Dorchester County, MD Grading, Erosion and Sediment Control

Agricultural land management practices, provided that a person engaging in an agricultural activity clearing 40,000 square feet or greater of forest within a one-year period must file a declaration of intent as provided for in § 100-14 which includes:

A statement that the landowner or landowner's agent will practice agriculture on that portion of the property for at least five years from the date of the declaration; and

A sketch map of the property which shows the area to be cleared.

Clearing or grading activities that disturb less than 5,000 square feet of land area and disturb less than 100 cubic yards of earth.

Clearing or grading activities that is subject exclusively to state approval and enforcement under state law and regulations.

Variances. The Dorchester Soil Conservation District may grant a written variance from the requirements of the Standards and Specifications if strict adherence to the specifications will result in unnecessary hardship and not fulfill the intent of this chapter. The developer shall submit a written request for a variance to the Dorchester Soil Conservation District. The request shall state the specific variances sought and reasons for requesting the variance. The Dorchester Soil Conservation District shall not grant a variance unless and until sufficient specific reasons justifying the variances are provided by the developer.

The provisions of these regulations shall be held to be the minimum requirements to meet the stated purpose and intent of these regulations. Where the provisions of these regulations impose greater restrictions than those of any statute, other regulations or chapter, the provisions of these regulations shall prevail. Where the provisions of any statute, other regulation or chapter impose greater restrictions than those of this chapter, the provisions of such statute, regulations or chapter shall prevail.

§ 100-5 Erosion and sediment control plans.

Review and approval of erosion and sediment control plans.

A person may not clear or grade land without first having his erosion and sediment control plan approved by the Dorchester Soil Conservation District.

The Dorchester Soil Conservation District shall review erosion and sediment control plans to determine compliance with this chapter and the Standards and Specifications prior to approval. In approving the plan, the Dorchester Soil Conservation District may impose such conditions that may be deemed necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter, COMAR 26.17.00, the Standards and Specifications, and the preservation of public health and safety.

The review and approval process shall be in accordance with the comprehensive and integrated plan approval process described in the Standards and Specifications (see note above), Dorchester County Stormwater Chapter,[1] and the Act.

Editor's Note: See Ch. 134, Stormwater Management.

At a minimum, a sketch plan must include the mapping of natural resources and sensitive areas including highly erodible soils and slopes greater than 15% as well as information required under the Dorchester County Stormwater Management Code, Chapter 134. These areas are to remain undisturbed or an explanation must be included with either the sketch or preliminary land development plan describing enhanced protection strategies for these areas during construction.

A preliminary land development plan submittal must include all sketch plan information and indicate how proposed erosion and sediment control practices will be integrated with proposed stormwater management practices. The latter is to be done through a narrative and an overlay plan showing both ESD and erosion and sediment control practices. An initial sequence of construction and proposed project phasing to achieve the grading unit restriction should be submitted at this time.

An applicant shall submit a final erosion and sediment control plan to the Dorchester Soil Conservation District for review and approval. The plan must include all of the information required by the sketch and preliminary land development plans as well as any information in section § 100-5B not already submitted.

(7)

The Dorchester Soil Conservation District shall notify the applicant of approval or the reasons for disapproval or modification within 30 days after submission of the completed erosion and sediment control plan. If a decision is not made within 30 days, the Dorchester Soil Conservation District shall inform the applicant of the status of the review process and the anticipated completion date. The erosion and sediment control plan shall not be considered approved without the inclusion of the signature and date of signature of the Dorchester Soil Conservation District on the plan.

(8)

Approved plans may remain valid for two years from the date of approval unless renewed by the Dorchester Soil Conservation District. Solid waste disposal sites and surface mining site plans will remain valid for five years to coincide with their respective MDE permits.

(9)

Grandfathering of approved plans.

Any plans that receive final approval after July 1, 2015, must be in compliance with the requirements of this chapter and the Standards and Specifications.

A plan that receives final approval by July 1, 2015, may be reapproved under its existing conditions if grading activities have begun on the site by July 1, 2017, with the exception of stabilization requirements.

Stabilization practices on all sites must be in compliance with the requirements of this chapter and the Standards and Specifications by July 1, 2015, regardless of when an approved erosion and sediment control plan was approved.

Contents of the erosion and sediment control plan.

