MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  8-1102 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 8 - Waters|Subtitle 11 - Beach Erosion Control and Replenishment|Section 8-1102 - Prohibited Activities in Beach Erosion Control District; Applicability of Prohibitions; Regulations

    (a)    (1)    Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, for the purposes of maintaining the Atlantic Coast beaches of the State and the Beach Erosion Control District, the integrity and continuity of the dunal system and assuring adequate maintenance of the beaches, Beach Erosion Control District, and dunal system, to provide for shore erosion and sediment control and storm protection, and to minimize structural interference with the littoral drift of sand and any anchoring vegetation, any land clearing, construction activity, or the construction or placement of permanent structures within the Beach Erosion Control District is prohibited.        (2)    This prohibition does not apply to any project or activity approved by the Department and the appropriate soil conservation district specifically for storm control; beach erosion and sediment control; maintenance projects designed to benefit the Beach Erosion Control District; the widening of the boardwalk in Ocean City up to an additional 40 feet to the east between South Second Street and the south side of Worcester Street and from the south side of Somerset Street to the southerly terminus of the steel and concrete bulkhead at 4th Street, and an additional 80 feet to the east between the south side of Worcester Street and the south side of Somerset Street to include associated appurtenances and construction of one restroom facility in an easterly direction between South Second Street and the southerly terminus of the steel and concrete bulkhead at 4th Street for the purpose of public health, safety, and welfare; and a planned public utility pipeline carrying treated sewage effluent from a unit not exceeding 14 million gallons per day, if, in addition to the approvals required by all other applicable federal and local laws and regulations, it is approved by the Board of Public Works as essential to the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Worcester County, after having received the permission of the Secretaries of the Environment and Natural Resources, and the Director of Planning, including a guarantee that in any contract under this provision a person will not make any significant permanent environmental disruption to the area, and the construction area for the purpose of laying a single pipe with a diameter not exceeding 36 inches is limited to a single 100 foot wide area perpendicular eastward from the west crest of the natural dune line on Assateague Island and in Ocean City, and if the Secretaries of the Environment and Natural Resources and the Director of Planning find that there is no economically and environmentally feasible alternative, and that there is insufficient capacity at the existing Ocean City wastewater treatment facility and discharge pipe.        (3)    (i)    Subject to subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, this prohibition does not apply to the construction and installation of a qualified submerged renewable energy line, as defined in § 7–208 of the Public Utilities Article, if the project does not result in any significant permanent environmental damage to the Beach Erosion Control District, as determined by the Department.            (ii)    An application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct a qualified submerged renewable energy line, as defined in § 7–208 of the Public Utilities Article, is subject to review by the Department and the Department of the Environment, as provided in § 3–306 of this article.            (iii)    The Public Service Commission may not approve an application for a qualified submerged renewable energy line to be constructed or installed within the Assateague National Seashore Park or the Assateague State Park.    (b)    The Secretary of the Environment, the Secretary of Natural Resources, and the Director of Planning, with the approval of the Board of Public Works, shall jointly adopt regulations in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this section.