Ready to Apply?

Nontidal wetlands and nontidal waterway construction applications can be submitted online through our Environmental Service Center. You can submit your application, pay any associated fees, and track the status of your application.

Apply for a Permit

Effective July 1, 2008, all applicants for wetlands and waterways authorizations issued by the Wetlands and Waterways Program of the Maryland Department of the Environment, and Tidal Wetlands licenses issued by the Board of Public Works, must pay an application fee.

Joint Federal/State Application

Joint Federal/State Application for the Alteration of Any Floodplain, Waterway, Tidal or Nontidal Wetland in Maryland, revised October 2022.

• Application in Portable Document Format (.pdf, fillable)
• Effective July 1, 2025, all applicants for Dam Safety and Small Pond Approvals must include Appendix B with the Joint Permit Application (JPA).
  • Appendix B in Portable Document Format (.pdf, fillable)
  • Appendix B in Microsoft Word format (.docx)
• Whole Watershed Act (New)
• Mean Higher High Water Line (MHHWL) Determination (New)

Related Documents

• Permit Guide 3.19 (.pdf)
• Contiguous Property Owner and Appropriate Local Official Certification of Notification Form (.pdf)
• Contiguous Property Owner and Appropriate Local Official Notification Sample Letter (.pdf)
• Public Notice Billing Approval Form (.pdf)
• Phase I Mitigation Plan, Required Information (.pdf)
• Phase II Mitigation Plan, Required Information (.pdf)
• Wetlands and Waterways Program Checklists, information required for a complete application.
  • Checklist as a PDF
  • Checklist as a Word document (.doc)
  • Stream Restoration Authorization Checklist, 04.04.25 (version to be used for applications submitted on or after July 1, 2025)

Nontidal Wetlands Sample Plans

1. Crossing Plan sample: crossing plan.pdf
2. Detailed Impact Plan sample: detailed impact plan.pdf
3. Stream Cross-Section sample: x-sect and summary.pdf

Other Permits and Forms

• SCD Certification and MDE Concurrence for Proposed Agricultural Activities in Nontidal Wetlands (.pdf)
• Dam Safety Permits web page, Permit Guide 3.25 (PDF)
• Dam Safety Permits Appendix B for inclusion with the JPA, for Dam Safety projects, as applicable:
  • Appendix B in Portable Document Format (.pdf, fillable)
  • Appendix B in Microsoft Word format (.docx)
• General Waterway Construction Permit (GWCP) (.pdf)
• Tier II Basic Checklist (.pdf)
• Tier II pH Form (.pdf)