The applicant is responsible for submitting an erosion and sediment control plan which meets the requirements of the Dorchester Soil Conservation District, this chapter, the state sediment control regulations, COMAR 26.17.00 and the 2011 Maryland Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control. The plan shall include sufficient information to evaluate the environmental characteristics of the affected areas, the potential impacts of the proposed grading on water resources and the effectiveness and acceptability of measures proposed to minimize soil erosion and off-site sedimentation. The applicant shall certify on the drawings that all clearing, grading, drainage, construction and development shall be conducted in strict accordance with the plan.

At a minimum, applicants shall submit the following information:

A letter of transmittal indicating the Tax Map, parcel and/or lot numbers and the total area of the site.

A vicinity map indicating North arrow, site location, scale and other information necessary to easily locate the property.

Plans shall be at an appropriate scale indicating at least:

The name, address and telephone number and e-mail address of:

[a]

The owner of the property where the grading is proposed.

[b]

The developer.

[c]

The applicant.

The existing topography and improvements as well as proposed topography and improvements at a scale between one inch equals 10 feet and one inch equals 50 feet with two-foot contours or other approved contour intervals.

The proposed grading and earth disturbance, including:

[a]

The surface area involved.

[b]

The volume of cut and/or spoil material.

[c]

The volume of fill and/or borrow material.

[d]

The limits of grading, including the limitation of mass clearing and grading wherever possible.

[e]

Delineation of the initial, interim and final phases of disturbance.

Drainage area map(s) at a one inch equals 200 feet minimum scale showing existing, interim, and proposed topography, proposed improvements, standard symbols for proposed sediment control features, and pertinent drainage information including provisions to protect downstream areas from erosion for a minimum of 200 feet downstream or to the next conveyance system.

(e)

The location of natural resources, wetlands, floodplains, highly erodible soils, slopes 15% and steeper, and any other sensitive areas.

(f)

A general description of the predominant soil types on the site, as described by the appropriate soil survey information available through the local soil conservation district or the USDA Natural Resources Soil Conservation Service.

(g)

Proposed stormwater management practices.

The velocities and quantities of flow at outfalls and all proposed conveyance systems requiring stabilization.

The site conditions around points of all surface water discharge from the site.

Existing and proposed bridges, storm drains, culverts, outfalls, etc.

(h)

The erosion and sediment control practices to minimize on-site erosion and prevent off-site sedimentation, including:

The provisions to preserve topsoil and limit disturbance.

The details of grading practices including location, type and phasing of grading units, if applicable.

The design details and data for all erosion and sediment control practices.

[4]

The details of temporary and permanent stabilization measures, including:

[a]

Placement of the following statement on the plan: "Following the initial soil disturbance or redisturbance, permanent or temporary stabilization shall be completed within:

[i]

Three calendar days as to the surface of all perimeter dikes, swales, ditches, perimeter slopes, and all slopes steeper than three horizontal to one vertical (3:1); and

[ii]

Seven calendar days as to all other disturbed or graded areas on the project site not under active grading."

[b]

Details for areas requiring accelerated stabilization; and

[c]

Maintenance requirements as defined in the Standards and Specifications;

[5]

The requirements of Subsection B(2)(h)[4][a][i] and [ii] do not apply to those areas which are shown on the plan and are currently being used for material storage or for those areas on which actual construction activities are currently being performed or to the interior areas of a surface mine site where the stabilization material would contaminate the recoverable resource. Maintenance shall be performed as necessary to ensure that the stabilized areas continuously meet the appropriate requirements of the 2011 Maryland Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control.

(i)

Details for areas requiring accelerated stabilization.

(j)

Maintenance requirements as defined in the Standards and Specifications.

(k)

The sequence of construction, describing the relationship between the implementation and maintenance of controls, including permanent and temporary stabilization, and the various stages or phases of earth disturbance and construction. Any changes or revisions to the sequence of construction must be approved in writing by the Dorchester Soil Conservation District prior to proceeding with construction. The sequence of construction shall, as a minimum, include a schedule and time frame for the following activities:

A request for a preconstruction meeting with the appropriate enforcement authority;

Clearing and grubbing for those areas necessary for the installation of perimeter controls.

Construction of perimeter controls.

[4]

Remaining clearing and grubbing within installed perimeter controls.

[5]

Road grading.

[6]

Grading for the remainder of the site.

[7]

Utility installation and connections to existing structures.

[8]

Construction of buildings, roads, and other construction.

[9]

Final grading, landscaping or stabilization.

[10]

Installation of stormwater management measures;

[11]

Removal of controls and stabilization of areas that are disturbed by removal of sediment controls. Approval by the Dorchester County Department of Public Works is required prior to removal of sediment controls.

