a permanent sludge handling, storage, or disposal activity or facility, unless:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The activity or facility is associated with a wastewater treatment facility; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In accordance with an approved nutrient management plan under Agriculture Article, Title 8, Subtitle 8, Annotated Code of Maryland, and COMAR 15.20.04 and .06—.08, sludge is applied on agricultural land that is not in the buffer.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>