Twenty Questions

DIRECTIONS: Answering “yes” to these questions will guide you to the applicable fact sheets describing the environmental approvals you may need. The linked fact sheets contain additional questions allowing you to narrow down the necessary approvals you will most likely require. A summary of these additional questions is available in the Approval Resources page.

Air and Radiation Management Administration

1.   Do you store gasoline, operate boilers or generators, use solvents, or otherwise cause emissions of smoke or vapors to the atmosphere?

1.01 Air Quality General Permits to Construct
Am I planning on installing new equipment or modifying, replacing or moving existing equipment that is included in the list below and will be a source of air emissions?
1.02 Air Quality Permit to Construct
Am I planning on installing new equipment or modifying, replacing or moving existing equipment that will be a source of air emissions?
1.03 New Source Review Approvals
Am I planning on installing new equipment or modifying, replacing or moving existing equipment that will be a source of air emissions?
1.04 Prevention of Significant Deterioration Approval
Am I planning on installing new equipment or modifying, replacing or moving existing equipment that will be a source of air emissions?
1.05 Air Quality State Permit to Operate
Did I receive an air quality permit to construct that required me to obtain an Air Quality State Permit to Operate?
1.06 Part 70 (Title V) Operating Permit
Does my facility produce air emissions (actual or potential) of more than 10 tons per year?
1.10 Incinerator Operator Certification and Training Course Approval
Do I operate an incinerator that processes special medical wastes, industrial wastes, sewage sludge, municipal wastes or hazardous wastes?
Do I provide a training course for incinerator operators?
 

2.   Do you operate or work in a Vehicle Emissions Inspection Station or Repair facility?

1.11 Fleet Inspection Station License
1.12 Certified Emissions Repair Facility Certification
Do I operate a facility that performs vehicle engine repairs? If so, am I interested in participating in the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program?
1.13 Master Certified Emissions Technician Certification
Am I a vehicle repair technician who performs engine repairs or works at a Certified Emissions Repair Facility or Fleet Inspection Station? If so, am I interested in participating in the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program?
 

3.   Do you perform remediation work or train people to perform remediation work in buildings that may contain asbestos?

1.07 Asbestos Contractor License
Do I own or manage a company that performs activities involving the disturbance of friable asbestos?
1.08 Asbestos Training Provider Approval
Do I intend to be an asbestos training provider?
1.09 Asbestos Photo ID Card
Do I intend to be an asbestos inspector, management planner, project designer, worker, foreign language worker or supervisor?
 

4.   Do you operate X-Ray machines or use equipment that contains any radioactive materials or service X-Ray machines?

1.14 Radiation Machine Facility Registration
Do I own or operate a radiation machine (X-ray machine)?
1.15 Certification of Machines Emitting Radiation
Do I own a non-dental, non-veterinary, or non-mammography electronic radiationproducing machine?
1.16 Radioactive Materials License
Does my company in Maryland possess, manufacture, use or distribute radioactive materials for research, industrial or medical applications?
1.17 Private Inspector License for Inspecting X-ray Machines
Do I intend to perform State of Maryland certification inspections for low and/or highenergy X-ray machines? OR
Do I intend to perform mammography services?
1.18 Reciprocal Recognition of Out-of-State Radioactive Material Licenses
Will my out-of-state company be able to conduct activities in Maryland that are authorized in my out-of-state radioactive material license under reciprocal recognition?
1.19 Radioactive Material General License Registration
Will my company be required to register its possession of generally licensed radioactive material and must I comply with existing Maryland regulations?
1.20 Registered Service Provider for X-Ray Machines
Do I own or operate a radiation machine service or sales company in Maryland? OR
Do I have a radiation machine service or sales company outside of Maryland, but provide services or sales within the state?

Water Management Administration

5.   Do you perform any activity that generates wastewater?

3.01/3.04 Surface Water Discharge Permit (Industrial)/(Municipal)
Industrial - Will I discharge any wastewater from an industrial facility or landfill to any place other than the sanitary sewer?
Municipal - Will I discharge any wastewater to any place other than the sanitary sewer? OR
Do I own or operate a sewage or water treatment plant?
3.02 General Discharge Permits
Will I discharge any wastewater or stormwater to any place other than the sanitary sewer? OR
Do I own or operate a manufacturing facility, a fleet of vehicles or a recycling facility?
3.03 General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater Associated with Industrial Activity
Will I discharge any storm water to the State’s surface waters AND Do I operate an “ industrial facility, as defined below� AND Is there any potential for any pollutants from this activity to come in contact with storm water?
3.05 Ground Water Discharge Permit (Municipal or Industrial)
Will I discharge any wastewater to the groundwaters of the State?
3.27 Waterworks and Waste Systems Operator Certification
Will I be the operator or superintendent of a water treatment plant, water distribution system, wastewater treatment plant, wastewater collection system, a pretreatment facility or industrial wastewater facility?
 