(l)

A statement placed on the plan indicating that the developer shall request that the Dorchester County Department of Public Works approve work completed in accordance with the approved erosion and sediment control plan, the grading permit and this chapter.

On all sites with disturbed areas in excess of two acres, approval of the inspection agency shall be requested upon completion of the installation of perimeter erosion and sediment controls and approval obtained before proceeding with any other earth disturbance or grading.

Approval shall be requested upon the final stabilization of all sites with disturbed areas in excess of two acres before the removal of controls.

(m)

A certification by the owner or developer that any clearing, grading, construction or development, or all of these, will be done pursuant to this plan and that responsible personnel involved in the construction project will have a certificate of training at a Maryland Department of the Environment approved training program for the control of sediment and erosion before beginning the project. The certificate of training for responsible personnel requirement may be waived by the Dorchester Soil Conservation District on any project involving four or fewer residential units.

(n)

Any additional information or data deemed appropriate by the Dorchester Soil Conservation District.

(o)

Certification by a professional engineer, land surveyor, landscape architect, architect, or forester (for forest harvest operations only) registered in the State that the plans have been designed in accordance with erosion and sediment control laws, regulations, and standards, if required by the Dorchester Soil Conservation District or the Administration.

Modifications to erosion and sediment control plans.

The Dorchester Soil Conservation District may revise approved plans as necessary. The Dorchester County Department of Public Works may also revise or modify approved plans in accordance with § 100-7C.

Modifications may be requested by a permittee, the Dorchester County Department of Public Works and the Dorchester County Planning and Zoning Department.

Standard erosion and sediment control plan.

The Dorchester County Soil Conservation District may adopt a standard erosion and sediment control plan for activities with minor earth disturbances, such as single-family residences, small commercial and other similar building sites, minor maintenance grading, and minor utility construction.

A standard erosion and sediment control plan must meet the requirements of this chapter and the Standards and Specifications.

MDE shall review and approve a standard plan prior to its adoption.

§ 100-6 Permits.

Permit requirements. Before a grading permit is issued by the Dorchester County Department of Public Works or a zoning certificate (building permit) is issued by the Dorchester County Planning and Zoning Department, the Dorchester Soil Conservation District must review and approve or exempt or waive an erosion and sediment control plan for the site.

Permit expiration and renewal. The grading permit shall expire two years from the date of issuance unless extended or renewed by the Dorchester County Department of Public Works. Application for permit renewal should be made at least two months prior to the permit expiration date.

Permit fee. A permit fee schedule may be established by the Dorchester County Council for the administration and management of the erosion and sediment control program. Publicly owned projects, including refuse disposal areas, sanitary landfills and public works projects, shall be exempt from the permit fee.

Permit suspension and revocation. The Dorchester County Department of Public Works may suspend or revoke any grading permits after providing written notification to the permittee based on any of the following reasons:

Any violation(s) of the terms or conditions of the approved erosion and sediment control plan or permit.

Noncompliance with a violation notice(s) or stop-work order(s) issued.

Changes in the site characteristics upon which plan approval and permit issuance was based.

Any violation(s) of this chapter or any rules and regulations adopted under it.

Permit conditions. In issuing the grading permit, the Dorchester County Department of Public Works may impose such conditions thereto as may be deemed necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter or the preservation of the public health and safety.

§ 100-6.1 Permits and approvals within Critical Area.

No approval, permit, variance or special exception for any property located within the Critical Area as regulated by this chapter shall be issued, unless the person seeking the permit, approval, variance or special exception has:

Fully paid all administrative, civil, and criminal penalties imposed by this chapter for violation for the subject property within the Critical Area; and

Prepared a restoration or mitigation plan approved by the County to abate impacts to water quality or natural resources as a result of the violation for the subject property within the Critical Area; and

Performed the abatement measures in the approved plan in accordance with the County's Critical Area Program, for the subject property, under this chapter; and

Satisfaction of all conditions specified under this section shall be a condition precedent to the issuance of any permit, approval, variance, or special exception for the affected property; and

Unless an extension of time is appropriate because of adverse planting conditions, within 90 days of the issuance of a permit, approval, variance, or special exception for the affected property, any additional mitigation required as a condition of approval for the permit, approval, variance, or special exception shall be completed.

§ 100-7 Inspections; complaints.

Inspection frequency and reports.

The permittee shall maintain a copy of the approved erosion and sediment control plan on the site.

