Ch. 559

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(I) LIMITING REQUIRED FOREST SAMPLING TO AREAS NOT
PROPOSED FOR PROTECTION UNDER LONG-TERM PROTECTIVE AGREEMENTS AS
LONG AS ALL PRIORITY AREAS ON THE SITE ARE IDENTIFIED AND PROTECTED; AND

(II) MINIMIZING OVERLAPPING MAPPING AND SAMPLING
REQUIREMENTS FOR SITES WHERE NO DISTURBANCE OF PRIORITY FOREST
RETENTION AREAS IS CONTEMPLATED.

(c) Within 30 days from receipt of the forest stand delineation, the Department or
local authority shall notify the applicant whether the forest stand delineation is complete
and correct. If the Department or local authority fails to notify the applicant about the
delineation within 30 days, the delineation shall be treated as complete and correct. The
Department or local authority may require further information or provide for an
extension of this deadline for an additional 15 days for extenuating circumstances.

5-1606.

(a) (5) LINEAR PROJECTS THAT INVOLVE NO CHANGE IN LAND USE MAY
NOT BE SUBJECT TO AFFORESTATION REQUIREMENTS.

5-1607.

[(a) The preferred sequence for afforestation and reforestation as determined by
the State or local authority, after techniques for retaining existing forest on the site have
been exhausted, is as follows:

(1) Selective clearing and supplemental planting on-site;

(2) On-site afforestation or reforestation, if economically feasible, using
transplanted or nursery stock that is greater than 1.5 inches diameter measured at 4.5 feet
above the ground;

(3) On-site afforestation or reforestation using whip and seedling stock;

(4) Landscaping of areas under an approved landscaping plan that
establishes a forest at least 35 feet wide and covering 2,500 square feet of area;

(5) Off-site afforestation or reforestation using transplanted or nursery
stock that is greater than 1.5 inches diameter measured at 4.5 feet above the ground;

(6) Off-site afforestation or reforestation using whip and seedling stock;

(7) Natural regeneration on-site; and

(8) Natural regeneration off-site.

(b) (1) A sequence other than the one described in subsection (a) of this section
may be used for a specific project if necessary to achieve the objectives of a local
jurisdiction's land use plans or policies or to take advantage of opportunities to
consolidate forest conservation efforts.

(2) In a municipal corporation with a tree management plan, in an existing
population center designated in a county master plan that has been adopted to conform
with the Economic Growth, Resource Protection, and Planning Act of 1992, as enacted by

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