Ch. 489                                     1993 LAWS OF MARYLAND

BY adding to

Article - Natural Resource's

Section 5-1603(g)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1989 Replacement Volume and 1992 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Natural Resources

5-1603.

(c) (1) All units of local government with planning and zoning authority shall
submit to the Department, by December 31, 1992, their adopted forest conservation
program which meets or is more stringent than the requirements and standards of this
subtitle.

(2)     A local forest conservation program, which has been approved by the
Department, shall include:

(i) A policy document and all applicable new and amended local
ordinances relating to implementation of the regulated activities, exemptions, the review,
approval and appeal processes, incentives, legal instruments for protection, enforcement
program, and penalties; and

(ii) A technical manual which outlines submittal requirements for
forest stand delineations, required information for the approval of a forest conservation
plan, specific forest conservation criteria and protection techniques.

(3)     (I) A local authority shall review and amend, as appropriate, all
current local ordinances, policies and procedures that are inconsistent with the intent and
requirements of this subtitle such as parking, road width, setback, curb and gutter,
grading, and sidewalk requirements.

(II) A LOCAL FOREST CONSERVATION PROGRAM, WHEN
APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT, MAY ALLOW CLUSTERING AND OTHER
INNOVATIVE LAND USE TECHNIQUES THAT PROTECT AND ESTABLISH FORESTS
WHERE OPEN SPACE IS PRESERVED, SENSITIVE AREAS ARE PROTECTED, AND
DEVELOPMENT IS PHYSICALLY CONCENTRATED.

(G) A LOCAL AUTHORITY MAY ESTABLISH REASONABLE AND APPROPRIATE
PROCEDURES FOR THE RECOVERY OF ALL COSTS INCURRED IN THE
DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION, ADMINISTRATION, AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE
LOCAL FOREST CONSERVATION PROGRAM.

5-1604.

(a) After December 31, 1992, or after the date on which a local program has been
adopted under § 5-1603 of this subtitle, whichever occurs first, a person making
application for subdivision or grading or sediment control permits on areas greater than

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