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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 27.01.15.03" title_num="27" subtitle_num="01" chapter_num="15" heading="Minimum Requirements for Enforcement Program.">
  <text>A local jurisdiction shall include all of the following requirements as part of their enforcement program.</text>
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A local jurisdiction may obtain access to and enter a property in order to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Identify or verify a suspected violation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Restrain a development activity; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Issue a notice of violation if a local jurisdiction believes that a violation of the local program has occurred or is occurring.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A local jurisdiction shall make a reasonable effort to contact a property owner before obtaining access to or entering the property.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>If a property owner denies entry, a local jurisdiction may seek an injunction to enter the property to pursue an enforcement action.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>If a local jurisdiction identifies an active violation, it shall issue a stop work order.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Within 30 days of identifying a violation or issuing a stop work order, a local jurisdiction shall send the alleged violator, via certified mail, a notice of violation letter that includes:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A description of the facts supporting the alleged violation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>References to the provisions of Natural Resources Article, Title 8, Subtitle 18, Annotated Code of Maryland, this title, or a local jurisdiction’s Critical Area program which have been alleged to have been violated;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A notice of the right to file an appeal in accordance with §J of this regulation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If eligible to apply for a variance, an explanation that applying for a variance constitutes a waiver of the right to appeal the notice of violation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Actions necessary to bring the site into compliance, which may include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Paying fines in accordance with Regulation .04 of this chapter;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A description of the abatement and restoration measures required under §H of this regulation to resolve the violation and the deadline by which those measures must be implemented;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>If the violation is a clearing violation, a requirement that the alleged violator replant trees where the cutting or clearing occurred in accordance with a plan prepared by the State Forester, a licensed professional forester, a licensed landscape architect, or a Forest Conservation Qualified Professional approved by the Department of Natural Resources;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>A mitigation plan as required under §H of this regulation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Applying for an after-the-fact variance; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>A deadline for when a response action is required from the alleged violator.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>The local jurisdiction shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Track the deadlines required in §E of this regulation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Communicate in writing if an alleged violator fails to meet the initial deadline; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Perform one of the following actions if the alleged violator does not resolve the violation as required by the notice of violation, and fails to respond to the local jurisdiction’s written communication for 30 days:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Request assistance from the Commission;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Refer the matter to the Commission as required under Regulation .05 of this chapter for referral to the Office of the Attorney General;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Refer the matter to the local jurisdiction’s Office of Law to bring an enforcement action, including civil penalties;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Refer the matter to the Office of the Attorney General for criminal prosecution; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>If the violation is for clearing, file suit in circuit court for damages in an amount equal to the estimated cost of replanting trees which shall be paid by the alleged violator to the local jurisdiction.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>If a local jurisdiction fails to comply with the requirements under §F of this regulation, the Commission may notify the local jurisdiction of the deficiency and take any necessary actions, in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §8-1809(n), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>The local jurisdiction may require any of the following actions in order to remedy the violation:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Abatement;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A restoration plan to provide plantings at a mitigation rate in accordance with a local program; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A mitigation plan to provide plantings at the rate required by a local program if the alleged violator pursues an after-the-fact variance.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>If the alleged violator pursues an after-the-fact variance, mitigation requirements are cumulative and consist of plantings for:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The violation in accordance with an approved restoration plan under §H(2) of this regulation; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The variance in accordance with an approved mitigation plan under §H(3) of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>A local jurisdiction shall provide an appeals process consistent with their local program that allows the alleged violator to appeal the notification of violation.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>