Worcester County, MD Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Subtitle NR 1:II applies to all grading in Worcester County except in the incorporated areas (§ NR 1-201(b)). The Worcester County Department of Environmental Programs is the inspection agency, and the Worcester Soil Conservation District reviews and approves the plans (§ NR 1-202).

Section NR 1-203 bars anyone from clearing or grading land without implementing soil erosion and sediment controls. Section NR 1-204 exempts agricultural land management practices, agricultural best management practices and agricultural structures; clearing and grading that disturbs less than five thousand square feet of land area and less than one hundred cubic yards of earth; and activities subject exclusively to state approval and enforcement. The District can grant a written variance under § NR 1-205 where strict adherence to the specifications would cause unnecessary hardship, but only after the developer submits a written request stating the specific variances sought and the reasons.

Plan review follows three steps: concept, site development and final. A concept plan must map natural resources and sensitive areas, including highly erodible soils and slopes greater than fifteen percent, and those areas stay undisturbed or the plan explains enhanced protection during construction. Drainage area maps use a one inch equals two hundred feet minimum scale and show provisions to protect downstream areas from erosion for a minimum of two hundred feet downstream or to the next conveyance system. The applicant certifies on the drawings that all work follows the plan.

A grading or building permit is not issued until the District approves the plan (§ NR 1-207). The permit expires two years from issuance unless extended or renewed, and the renewal application is due at least two months before expiration. When the inspection agency deems it necessary, the developer posts a bond equal to one hundred twenty-five percent of the cost of installing, maintaining and removing the controls shown on the approved plan (§ NR 1-208). The permittee keeps a copy of the approved plan on the site.