The purpose of the Charles County Stormwater Management Ordinance
("Ordinance") is to protect, maintain, and enhance the public health,
safety, and general welfare by establishing minimum requirements and
procedures to control the adverse impacts associated with increased
stormwater runoff.
The primary goals of the Charles County Stormwater Management
Program are to maintain, after development, as nearly as possible,
the predevelopment runoff characteristics, and to reduce stream channel
erosion, pollution, siltation and sedimentation, and local flooding
by implementing environmental site design (ESD) to the maximum extent
practicable (MEP) and, for water quality purposes only, when necessary,
using appropriate structural best management practices (BMPs).
The provisions of this chapter are adopted pursuant to the authority
of the Environment Article, Title 4, Subtitle 2, of the Annotated
Code of Maryland, 2009 Replacement Volume and Article 25, § 3,
of the Annotated Code of Maryland and apply to all new development
or redevelopment of land, including, but not limited to, residential,
commercial, industrial, or institutional use. The application of this
chapter and the provisions expressed herein shall be the minimum stormwater
management requirements and shall not be deemed a limitation or repeal
of any other powers granted by state law. The Department of Planning
and Growth Management shall be responsible for the coordination and
enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.
This chapter provides requirements for the following elements
of the Stormwater Management Program in Charles County:
A. A comprehensive stormwater management plan review and approval process
that:
(1) Considers all aspects of project planning, design, and construction
from initial conception through final approval; and
(2) Requires the submission, review, and approval of interim plans at
an increasing level of detail for specific stages of project development;
(3) Provides for coordinated input for all stormwater management and
erosion and sediment control plans from all appropriate agencies;
C. Criteria and procedures for stormwater management plan review, permitting,
inspection and final completion acceptance;
D. Proper implementation of stormwater management in accordance with
the approved plan;
E. Maintenance responsibilities and requirements, including periodic
inspection; and
F. Penalties for noncompliance or violations of this chapter, including
suspension of construction activities when appropriate.
In this chapter, the following documents are incorporated by
reference:
A. The 2000 Maryland Stormwater Design Manual, Volumes I and II (Maryland
Department of the Environment, April 2000), and all subsequent revisions
("Design Manual"). This document serves as the official guide for
stormwater management principles, methods, and practices in the State
of Maryland.
B. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Maryland Conservation
Practice Standard Pond Code 378 (January 2000) and all subsequent
revisions.
C. Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 27.01.02.03D, titled "Intensely
Developed Areas."
D. The County Plan Preparation Package.