The Maryland Department of the Environment’s Wetlands and Waterways Program protects Maryland wetlands and waterways from loss and degradation. This protection is achieved through the regulation of the draining, dredging and filling of tidal and nontidal wetlands, the nontidal wetland buffer and waterways, including the nontidal 100-year floodplain through a permitting or authorization process implemented in close coordination with the federal government (specifically, the Army Corps of Engineers). While there are some exemptions from permitting requirements for certain activities, permits or letters of authorization from the State are generally required if a property owner plans to undertake an activity that results in the draining of a wetland or the addition of fill materials to a State regulated wetland or waterway. Examples of activities which require permits from the Wetlands and Waterways Program include building a new pier, adding a platform or boat lift to an existing pier, dredging a boat slip, putting in a bulkhead, filling in a nontidal wetland or buffer for the construction of a structure such as a shed or the expansion or creation of a patio or driveway, and, creating a stream crossing or putting a utility pipeline under a stream. The Wetlands and Waterways Program also provides Maryland-regulated floodplain and FEMA Floodplain information to the public.
State Application, Forms and Related Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Announcements
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the Chesapeake Bay Trust grant program to provide funds for nontidal wetland restoration, creation, and enhancement projects throughout Maryland.
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User’s Guide to Streamlining Protective Environmental Permitting & Securing Resource Access
This guide offers practical step-by-step advice to internet service project developers that may require state agency environmental permits or access to state owned land and communication infrastructure. The guide was developed as a collaboration between the Maryland Departments of the Environment, Natural Resources, Transportation, Planning and Information Technology.
For more information, please see the MD Department of Natural Resources guidance on Streamlining Rural Broadband projects.
Notice: Use of the new JPA Tidal Short Form is being required for submission of tidal applications by March 31, 2018.(JPA_Tidal_ShortForm_Notice_of_Use.pdf)
Notice of Intent to Revise Maryland's Nontidal Wetland Mitigation Regulations
Requesting Feedback on Methodology to Revise Nontidal Wetland ILF Rates
Best Management Practices for Working in Nontidal Wetlands, Wetland Buffers, Waterways, and 100-Year Floodplains
Tidal Wetland Regulations for Living Shorelines
Division Directory
Board of Marine Contractors information has been moved to the Environmental Boards page, near the bottom.
Public Information
Resources
Interested in conducting a wetland restoration or other conservation activity on your land?
Contact Information
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