Md. Code Regs. 20.79.03.04

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 18, September 6, 2024

Section 20.79.03.04 - Socioeconomic Information

A. The purpose of this regulation is to require the applicant to demonstrate that the application addresses the socioeconomic effects of the project.

B. The applicant's environmental review document shall include the following socioeconomic information:

(1) A summary of the socioeconomic effects of the construction and operation of the project, including a description of the unavoidable impact and recommended mitigation;

(2) A description of historic and archeological resources of the site and impacts from the project on those resources, including:

(a) The Maryland Historic Trust's response to a review intake questionnaire submitted by the applicant;

(b) Labeled photographs of the project site including images of all buildings and structures located within the project area and keyed to a site plan, if possible;

(c) Drawings and a written scope of work illustrating any plans to construct, demolish, or rehabilitate buildings or other structures; and

(d) A brief description of the project area, including:

(i) The past and present land uses and conditions; and

(ii) Any known construction dates for the buildings in the project area;

(3) A description of any agricultural resources affected by the project, including:

(a) A map of the project site identifying any areas of prime farmland by metes and bounds;

(b) The area or acreage of prime farmland impacted by the project;

(c) An itemized list of all conservation easements impacted by the project;

(d) The number of acres planned for removal from agricultural production; and

(e) The current agricultural use of the prime farmland, if applicable;

(4) A description of the project's effect on public safety and transportation impacts, including:

(a) Planned measures to address impacts to public services and safety, including but not limited to fire safety and emergency vehicle traffic plans;

(b) A description of transportation information associated with the project, including:

(i) Construction traffic routes;

(ii) Road permits;

(iii) Dust control methods; and

(iv) Road damage avoidance and mitigation;

(c) The proximity of the project to any nearby airport and information from the Federal Aviation Administration and Maryland Aviation Administration on the impacts of the project on air navigation and any proposed mitigation; and

(d) When applicable, an evaluation of the project's potential radiofrequency or thermal impacts to communication systems and military operations, and any proposed mitigation;

(5) A description of any proposals to buffer the project's visual impacts;

(6) A description of vegetation management plans for the project site, including:

(a) Topographic contour grading maps;

(b) A grounds management plan, including weed control plans;

(c) Any inclusion of pollinator habitat; and

(d) For solar generating stations:

(i) An affirmative statement whether the applicant intends to apply for the pollinator-friendly solar designation, pursuant to COMAR 08.13.02; and

(ii) An affirmative statement whether the applicant intends to incorporate agrivoltaics;

(7) A description of the project's effects on the local economy, including:

(a) Person-years of employment, including direct and indirect employment, during the project's construction phase;

(b) Person-years of employment, including estimates of direct and indirect employment, for the 5 years immediately following the completion of the project's construction; and

(c) Impacts to State and local tax revenues;

(8) A description of the project's impacts, if any, on other applicable State, regional, and local plans or programs, including a reference to each appropriate agency or unit with authority to review, evaluate, or comment on behalf of the plan or program; and

(9) For solar photovoltaic generating stations, a preliminary study of reflective glare impacts on adjacent public and private rights of way, non-participating occupied structures, and flight paths associated with airports within 3 miles of the project site.

C. Where applicable, the application shall address environmental justice information in accordance with Regulation .05 of this chapter.

Md. Code Regs. 20.79.03.04

Regulation .04 adopted effective 47:24 Md. R. 1034, eff. 11/30/2020; amended effective 48:18 Md. R. 692, eff. 9/6/2021