Bill > SB368

This bill, concerning living shorelines and nonstructural shoreline stabilization measures in Calvert and St. Mary's Counties, modifies existing law to prioritize these environmentally friendly approaches to shoreline protection. A "nonstructural shoreline stabilization measure" is defined as an erosion control method primarily using tidal wetland vegetation to preserve the natural shoreline, minimize erosion, and create aquatic habitat, including marsh construction. The bill specifically exempts Calvert and St. Mary's Counties from a general provision that previously allowed structural shoreline stabilization measures in certain areas, instead requiring that improvements to protect property against erosion in these two counties must consist of a "living shoreline" or nonstructural measures. A "living shoreline" is defined as a project that uses natural materials like wetlands, oyster reefs, and native plants, along with potentially some structural materials, to stabilize shorelines against flooding, currents, and wave energy, while also maintaining or restoring natural slopes and connections between uplands and adjacent waters. The bill also introduces provisions for "high-energy" and "medium-energy" environments, which are defined by factors like wave fetch, nearshore slope, and erosion rates, and allows Soil Conservation Districts in these counties to waive or reduce mitigation requirements if the land-water interface is maintained. Furthermore, only the respective Soil Conservation Districts can impose restrictions on the timing of construction for these measures, and they are required to adopt regulations that include a waiver process for situations where living shorelines or nonstructural measures are not feasible, and ensure designs can withstand at least a 10-year storm event. Finally, the bill mandates that if one county's Soil Conservation District provides design services for a shoreline stabilization project, the other county's district must review and certify its compliance before construction can begin, and it sets an effective date of October 1, 2026.

Education

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0368?ys=2026RS