Bill > SB688

This bill requires the Department of the Environment to prioritize stormwater management practices that capture runoff at or near its source to promote infiltration and delay its release into streams, and to minimize disturbance to existing streams, floodplains, and surrounding forests. It also establishes significant restrictions on using stream restoration projects, which involve physically altering a stream's dimensions or profile with heavy equipment, to satisfy requirements for compensatory mitigation (making up for environmental damage), municipal separate storm sewer system permits (permits for managing stormwater from urban areas), or total maximum daily load (TMDL) requirements (limits on pollution entering waterways). Furthermore, any stormwater management plan that includes in-stream construction or mechanical alteration of a stream must first analyze non-stream-disturbing alternatives and demonstrate that these alternatives are infeasible, or that the stream project is necessary to address documented public safety or infrastructure issues that cannot be resolved otherwise. The bill also outlines specific criteria for authorizing stream and floodplain restoration projects, emphasizing the assessment of ecological benefits, community engagement, and the necessity of the project to address documented stream degradation that cannot be resolved by non-stream-disturbing methods, while prioritizing the preservation of intact ecological functions.

Education

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0688?ys=2026RS