On all sites with disturbed areas in excess of two acres, the permittee shall request that the Dorchester County Department of Public Works inspect the work completed, at the stages of construction specified below, to ensure accordance with the approved erosion and sediment control plan, the grading permit and this chapter.

Upon completion of the installation of perimeter erosion and sediment controls, prior to proceeding with any other earth disturbance or grading.

Upon final stabilization before the removal of sediment controls.

Every active site having a designed erosion and sediment control plan should be inspected for compliance with the plan on the average of once every two weeks.

Inspectors shall prepare written reports after every inspection. The inspection report shall describe:

The date and location of the site inspection.

Whether or not the approved plan has been properly implemented and maintained.

Any practice deficiencies or erosion and sediment control plan deficiencies.

If a violation exists, the type of enforcement action taken.

The Dorchester County Department of Public Works shall notify the on-site personnel or the owner/developer, in writing, when violations are observed, describing:

The nature of the violation.

The required corrective action.

The date by which to have the violation corrected.

Right of entry. It shall be a condition of every grading permit that the Dorchester County Department of Public Works has the right to enter property periodically to inspect for compliance with this chapter.

Modifications to erosion and sediment control plans. When inspection of the site indicates that the approved erosion and sediment control plan needs modification, the modification shall be made in compliance with the erosion and sediment control criteria contained in the standards and specifications as follows:

The permittee shall submit requests for major modifications to approved erosion and sediment control plans, such as the addition or deletion of a sediment basin, to the plan approval agency to be processed appropriately. This processing includes modifications due to plan inadequacies for controlling erosion and sediment as revealed through inspection.

The inspector may approve minor modifications to approved erosion and sediment control plans in the field if they are documented on a field inspection report. The plan approval agency shall, in conjunction with the inspection agency, develop a list of allowable field modifications for use by the inspector. The Department must approve any list of minor modifications prior to its implementation.

Complaints. The Dorchester County Department of Public Works shall receive complaints and initiate enforcement procedures when violations are confirmed. Any complaint received shall be acted upon routinely within seven days, and the complainant shall be notified of any action or proposed action routinely within 10 days of the receipt of the complaint.

§ 100-8 Enforcement.

When the Dorchester County Department of Public Works or an inspector determines that a violation of the approved erosion and sediment control plan has occurred, the inspector shall notify the on-site personnel or the permittee, in writing, of the violation, describe the required corrective action and the date by which to have the violation corrected.

If the violation persists after the date specified for corrective action in the notice of violation, the Dorchester County Department of Public Works shall stop work on the site. The Dorchester County Department of Public Works shall determine the extent to which work shall be stopped, which may include all work on the site except that work necessary to correct the violation.

If reasonable efforts to correct the violation are not undertaken by the permittee, the Dorchester County Department of Public Works shall take legal action on the violation.

The Dorchester County Department of Public Works may deny the issuance of any future permits to an applicant for related work on the site when the Dorchester County Department of Public Works determines that the applicant is not in compliance with the provisions of a grading permit or an approved erosion and sediment control plan.

Any step in the enforcement process may be taken at any time, depending upon the severity of the violation.

If a person is working without a permit, the Dorchester County Department of Public Works shall stop work on the site, except activity necessary to provide erosion and sediment control.

§ 100-9 Appeals.

Any person aggrieved by the action of any official charged with the enforcement of this chapter, as the result of the disapproval of a properly filed application for a permit, the issuance of a written notice of violation or an alleged failure to properly enforce this chapter in regard to a specific application, shall have the right to appeal the action to the three-member committee consisting of the Dorchester County Department of Public Works, the Dorchester Soil Conservation District and the Dorchester County Planning and Zoning Department. The appeal shall be filed, in writing, within 30 days of the date of official transmittal of the final decision or determination to the applicant and shall state clearly the grounds on which the appeal is based.

Any person aggrieved by the final action of the three-member committee, consisting of the Dorchester County Department of Public Works, the Dorchester Soil Conservation District and the Dorchester County Planning and Zoning Department, may further appeal the action within 15 days after said action to the Circuit Court for Dorchester County in accordance with Title 7, Chapter 200, "Judicial Review of Administrative Agency Decisions," of the Maryland Rules of Procedure.

§ 100-10 Severability.

If any portion, section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this chapter is, for any reason, held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision, and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this chapter, it being the intent of the County Council of Dorchester County that this chapter shall stand notwithstanding the invalidity of any portion, section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase hereof.

§ 100-11 Violations and penalties.

Any person who violates any provision of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction, is subject to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both, for each violation, with costs imposed in the discretion of the court. Each day upon which the violation occurs constitutes a separate offense.

