414/Maryland Manual

WETLANDS & WATERWAYS PROGRAM
Charles Wheeler, Director
974-3877

The Wetlands and Waterways Program, former-
ly the Resource Protection Program, received its
present name in 1990. The Program directs and
coordinates management and protection of water
and related land resources. The Program issues tidal
wetland licenses and permits and nonfuel surface
mining licenses and permits. The Program also
monitors dredge spoil and reclamation of aban-
doned mines. In addition, the Program oversees
joint efforts of State and local governments to
protect nonridal wetlands.

TIDAL WETLANDS DIVISION
Charles K. Cover, Chief 974-3871

To minimize damage ro tidal wetlands, this
Division provides advice and issues permits for all
construction projects that affect areas subject to the
rise and fall of the tides.

NONTIDAL WETLANDS DIVISION
David G. Burke, Chief 974-3841

The Nontidal Wetlands Division oversees the per-
mit process for construction projects that will affect
nontidal wetlands. Such wetlands include swamps,
bogs, marshes, bottomlands, and woodlands.

WATERWAYS PERMITS DIVISION
Stanley Wong, Chief 974-2265

For construction within the 100-year
floodplain, the Waterways Permits Division issues
permits based on technical review and evaluation of
submitted applications and plans. Plan review may
necessitate on-site inspection to verify field condi-
tions; review of hydrologic and hydraulic models;
and advice to applicants on ways to minimize risks
to adjacent property and the environment. The
Division also reviews erosion and sediment control
plans involving floodplain construction.

ENFORCEMENT & SERVICES PROGRAM
William S. Burgess, Director
974-2721

The Enforcement and Services Program was
organized in 1989. Its work is carried out by three
divisions: Enforcement, Technical Services, and In-
formation Services.

ENFORCEMENT DIVISION
Thomas Boone, Chief 974-2641

The Enforcement Division is responsible for in-
spection and enforcement related to legal mandates
governing mines, mining, water, water resources,
wetlands, and riparian rights (Code Natural
Resources Article, Tides 7 through 9). Division

duties involve some 5,000 licenses, permits, and
approvals for surface mining, nontidal waterway
construction, and tidal wedands projects.
The Division conducts periodic and unscheduled
surveillance by ground, air, and water. Administrative
or legal enforcement actions are based on the nature,
extent, and impact of violations.

TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION
Mark Filar, Chief 974-2780

The Technical Services Division provides techni-
cal information to Witer Resources Administration
programs. Data is collected by drilling wells to
check underground characteristics, installing
monitoring devices on dams, conducting surveys,
locating leaks in water distribution systems, and
performing soil borings to determine soil types.

INFORMATION SERVICES DIVISION
Bruce Thomspson, Chief 974-2225

The Information Services Division creates spe-
cialized computer systems and programs to help
manage Maryland's water resources and expedite
the permit process. The Division manages the Map
and Image Processing System (MIPS) which links
information to maps, aerial photographs, and satel-
lite pictures of land areas.

BUREAU OF MINES
Anthony F. Abar, Director

69 Hill St.
Frostburg, MD 21532 689-4136

The Bureau of Mines became part of the Water
Resources Administration in 1987. Formerly, the
Bureau had been under the Maryland Geological
Survey The Bureau has two distinct areas of respon-
sibility: environmental control of active coal mines
and restoration of abandoned coal mines.

Active Mines. The Bureau evaluates mining plans
for proposed deep and strip coal mines. After en-
vironmental controls are established, reclamation
plans for the land must be approved before mining
can begin. Active mines are monitored for com-
pliance with the law and the approved plans.

Abandoned. Mines. Recent legislation makes pos-
sible the restoration of abandoned mines, which for
decades have posed serious environmental
problems. Money collected from a surcharge on
mined coal funds the repair of environmental
damage caused by abandoned mines. In conjunc-
tion with the Active Mining Program, abandoned
mines also are reclaimed (Code Natural Resources
Article, sees. 7-201 through 7-203).