6.   Do you perform construction projects that may affect tidal or non-tidal wetlands or flood plains?

3.18 Tidal Wetland Licenses and Permits
Does the tide rise and fall at the site where you propose your project? If so, Does your project involve constructing a shore erosion control measure such as a bulkhead, stone revetment, pier or marsh? OR dredging any open water or marsh?
3.19 Non-Tidal Wetlands (Non-tidal Wetlands and Waterways Permits)
Does your project require work to be performed in a non-tidal wetland, the non-tidal wetland buffer?
3.20 Waterway and 100-year Floodplain (Non-tidal Wetlands and Waterways Permits)
Does your project require work to be performed in a non-tidal wetland, the non-tidal wetland buffer?… or the 100-year floodplain?
 

7.   Do you use any chemicals to control the growth of nuisance plants or animals in a water body or perform commercial harvesting of oysters?

3.06 Toxic Materials Permit
Do I want to use a chemical product to control nuisance aquatic plants or animals in State waters (State waters include streams, storm water ponds, wetlands and tidewater)?
4.01 Relaying Oysters for Commercial Harvest: Off Bottom Aquaculture
What are the requirements for Off-Bottom Oyster Aquaculture to Relay Shellstock from Polluted Waters for the Purpose of Natural Cleansing
4.02 Relaying Oysters for Commercial Harvest: Private Oyster Lease Holders
What are the requirements for On-Bottom Private Oyster Lease Holders to Relay Shellstock from Polluted Waters for the Purpose of Natural Cleansing?
 

8.   Do you perform construction that involves earth moving or excavation?

3.07 Water and Sewerage Construction Permit
Do I plan to install, extend or modify a community water supply and/or sewerage system?
3.21 Erosion/Sediment Control and Storm water Management Plan Approvals
Is the project undertaken by a State or Federal agency or local government agencies or private concerns? If so, will 5000 square feet or more or 100 cubic yards or more of earth be disturbed? OR
Will the project impact an existing storm water management facility?
3.23 Permit for Stormwater Associated with Construction Activity (if disturbed area is 1 acre or more)
Am I planning a construction project in Maryland? AND Will my overall project disturb one acre or more of earth?
3.22 Responsible Person Training and Certification Program for Erosion/Sediment Control
Are you a foreman, superintendent or project engineer who is in charge of on-site clearing and grading operations or sediment control? OR
Do you install or oversee the installation of erosion and sediment controls? OR
Are you involved with the design of erosion and sediment control strategies for landdisturbing activities?
 

9.   Are you an owner of a municipal separate storm sewer system serving large, medium and small municipalities?

3.24 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Permit
Are you a government agency, serving a large or medium population, that owns and operates a storm drain system within the urbanized area (localities with populations over 100,000) of Maryland? (individual permit) OR
Are you a government agency that owns and operates a storm drain system serving a facility over 5 acres, but with a population less than 100,000, within the urbanized area of Maryland? (general permit)
 

10.   Do you operate or plan to construct a bridge, dam or other obstruction to a waterway?

3.19 Non-Tidal Wetlands (Non-tidal Wetlands and Waterways Permits)
Does your project require work to be performed in a non-tidal wetland, the non-tidal wetland buffer?
3.20 Waterway and 100-year Floodplain (Non-tidal Wetlands and Waterways Permits)
Does your project require work to be performed in a non-tidal wetland, the non-tidal wetland buffer?… or the 100-year floodplain?
3.25 Dam Safety Permit/Waterway Construction Permit
Will I be building a dam?
 

