As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY
Pertains to those normal activities associated with agricultural
or forestry production that are performed during various times of
the year. The operator, owner or is/her designee needs to perform
any normal agricultural or forestry activities in a manner that shows
common courtesy and will have minimal impact on the surrounding property
owners. The daily activities shall be performed in a manner that will
have minimal impact on the environment as well as human health.
AGRICULTURAL LAND
All real property within the boundaries of Charles County
that is:
A.
Lying in the Agricultural or Rural Conservation District; or
B.
Carried on the tax rolls of the State Department of Assessments
and Taxation as agricultural, with the exception of the agricultural
assessed land with planned unit development (PUD) zoning; or
C.
All other land that has been used as an agricultural or forestry
(raising and harvesting trees on site as an agricultural product with
the use of sound forest management practices) operation continuously
for one year (single growing season).
AGRICULTURAL OPERATION
Includes, but is not limited to, all matters set forth in
the definition of "agricultural operation" in § 5-403, Courts
and Judicial Proceedings, Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended from
time to time; the production of all matters, encompassed within the
definition of "farm product" in § 10-601(c), Agriculture,
Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended from time to time; the cultivation
and tillage of the soil; composting, production, harvesting and processing
of agricultural crops; raising poultry; production of eggs; production
of milk and dairy products; production of livestock, including pasturage;
production of bees and their products; production of fish; production
of fruit, vegetables and other horticultural crops; production of
aquatic plants; aquiculture; production of timber and commercial agricultural
procedures performed as incident to or in conjunction with such operations,
including preparation for market, delivery to storage or to market
or to carriers for transportation to market; usage of land in furtherance
of educational and social goals (including, but not limited to, 4-H
clubs and Future Farmers of America), agro-tourism and alternative
agricultural enterprises; and the like.
AIRCRAFT
A flying vehicle that is used to perform a variety of duties
related to agricultural and forestry production that include: seeding,
spraying, dusting and control of forest fires.
FORESTRY OPERATION
Includes, but is not limited to, the propagation, raising,
cultivation and production of all products derived from the practice
of forestry on site, as encompassed within the definition of "forestry,"
as set forth in § 7-101(c), Business Occupations and Professions,
Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended from time to time.
GENERALLY ACCEPTED AGRICULTURAL OR FORESTRY PRACTICES
Those methods used in connection with agricultural or forestry
operations which do not violate applicable federal, state or local
laws or the public health, safety and welfare and which are generally
accepted agricultural or forestry practices in the agriculture or
forestry industry. Generally accepted agricultural or forestry practices
include those practices which are recognized as best management practices
and those methods which are recommended by various governmental agencies,
bureaus and departments, such as the Charles County Cooperative Extension
Service of the University of Maryland (CES), Charles County Soil Conservation
District (SCD), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resource Conservation
Service (NRCS) and the Charles County Forestry Department.
SOIL AMENDMENT
Organic or inorganic materials that are added to the soil
that help to improve soil tilth, soil permeability, soil water-holding
capacity and soil organic matter. Soil amendments may include, but
are not limited to: sewage sludge (biosolids), animal wastes, leaves,
grass cuttings, compost, etc. These materials must be used and applied
in a manner that is consistent with best management practices and
nutrient management planning.
VIBRATION
The noise, sound or linear motion that results when agricultural
or forestry equipment is performing normal seasonal activities. These
include: cultivation, plowing, discing, planting, spraying, irrigating,
harvesting, crop driers, hauling and transporting of agricultural
and forestry products and other activities associated with normal
agricultural activities, including the harvesting of trees.