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The Maryland Department of the Environment is undertaking a comprehensive review of the State's erosion and sediment control standards and has developed a first draft of revisions to the regulations.
MDE developed the initial draft of the “2010 Maryland Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control” for incorporation into regulation by May 2010. The Department is working with stakeholders to improve Maryland’s erosion and sediment control program as part of an effort to protect and restore the State’s streams and rivers and the Chesapeake and Atlantic coastal Bays.
MDE received numerous suggestions to improve the State’s erosion and sediment control requirements during the development of Montgomery County’s municipal separate storm sewer system discharge permit, new stormwater regulations required by the Stormwater Management Act of 2007, and the general discharge permit for stormwater related to construction activity.
Maryland’s sediment control law and regulations specify:
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the general provisions for program implementation;
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provisions for delegation of enforcement authority;
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requirements for erosion and sediment control ordinances;
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exemptions from plan approval requirements;
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requirements for training and certification programs;
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criteria for plan submittal, review, and approval;
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procedures for inspection and enforcement; and
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applicant responsibilities.
Clearly defined minimum standards are essential to make erosion and sediment control work. These criteria established in the standards are incorporated by reference into State regulations and serve as the official guide for erosion and sediment control principles, methods, and practices in the State.
Areas that were evaluated include: environmental site design requirements, the use of coagulants, revised stabilization standards, new standards for best management practices, and new technology. MDE has been working with all stakeholders, including the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts, through a technical review workgroup as part of this development and update process. MDE continues to research and investigate the feasibility of using turbidity, a standard water quality measurement, as a trigger for identifying excessive pollutants such as sediment. If feasible, a turbidity measurement will allow MDE to better focus our efforts to address sediment pollution and improve water quality.
MDE held a public informational meeting for the draft “2010 Maryland Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control” and the updated erosion/sediment control regulations on October 29 at the Department’s offices at Montgomery Park in Baltimore. More than 100 individuals representing local governments, the engineering community, soil conservation districts, State and federal agencies, the University of Maryland Law Clinic, and the environmental community turned out for the meeting. An overview of the draft Standards and the proposed regulation changes was presented, followed by an open discussion.
MDE is preparing a meeting summary and a response to comments. For this initial “work in progress” draft, MDE requested that comments and suggestions be provided by November 13. MDE received more than 40 packages providing comments to assist in the development of the erosion and sediment control regulatory documents. MDE, its consultants, and the Technical Workgroup will evaluate the proposed suggestions and comments for improving the draft Standards and regulation update and prepare a final package to initiate the State’s formal regulatory adoption process by the end of January 2010. MDE’s goal is to complete the regulatory process by May 31, 2010.
Click here for the latest draft “2010 Maryland Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control”.
Click here for the latest draft erosion and sediment control regulations (i.e., COMAR 26.17.01) proposed changes.
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