11.  Do your activities involve drinking water or withdrawal of waters of the State?

3.07 Water and Sewerage Construction Permit
Do I plan to install, extend or modify a community water supply and/or sewerage system?
3.14 Well Construction Permit
Am I planning on having a well constructed on my property to obtain groundwater? OR
Am I planning on having a geothermal heat pump HVAC system installed?
3.15 Water Appropriation and Use Permit
Am I planning to perform an activity that withdraws water from the State’s surface and/or underground waters?
3.16 Drinking Water Sampler Certification
Will I take drinking water samples as part of my job or to satisfy any legal requirements?
3.17 Drinking Water Laboratory Certification
Will my laboratory analyze drinking water samples for public water systems or to satisfy any legal requirements?
3.27 Waterworks and Waste Systems Operators Certification
Will I be the operator or superintendent of a water treatment plant, water distribution system, wastewater treatment plant, wastewater collection system, a pretreatment facility or industrial wastewater facility?
3.28 Well Driller License
Do you intend to make a hole into the ground for the purpose of either transferring water or heat to or from the ground, or obtaining aquifer data? OR
Do you intent to install or repair any equipment that is necessary to draw or purify water from a cased borehole?
 

12.  Are you or do you plan to practice as an environmental sanitarian?

3.26 Environmental Sanitarian License 
Do you routinely perform inspections and investigations related to enforcing Maryland's health and environmental laws and regulations? -- Environmental Sanitarian Licensing was transferred from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) effective July 1, 2012.

 
Land Management Administration

13.  Do you operate a facility where solid waste such as trash, rubble, wood or other forms of refuse are accepted for disposal, incineration, transfer or processing?

2.01 Refuse Disposal Permit
Do I accept, process, transfer or dispose of solid waste?
2.02 Ground Water Discharge Permit for Rubble Landfills
Do I own a closed, unlined rubble landfill that discharges leachate to groundwater?
2.04 Natural Wood Waste Recycling Facility Permit
Am I recycling natural wood waste, like tree stumps, brush or limbs?
3.02 General Discharge Permits
Will I discharge any wastewater or stormwater to any place other than the sanitary sewer? OR
Do I own or operate a manufacturing facility, a fleet of vehicles or a recycling facility?
 

14.  Do you perform any activity that involves the generation, treatment, storage, transport, or disposal of hazardous waste or plan on developing a site that was previously involved in industrial activity?

2.15 Controlled Hazardous Substance Facility Permit
Do I generate or manage hazardous waste? If so, do I store hazardous waste for more than 90 days, treat hazardous waste, dispose hazardous waste on-site, or accept hazardous waste from off-site?
2.16 Hazardous Waste; EPA Identification Number
Do I generate, in a calendar month, 100 kilograms or more of hazardous waste or more than 1 kilogram of acute hazardous waste? OR
Do I have in inventory at any time of more than 100 kilogram of hazardous waste or 1 kilogram or more of acute hazardous waste?
2.17 Controlled Hazardous Substance Hauler, Vehicle and Driver Certification
Do I transport hazardous waste over public highways? If so, Does that transport require the use of a hazardous waste manifest? OR
Are you a Maryland-domiciled driver of a vehicle used to transport hazardous waste over public highways, with the transportation of the waste requiring use of a hazardous waste manifest?
2.22 Voluntary Cleanup Program
Am I cleaning up a property contaminated, or perceived to be contaminated, by hazardous substances? AND Are you interested in acquiring or using such a property? If so, do you want to participate in a program designed to reduce your environmental liability?
 

15.  Do you transport or generate any special medical waste?

2.18 Special Medical Waste Hauler and Vehicle Certification and Identification Number
Do I transport special medical waste over public highways? If so, Does that transport require the use of a shipping paper under U.S. Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Transport regulations? OR
Do I generate 50 pounds or more of special medical waste a month or accumulate more than 50 pounds of special medical waste?
 