Any agency whose approval is required under this chapter or any interested person may seek an injunction against any person who violates or threatens to violate any provision of this chapter.

Additional penalties.

In addition to any other sanction under this chapter, a person who fails to install or to maintain erosion and sediment control in accordance with an approved plan shall be liable to the County Council of Dorchester County or the state, in a civil action, for damages in an amount equal to double the cost of installing or maintaining the controls and correcting damages caused by the violations.

Any governing authority that recovers damages in accordance with this subsection shall deposit them in a special fund, to be used solely for:

Correcting, to the extent possible, the failure to implement or maintain erosion and sediment control.

The administration of the sediment control program.

§ 100-12 Effective date.

Sections 100-1 through 100-11 of this chapter 100 are effective July 1, 2015.

§ 100-13 (Reserved) [1]

Editor's Note: Former § 100-13, Critical Area protection, and § 100-13.1, Civil penalties in Critical Area; administrative abatement areas, which immediately followed, were repealed 5-2-2017 by Bill No. 2017-3. See now Ch. 68, Chesapeake Bay Critical Area.

§ 100-14 Grading, erosion and sediment control.

Intent. It is the intent of this section to provide, as authorized by the Natural Resources Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, § 5-1601 et seq., necessary development controls to protect and enhance the existing forest resources of Dorchester County.

Interpretation. The provisions in this section are in addition to other regulations of this chapter. In all cases of conflicting requirements, the provisions which represent the greatest restriction shall govern. Various other requirements are also applicable, including but not limited to Chapter 96, Forest Conservation Standards, of the Dorchester County Code and Chapter 140, Subdivision Regulations, Article XIII, Forest Conservation Protection, of the Dorchester County Code.

Definitions. The following definitions shall be used for the purpose of interpreting and applying this section:

AFFORESTATION

Establishment of a forest on an area from which forest cover has been absent for a long period of time;

Planting of open areas which are not presently in forest cover; or

AGRICULTURAL AND RESOURCE AREAS

Establishment of a forest according to procedures set forth in the Dorchester County Forest Conservation Technical Manual.

Those areas of Dorchester County with the following zoning classifications as identified on the official Dorchester County Zoning Map(s): Conservation District (C); Resource Conservation District (RC); and Resource Conservation Area (RCA).

CRITICAL AREA

All waters of and lands under the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries to the head of tide, all state and private tidal wetlands and all land and water areas within 1,000 feet of the landward boundary of heads of tides and state or private tidal wetlands, as modified pursuant to Natural Resources Article, § 8-1807, Annotated Code of Maryland.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

A signed and notarized statement by a landowner or the landowner's agent certifying that the activity on the landowner's property:

Is for certain activities exempted under this section.

Does not circumvent the requirements of this section.

DORCHESTER COUNTY FOREST CONSERVATION TECHNICAL MANUAL

Does not conflict with the purposes of any other declaration of intent.

DEPARTMENT

The Dorchester County Department of Public Works.

The Forest Conservation Manual - Guidance for the Conservation of Maryland's Forests During Land Use Changes Under the 1991 Forest Conservation Act, dated December 31, 1991. The term shall also apply to any amendment of the manual or any locally authored manual which supersedes the state manual.

FOREST

A biological community dominated by trees and other woody plants covering a land area of 10,000 square feet or greater.

Includes:

Areas that have at least 100 live trees per acre, with at least 50% of those trees having a two-inch or greater diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground and larger; and

Areas that have been cut but not cleared.

FOREST CONSERVATION THRESHOLD

Does not include orchards or Christmas tree plantations.

The percentage of the net tract area at which the reforestation requirement changes from a ratio of 1/4 acre planted for each acre removed above the threshold to a ratio of two acres planted for each acre removed below the threshold.

FOREST STAND DELINEATION

The methodology for evaluating the existing vegetation on a site proposed for grading, as provided in the Dorchester County Forest Conservation Technical Manual, incorporated herein by reference.

MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

The short-term management agreement associated with afforestation or reforestation plans required under Natural Resources Article, § 5-1605, Annotated Code of Maryland, and this section.

NET TRACT AREA

Except in agricultural and resource areas, the total area of a parcel, including both forested and nonforested areas, to the nearest 1/10 acre, reduced by the area to be found within the Critical Area, and the incorporated limits of any municipality, unless the municipality has assigned authority to the county.

