<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01-4" citation="COMAR 27.01.09.01-4" title_num="27" subtitle_num="01" chapter_num="09" heading="Natural Regeneration Requirements.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The provisions of this regulation are:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Applicable to a buffer management plan that includes natural regeneration; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In addition to the requirements under Regulation .01-3 of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A local jurisdiction shall ensure that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The buffer management plan does not include any new managed lawn or turf;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The natural regeneration area is within 300 feet of a mature forest of at least 1 acre that contains a seed bank of native species adequate for natural regeneration; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The buffer management plan includes all of the information identified in §C of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The natural regeneration component of a buffer management plan shall consist of:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A site plan that includes:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Delineation of the proposed area within 300 feet of a mature forest that contains a seed bank of native species adequate to support natural regeneration;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The soil type; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>In accordance with Regulation .01-2P of this chapter, signage that delineates the natural regeneration area at one sign per 200 linear feet along the boundary of the area; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A description in narrative form of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Nearby seed sources of mature tree species;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Presence or absence of invasive species in the proposed natural regeneration area and in the nearby forest, and, if applicable, control practices for those invasive species;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Soil texture, soil moisture regime, sunlight exposure, and soil amendments of the proposed natural regeneration area;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Site preparation methods and timing;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>A monitoring plan; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>A supplemental planting plan to be implemented in accordance with §D of this regulation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Financial assurance for at least 5 years that:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Is sufficient to cover the cost of planting an area equivalent to the area of proposed natural regeneration; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Specifies that release of the financial assurance may not occur until the natural regeneration area, through natural growth and, if necessary, implementation of the supplemental planting plan, contains at least 300 live trees on a per acre basis that are at least 4 feet tall.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Report, Inspection, and Procedures for Release of Financial Assurance.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Five years after the date of approval of a buffer management plan that includes natural regeneration, the party responsible for the development or redevelopment activity and the survival of the planting associated with that activity shall submit to the local jurisdiction a report for the natural regeneration area that contains:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Photographs of the natural regeneration area;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Based on standard sampling practices, an estimate of the number and average size of trees growing within the natural regeneration area on a per acre basis; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A list of all plant species found within the natural regeneration area.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Upon receipt of the report, the local jurisdiction shall inspect the natural regeneration site.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If the natural regeneration area does not contain at least 300 live trees on a per acre basis that are at least 4 feet tall, the local jurisdiction may:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Extend the term of the natural regeneration and financial assurance to allow for up to 5 additional years of growth, if the report and inspection indicate viable progress toward natural regeneration; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Require implementation of the supplemental planting plan provided in the natural regeneration component of the buffer management plan.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If the local jurisdiction extends the term of the natural regeneration and financial assurance to allow for additional growth under §D(3)(a) of this regulation, the local jurisdiction may increase the amount of financial assurance required.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Upon expiration of the time provided under an extension of the term of natural regeneration and financial assurance or under a supplemental planting plan:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The party responsible shall submit to the local jurisdiction an updated report that contains all the information required under §D(1) of this regulation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Upon receipt of the report, the local jurisdiction shall re-inspect the natural regeneration site.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>At the end of 5 years after the date of approval of a buffer management plan that includes natural regeneration, at the end of a term extension provided under §D(3)(a) of this regulation, or at the end of the implementation of a supplemental planting plan required under §D(3)(b) of this regulation, if the natural regeneration area:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Contains at least 300 live trees on a per acre basis that are at least 4 feet tall, the local jurisdiction shall release the financial assurance; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Does not contain at least 300 live trees on a per acre basis that are at least 4 feet tall, the local jurisdiction may not release the financial assurance.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>At any time during the course of performance of a buffer management plan under this regulation, if a local jurisdiction determines that natural regeneration is not likely in the time anticipated in the buffer management plan and that the party responsible is no longer available to complete performance of the buffer management plan, the local jurisdiction may apply the financial assurance to the implementation of the supplemental planting plan.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>