16.  Do you have tanks on your property that contain or have contained any petroleum product?

1.01 Air Quality General Permits to Construct
Am I planning on installing new equipment or modifying, replacing or moving existing equipment that is included in the list below and will be a source of air emissions?
1.02 Air Quality Permit to Construct
Am I planning on installing new equipment or modifying, replacing or moving existing equipment that will be a source of air emissions?
1.05 Air Quality State Permit to Operate
Did I receive an air quality permit to construct that required me to obtain an Air Quality State Permit to Operate?
2.06 Oil Operations Permit
Does my company have a total above ground tank capacity of 10,000 gallons or more for the storage of oil intended to be used as a motor fuel, lubricant or fuel source, including ethanol and biodiesel products? OR
Does my company have a total above ground tank capacity of 1,000 gallons or more for the storage of used oil? OR
Does my company transport oil within, into, or out of, the State in trucks, transports, or vacuum trucks having a hauling capacity of more than 500 gallons of oil?
2.07 Oil Operations Permit for Oil-Contaminated Soils
Does my company plan to store, treat, handle or process soils that have been contaminated with oil?
2.08 Oil Transfer License
Does my company import (transfer) oil into Maryland by tank truck, transport, rail car, pipeline or marine vessel/barge? If so, does my company own the oil at the first point of import (transfer) into Maryland?
2.09 Oil Control Program General Wastewater Discharge Permits
Am I doing work at an oil-contaminated site that requires the treatment of groundwater? AND do I plan to discharge potentially oil-contaminated groundwater to the surface or ground waters of the State? OR
Do I have an oil terminal, not receiving oil by pipeline or marine transfer, that discharges storm water or hydrostatic test water to surface or ground waters of the State?
2.10 Surface Water Discharge Permit for Oil Terminals
Does my company have over 5 million gallons of above ground oil storage and receive oil by pipeline or marine transfer? If so, does my company discharge storm water or hydrostatic test water to surface or ground waters of the State?
2.11 Ground Water Discharge Permit for Oil Terminals
Does my company have over 5 million gallons of above ground oil storage and receive oil by pipeline or marine transfer? If so, does my company discharge storm water or hydrostatic test water to surface or ground waters of the State?
2.12 Underground Storage Tank Technician or Remover Certification
Am I interested in being certified as an underground storage tank (UST) remover? OR
Am I interested in being certified as an UST technician who can install, upgrade, repair, replace and remove UST systems? OR
Am I interested in being certified as an underground storage tank inspector?
2.13 Underground Storage Tank Removal/Abandonment 30-day Written Notification
Am I planning on removing, or discontinuing the use of an underground storage tank (UST)? If so, does the UST contain, or was it ever used to store a regulated hazardous substance including all oil products?
2.14 Notification for Underground Storage Tanks
Do I own or manage an underground storage tank (UST) that stores a hazardous substance including all oil products? OR
Has your UST system been taken out of service, been upgraded, or had a change in product storage, owner, facility name or financial responsibility?
 

17.  Do you generate or plan to utilize sewage sludge or septage?

2.03 Sewage Sludge Utilization Permits
Am I utilizing, treating, composting, transporting, storing, distributing, applying on land, incinerating, conducting an innovative or research project or disposing of sewage sludge or a product containing sewage sludge?
 

18.  Do you accumulate, recycle or transport scrap tires?

2.05 Scrap Tire Licenses and Approvals
Am I accumulating, storing, hauling, recycling or processing scrap tires?
 

19.  Do you do anything involving lead paint abatement work?

2.19 Lead Paint Accreditations
Will my activities disturb lead based paint in a residential dwelling? OR
Am I being employed to perform lead abatement work?
2.20 Lead Paint Training Course and Instructor Approvals
Do I conduct a training course involved in the abatement of lead paint? OR
Am I an instructor who trains workers, supervisors, inspectors or risk assessors who provide lead paint abatement services?
2.21 Lead Paint Registry
When do I have to register my rental unit(s) in Maryland?
 

20.   Do you perform any type of mining including exploration for oil and gas?

2.24 Industrial Wastewater/Stormwater General Discharge Permits From Mining Operations
Will I discharge any stormwater from my mine site or support areas such as haul roads and stockpiles?
3.02 General Discharge Permits
Will I discharge any wastewater or stormwater to any place other than the sanitary sewer? OR
Do I own or operate a manufacturing facility, a fleet of vehicles or a recycling facility?
3.08 Coal Mining Permit
Do I plan to mine for coal?
3.09 Surface Coal Mining Blaster Certification
As part of coal mining, do I plan to be responsible for the use of explosives in the project?
3.10 Coal Mining Operator License
Am I responsible for a coal mining operation?
3.11 Non-Coal Mining Permit
Will earthen material (topsoil, sand, gravel, clay, stone, minerals) be removed from my property? AND Will the disturbance, including roads, stockpiles and drainage controls exceed one acre in size?
3.12 Surface Mining License
Am I responsible for a surface mining operation?
3.13 Oil and Gas Exploration and Production
Do I need a permit to search or use reserves of gas or oil?