In agricultural and resource areas, the part of the total tract for which land use will be changed or will no longer be used for primary agricultural activities, reduced by the area to be found within the Critical Area, and the incorporated limits of any municipality, unless the municipality has assigned authority to the county.

PERSON

The federal government, state, county, municipal corporation or other political subdivision of the state or any of their units, or an individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, executor, administrator, fiduciary or representative of any kind, or any partnership, firm, association, public or private corporation or any other their affiliates, or any other entity.

PRIORITY FUNDING AREA

An area designated as a priority funding area under § 5-7b-02 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.

PUBLIC UTILITY

Any:

Transmission line or electric generating station; or

Water, sewer, electric, gas, telephone or television cable service line.

REFORESTATION

The creation of a biological community dominated by trees and other woody plants containing at least 100 live trees per acre, with at least 50% of those trees having the potential of attaining a two-inch or greater diameter measured at 4.5 feet above the ground within seven years; or

STREAM RESTORATION PROJECT

Establishment of a forest according to procedures set forth in the Dorchester County Forest Conservation Technical Manual.

An activity that:

Is designed to stabilize stream banks or enhance stream function or habitat located within an existing stream, waterway, or floodplain;

Avoids and minimizes impacts to forests and provides for replanting on-site an equivalent number of trees to the number removed by the project;

May be performed under a municipal separate storm sewer system permit, a watershed implementation plan growth offset, or another plan administered by the state or local government to achieve or maintain water quality standards; and

Is not performed to satisfy stormwater management, wetlands mitigation, or any other regulatory requirement associated with proposed development activity.

TREE

A large woody plant that reaches a height of at least 20 feet at maturity, having one or several self-supporting stems or trunks and numerous branches.

Exemptions.

Grading and sediment control activities which are entirely located in the Critical Area and are subject to § 100-13.

Grading and sediment control activities which are entirely located within the limits of a municipality, unless such requirements under Natural Resources Article, § 5-1601 et seq., Annotated Code of Maryland are assigned to and accepted by the County.

Commercial logging and timber harvesting operations, including harvesting resources conducted subject to the forest conservation and management program under Tax-Property Article, § 8-211, Annotated Code of Maryland, that are completed:

Before July 1, 1991; or

After July 1, 1991, on property which:

Has not been the subject of application for a grading permit for development within five years after the logging or harvesting operation; and

Is the subject of a declaration of intent as provided for in Subsection E of this section.

Routine maintenance or emergency repairs of a public utility or county-maintained right-of-way if:

The right-of-way existed before the effective date of this section; or

The right-of-way's initial construction was approved before the effective date of this section.

A residential construction activity conducted on an existing single lot of any size if the activity:

Does not result in the cumulative cutting, clearing or grading of more than 20,000 square feet of forest;

Does not result in the cutting, clearing or grading of a forest that is subject to the requirements of a previous forest conservation plan approved under this section; and

Is the subject of a declaration of intent filed with the Department, as provided for in Subsection E of this section, stating that the lot will not be the subject of a regulated activity within five years of the cutting, clearing or grading of forest.

A final site plan or a grading or sediment control plan approved before the effective date of this section.

(7)

Cutting or clearing activities on county-maintained rights-of-way, provided that the provisions of § 96-8 of Chapter 96, Forest Conservation Standards, are satisfied.

(8)

Grading and sediment control activities for subdivisions subject to the forest conservation protection provisions of Chapter 140, Subdivision Regulations, Article XIII, Forest Conservation Protection, of the Dorchester County Code.

(9)

An activity on a previously developed area covered by impervious surface and located in a priority funding area.

(10)

Maintenance or retrofitting of a stormwater management structure that may include clearing of vegetation or removal and trimming of trees, so long as the maintenance or retrofitting is within the original limits of disturbance for construction of the existing structure, or within any maintenance easement for access to the structure.

(11)

A stream restoration project, as defined in Subsection C of this section, for which the applicant for a grading or sediment control permit has executed a binding maintenance agreement of at least five years with the affected property owner or owners.

