Md. Code Regs. 23.02.04.11

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 23.02.04.11 - Mitigation

A. The Department or the Administrator may recommend:

(1) Mitigation designed to replace the values and functions associated with the wetlands to be impacted as set forth in this regulation and COMAR 26.24.05.01; or

(2) When mitigation is not feasible, monetary compensation in lieu of mitigation.

B. To make the recommendation under §A of this regulation, the Department or the Administrator shall follow the process in COMAR 26.24, including multiplying the acreage of the lost or adversely impacted State tidal wetlands using the following ratios:

Restoration or In-Kind Creation
Open water tidal wetlands	1:1
Emergent tidal wetlands	2:1
Scrub-shrub tidal wetlands	2:1
Forested tidal wetlands	2:1
Tidal wetland habitat for rare, threatened, or endangered species, or species in need of conservation	3:1
Submerged aquatic vegetation and natural oyster bars	3:1
Enhancement or Out-of-Kind Creation
Open water tidal wetlands	2:1
Emergent tidal wetlands	4:1
Scrub-shrub tidal wetlands	4:1
Forested tidal wetlands	4:1
Tidal wetlands habitat for rare, threatened, or endangered species, or species in need of conservation	6:1
Submerged aquatic vegetation and natural oyster bars	6:1

C. If a licensed structure or activity will cause an unavoidable adverse environmental impact or loss of State tidal wetlands, the Board may require:

(1) Mitigation by conditioning the license on restoring, creating in-kind new tidal wetlands, creating out-of-kind new tidal wetlands, or enhancing existing tidal wetlands, or a combination; or

(2) Monetary compensation in lieu of mitigation in an amount the Board determines appropriate.

D. Compensation in lieu of mitigation received under this §C(2) of this regulation is deposited into the Tidal Wetlands Compensation Fund.

Md. Code Regs. 23.02.04.11

Regulation .11A amended effective June 17, 1996 (23:12 Md. R. 873); adopted effective 48:13 Md. R. 510, eff. 6/28/2021