Maryland Waterfronts 101

Maryland’s Wetlands

  • Filter Pollutants — excess nutrients, sediments, and toxics
  • Provide Habitats — fish, birds, and mammals, some which are rare and endangered
  • No Net Loss
  • Wetland Restoration — 60,000 acres begun in 1997

Critical Areas and Maryland’s Regulatory Framework

  • Critical Areas Act
  • Maryland Nontidal Wetlands Protection Act
  • Maryland Tidal Wetlands Act
  • Waterway and 100-Year Floodplain Construction Regulations
  • Federal Clean Water Act
  • State Model Statues and Local Implementation
  • Density Zones and Growth Allocation

Buffer Management and Mitigation

  • 1,000 ft Regulation Authority
  • 100 ft Riparian Buffer
  • Impervious surfaces
  • Tree Removal
  • Disturbing the Buffer Zone

Riparian Zones and Owner Rights

  • Rivers, Streams, and Forrested Buffer Zones
  • Dissipates Flow Energy and Provides Biofiltration
  • Reduces Erosion and Reduces Impacts of Flooding
  • Reduces Pollutants and Sediments Entering the Bay and Replenishes Riperian Soil
  • Restoration Efforts
  • Riparian Owners Rights to Reasonable Access and Use – Boosts Land Value

Tidal Range, Navigable Water, and Piers

  • Mean High Water, Mean Low Water, and Tidal Range
  • Maryland’s View of Ownership and Tidal Range
  • Navigable Water
  • Access Rights and Pier Permitting

Flood Zones

  • Description and Extent
  • Proper Land Use Reduces Impact
  • Development Issues and Restrictions

Threatened and Endangered Species

  • Description and Extent
  • Development Issues and Restrictions
  • Success Stories

Shoreline Management

  • Shoreline Erosion Description and Extent
  • Factors Affecting Shoreline Erosion
  • Soft, Hybrid, and Hard Techniques to Prevent Erosion
  • Information and Financial Assistance

Septic Systems

  • Best Available Technology
  • BAT Requirements When Upgrading Septic Systems
  • Information and Financial Assistance

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