(12)

An activity required for the purpose of constructing a dwelling intended for the use of the owner, or a child of the owner, if the activity:

Does not result in the cutting, clearing, or grading of more than 20,000 square feet of forest; and

Is the subject of a declaration of intent, as provided for in Subsection E of this section, stating that the lot will not be the subject of further subdivision or a regulated activity within five years of the cutting, clearing, or grading of forest;

(13)

Noncoal surface mining regulated under environment Article, Title 15, Subtitle 8, Annotated Code of Maryland;

(14)

Agricultural activities not resulting in a change in land use category, including agricultural support buildings and other related structures built using accepted best management practices, except that a person who is engaging in an agricultural activity clearing 40,000 square feet or greater of forest within a one-year period may not receive an agricultural exemption unless the person files a declaration of intent as provided for in Subsection E of this section which includes:

A statement that the landowner or landowner's agent will practice agriculture on that portion of the property for five years from the date of the declaration; and

A sketch map of the property, which shows the area to be cleared;

(15)

The cutting or clearing of public utility rights-of-way licensed under Public Utilities Article, §§ 7-207 and 7-208 or § 7-205, Annotated Code of Maryland, or land for electric generating stations licensed under Public Utilities Article, §§ 7-207 and 7-208 or § 7-205, Annotated Code of Maryland if:

Required certificates of public convenience and necessity have been issued under Natural Resources Article, § 5-1603(f), Annotated Code of Maryland; and

Cutting or clearing of the forest is conducted to minimize the loss of forest.

Declaration of intent.

The declaration of intent is effective for five years.

The existence of a declaration of intent does not preclude another exempted activity on the property subject to a declaration of intent, if the activity:

Does not conflict with the purpose of any existing declaration of intent; and

Complies with the applicable requirements for an exempted activity.

If a regulated activity on the area covered by the declaration of intent occurs within five years of the effective date of the declaration of intent:

There shall be an immediate loss of exemption; or

There may be a noncompliance action taken by the Department, as appropriate, under this section.

An applicant may apply for a regulated activity on that area of the property not covered under the declaration of intent if the requirements of this section are satisfied.

The Department may require a person failing to file a declaration of intent or found in noncompliance with a declaration of intent, at the discrimination of the Department, to:

Meet the retention, afforestation and reforestation requirements established in Chapter 96, Forest Conservation Standards, of this Code;

Pay a noncompliance fee of $0.30 per square foot of forest cut or cleared under the declaration of intent;

Be subject to other enforcement actions appropriate under Natural Resources Article, §§ 5-1601 through 5-1612, Annotated Code of Maryland and this section; or

File a declaration of intent with the Department.

In its determination of appropriate enforcement action, the Department may consider whether failure to file a declaration of intent by a person required to file is a knowing violation of this section.

General requirements.

A person making application for a grading permit after the effective date of this section on an area of land of 40,000 square feet or greater, unless specifically exempted under Subsection D, shall:

Submit to the Department a forest stand delineation and forest conservation plan for the lot or parcel on which the grading activity is located, in accordance with Chapter 96, Forest Conservation Standards, of the Dorchester County Code; and

Use methods as provided in the Dorchester County Forest Conservation Technical Manual to protect and retain forests and trees during construction.

If a local agency or person using state funds makes application for grading and erosion control, the following applies:

The application for a grading permit shall be submitted to the Department, which shall notify the Department of Natural Resources within seven days of receipt of the application.

The Department may not approve an application until it receives notice from the Department of Natural Resources that the standards and requirements of the state have been satisfied.

Forest stand delineation. A forest stand delineation prepared in the manner prescribed by Chapter 96, Forest Conservation Standards, of this Code shall be submitted with any grading and sediment control application not exempt under Subsection D. This delineation will be prepared for an entire lot or parcel, when more than 50% of the parcel is affected by the proposed development. When less than 50% of the parcel is affected, delineation may be on only that portion affected by the development.

Forest conservation plan.

A forest conservation plan prepared in the manner prescribed by Chapter 96, Forest Conservation Standards, of this Code shall be submitted with any grading and sediment and erosion control plan not exempt under Subsection D.

For disturbance of forest less than five acres, the applicant may submit a forest stand delineation and a forest conservation plan together.

The Department's review of a final forest conservation plan shall be concurrent with the review of the final grading and sediment and erosion control plan.

The Department may revoke an approved forest conservation plan if it finds that:

A provision of the plan has been violated;

Approval of the plan was obtained through fraud, misrepresentation, a false or misleading statement or omission of a relevant or material fact; or

Changes in the development or in the condition of the site necessitate preparation of a new or amended plan.

(e)

Before revoking approval of a forest conservation plan, the Department shall notify the violator in writing.

Afforestation and retention.

A person making application for a grading permit after the effective date of this section on an area of land of 40,000 square feet or greater, unless specifically exempted under Subsection D, shall conduct afforestation in accordance with the following:

In agricultural and resources areas, if the net tract area has less than 20% forest cover, the net tract area shall be afforested up to at least 20%.

