The following definitions are provided for the terms used in
this chapter:
ADMINISTRATION
The Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) Water Management
Administration (WMA).
ADVERSE IMPACT
Any deleterious effect on waters or wetlands, including their
quality, quantity, surface area, species composition, aesthetics,
or usefulness for human or natural uses, which are or may potentially
be harmful or injurious to human health, welfare, safety or property,
biological productivity, diversity, or stability or that unreasonably
interfere with the enjoyment of life or property, including outdoor
recreation.
AGRICULTURAL LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Those methods and procedures used in the cultivation of land
in order to further crop and livestock production and conservation
of related soil and water resources. Logging and timber removal operations
are not to be considered a part of this definition.
APPLICANT
Any person, firm, or government agency that executes the
necessary forms to apply for an approval to carry out construction
of a project.
APPROVAL
An approved erosion and sediment control plan.
APPROVAL AUTHORITY
The entity responsible for the review and approval of erosion
and sediment control plans.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
A structural device or nonstructural practice designed to
temporarily store or treat stormwater runoff in order to mitigate
flooding, reduce pollution, and provide other amenities.
CLEAR
To remove the vegetative ground cover while leaving the root
mat intact.
CONCEPT PLAN
The first of three plans submitted under the comprehensive
review and approval process required by the Act and described in COMAR
26.17.02 and shall include the information necessary to allow an initial
evaluation of the proposed project.
DEPARTMENT
The Maryland Department of the Environment.
DRAINAGE AREA
That area contributing runoff to a single point measured
in a horizontal plane that is enclosed by a ridge line.
ENVIRONMENTAL SITE DESIGN (ESD)
Using small-scale stormwater management practices, nonstructural
techniques, and better site planning to mimic natural hydrologic runoff
characteristics and minimize the impact of land development on water
resources.
EROSION
The process by which the land surface is worn away by the
action of wind, water, ice, gravity or other artificial means.
EXEMPTION
Those land development activities that are not subject to
the erosion and sediment control requirements contained in this chapter.
FINAL EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN
Along with the final stormwater management plan, the last
of three plans submitted under the comprehensive review and approval
process required by the Act and described in COMAR 26.17.02. Final
erosion and sediment control plans shall be prepared and approved
in accordance with the specific requirements of the Maryland Department
of the Environment and this chapter and designed in accordance with
the Standards and Specifications.
GRADE
To disturb the earth by, including but not limited to, excavating,
filling, stockpiling, grubbing, removing root mat or topsoil, or any
combination thereof.
GRADING UNIT
The maximum contiguous area allowed to be graded at a given
time. For the purposes of this chapter, a grading unit is 20 acres
or less.
HIGHLY ERODIBLE SOILS
Those soils with a slope greater than 15% or those soils
with a soil erodability factor, K, greater than 0.35 and with slopes
greater than 5%.
MAXIMUM EXTENT PRACTICABLE (MEP)
Designing stormwater management systems so that all responsible
opportunities for using ESD planning techniques and treatment practices
are exhausted and only where absolutely necessary is a structural
BMP implemented.
OWNER/DEVELOPER
A person undertaking, or for whose benefit, activities covered
by this chapter are carried on. General contractors or subcontractors,
or both, without a proprietary interest in a project are not included
within this definition.
PERSON
Includes the federal government, the state, any 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 of their
affiliates, or any other entity.
RESPONSIBLE PERSONNEL
Any foreman, superintendent, or project engineer who is in
charge of on-site clearing and grading operations or the implementation
and maintenance of an erosion and sediment control plan.
SEDIMENT
Soils or other surficial materials transported or deposited
by the action of wind, water, ice, gravity or artificial means.
SITE
Any tract, lot, or parcel of land, or combination of tracts,
lots or parcels of land that are in one ownership, or are contiguous
and in diverse ownership, where development is to be performed as
part of a unit, subdivision, or project.
SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The second of three plans submitted under the comprehensive
review and approval process required by the Act and described in COMAR
26.17.02. A site development plan shall include the information necessary
to allow a detailed evaluation of a proposed project.
STABILIZATION
The protection of exposed soils from erosion by the application
of seed and mulch, seed and matting, sod, other vegetative measures,
and/or structural means.
STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS
The 2011 Maryland Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion
and Sediment Control or any subsequent revisions.
STORMWATER
Water that originates from a precipitation event.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Natural areas, ESD practices, stormwater management measures,
and any other structure through which stormwater flows, infiltrates,
evaporates, absorbs, or discharges from a site.
VARIANCE
The modification of the minimum erosion and sediment control
requirements for exceptional circumstances such that strict adherence
to the requirements would result in unnecessary hardship and not fulfill
the intent of this chapter.
WATERSHED
The total drainage area contributing runoff to a single point.