Urban Information for St. Mary's Soil Conservation District

Exemption

    Pursuant to COMAR 26.17.01.05, any land clearing, grading, or other earth disturbances shall require an erosion and sediment control plan approved by the soil conservation district, except that the following activities are exempt from this requirement:

    1)   Agricultural land management practices and construction of agricultural structures,
          including those regulated under COMAR 26.17.03
    2)  Clearing and grading activities that disturb less than 5,000 square feet of land area
         and disturb less than 100 cubic yards of earth.

    To satisfy the requirement for soil conservation district approval as part of St. Mary’s County development process an exemption form is issued if the activity meets the exemption criteria.

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Standard Plans

Standard erosion and sediment control plans may be used for disturbances associated with single family home lot development in which the total disturbed area is greater than 5,000 square feet but less than or equal to one half acre (21,780 square feet).

This standard plan may be used where all of the following conditions are met:

1. The owner, builder, or developer is not the same owner, builder, or developer of any
contiguous lots undergoing development at the same time.

2. The undeveloped lot is completely vegetated.

3. No slopes steeper than (3) horizontal units to (1) vertical unit, (33%), will be disturbed.

4. No more than 1/2 acre will be disturbed.

5. No grading will take place within 100 feet of any perennial stream, wetland, or mean high
water line of any tidal water.

6. Attached plat plan shows the proposed development, with arrows indicating the drainage
pattern of the site and limits of grading.
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Engineered Plans

Engineered erosion and sediment control plans must be designed and prepared according to the St. Mary’s SCD Submittal Guidelines(pdf) and the most current Maryland Department of the Environment Standards and Specifications for erosion and sediment control. New submissions must include two (2) copies of the plans, District Transmittal Form(pdf), Stormwater Management plan and computations, and appropriate review fees.

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Enabling Legislation

    An approved erosion and sediment control plan is required for any land clearing, grading, or other earth disturbances where more than 5,000 square feet of area or 100 cubic yards of material is disturbed.

    Erosion and sediment control plan authority is given under Environmental Article, § 4-101, Annotated Code of Maryland. The established regulations may be found under Title 26, Department of the Environment, Chapter 17 Water Management.

                                        SCDs Role in Erosion & Sediment Control & SWM

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Sediment Control

To Check Plan Status
Call 301-475-8402 ext 3.
Email Jane Sanders OR Haley Carter

MDE Inspections Phone
410-537-3510

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