In areas other than agricultural and resource areas, if the net tract area has less than 15% forest cover, the net tract area shall be afforested up to at least 15%.

Zoning District	Percentage Threshold
AC	50
AC-RCA	50
RC	50
RR-C	50
RR-RCA	50
SR-RCA	50
RR	25
SR	20
V	15
B-1	15
B-2	15
I-1	15
I-2	15

The required afforestation level shall be determined by the amount of forest existing on the net tract area before cutting or clearing begins. Existing forest cut or cleared below the afforested levels stated above shall be reforested or afforested at a two-to-one ratio and added to the amount of afforestation necessary to reach the minimum required afforestation level.

Those trees, shrubs and plants and specific areas identified in Chapter 96, Forest Conservation Standards, of the Dorchester County Code as priority areas for retention and protection shall be left in an undisturbed condition unless the applicant can demonstrate to the Department that reasonable efforts have been made to protect them.

Reforestation.

After reasonable efforts to minimize the cutting or clearing of trees have been exhausted in the grading or sediment or control plan, the forest conservation plan shall provide for:

Reforestation in accordance with Chapter 96, Forest Conservation Standards, of the Dorchester County Code and the forest conservation threshold described below; or

Payment into the forest conservation fund if such a fund is established by Chapter 96, Forest Conservation Standards, of the Dorchester County Code.

The forest conservation threshold shall be as follows:

For all existing forest cover measured to the nearest 1/10 acre cleared on the net tract area above the applicable forest conservation threshold, the area of forest removed shall be reforested at a ratio of 1/4 acre planted for each acre removed.

Each acre of forest retained on the net tract area above the applicable forest conservation threshold shall be credited against the total number of acres required to be reforested under Subsection F(6)(b)[1] of this section. The calculation of the credit shall be according to the criteria provided in the Dorchester County Forest Conservation Technical Manual.

For all existing forest cover measured to the nearest 1/10 acre cleared on the net tract area below the applicable forest conservation threshold, the area of forest removed shall be reforested at the ratio of two acres planted for each acre removed.

(7)

Land partially located within the Critical Area.

When a portion of land proposed for grading, erosion and sediment control is located within the Critical Area, the applicant may conduct some or all of the afforestation or reforestation required by this section on that portion of the parcel located within the Critical Area.

For purposes of calculating the minimum afforestation or reforestation requirements of this section, the applicant may consider the entire acreage of the parcel, including land within the Critical Area, rather than only the area being proposed for grading or sediment and erosion control. In such an instance, the term "net tract area" shall be construed to mean the entire parcel.

The requirements for afforestation or reforestation in this subsection shall be construed to be considered in addition to, rather than in lieu of, any requirements for afforestation or reforestation pursuant to the Dorchester County Critical Area Protection Program and attendant ordinances.

Variances.

A person may request a variance from this section in the same manner as provided for in § 100-4 of this chapter.

In addition, the applicant for a variance will:

Describe the special conditions peculiar to the property which would cause the unwarranted hardship;

Describe how enforcement of these rules will deprive the applicant of rights commonly enjoyed by others in similar areas;

Verify that the granting of the variance will not confer on the applicant a special privilege that would be denied to other applicants;

Verify that the variance request is not based on conditions or circumstances which are the result of actions by the applicant;

(e)

Verify that the request does not arise from a condition relating to land or building use, either permitted or nonconforming, on a neighboring property; and

(f)

Verify that the granting of a variance will not adversely affect water quality.

The Dorchester Soil Conservation District shall make findings that the applicant has met the requirements in this section before it may grant a variance.

The Department shall provide copies of the application for a variance to the Department of Natural Resources within 15 days after receipt from the applicant.

There is established by this section the right and authority of the Department of Natural Resources to initiate or intervene in an administrative, judicial or other original proceedings or appeal in the state concerning an approval of a variance under National Resources Article, § 5-1601 et seq., Annotated Code of Maryland or this section.

Violations and penalties.

The enforcement provisions in this section are in addition to any other provisions in this chapter.

The Department may issue a stop-work order against a person who violates a provision of this section or a regulation, order, approved forest conservation plan or maintenance agreement.

A person found to be in noncompliance under this section, the forest conservation plan or maintenance agreement may be assessed by the Department the penalty of $0.30 per square foot of the area found to be in noncompliance. Moneys collected under this section shall be deposited in the Forest Conservation Fund and may be used by the Department for purposes related to implementing this section.

The Department may seek an injunction requiring the person to cease violation of this section and take corrective action to restore or reforest an area.