Erosion and Sediment Control

Erosion and sedimentation have detrimental effects to our local waterways.  The deposition of sediment on these local waterways is detrimental to plant and animal habitat.  Suspended sedimentation in waterways also blocks sunlight and reduces the amount of photosynthesis that plants can perform.  To combat this, the State of Maryland introduced the first Erosion and Sediment Control Law in 1970.  In 2000, Worcester County was delegated enforcement authority of the Maryland’s Erosion and Sediment program.  This requires Worcester County to administer a local program to require compliance with the Maryland Erosion and Sediment Control Law.  Below are some general typically asked questions:

When must someone obtain an Erosion and Sediment Control Approval?

• When earth disturbance exceeds 5000 square feet or filling occurs over 100 cubic yards.  Except for single family home construction that is situated on a parcel larger than two acres and earth disturbance is less than ½ acre.

• Any development activity that is immediately adjacent to tidal waters, tidal wetlands, non tidal wetlands, or waterways.

What is needed for approval?

• When applying for Erosion and Sediment Control Approval, you must have a site plan completed and sediment controls shown as defined in the 1994 Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control. The 1994 Standards and Specifications can be obtained here.

Where are approvals obtained?

• Approvals for Erosion and Sediment Control are obtain through the Worcester Soil Conservation District, located at 301 Commerce Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863  (410) 632-3464 EXT. 3. For a map (Click Here)

  What else is required?

• Erosion and Sediment Control Plans are not valid in Worcester County unless accompanied by a permit obtained from the Department of Development Review and Permitting located at One West Market Street Room 1201 of the Worcester County Government Center, Snow Hill, MD 21863.  For a map (Click Here)

  How do I schedule a pre-construction meeting or an Inspection?

• To schedule a preconstruction meeting, please call (410) 632-1200 and press 0.  Ask the receptionist to schedule a pre construction meeting.  They will then ask a series of questions and direct you the appropriate Inspector to schedule that meeting.

For additional information, please refer to the Natural Resources Article of the Worcester County Code of Public Local Laws.

For Additional Information on Maryland’s Erosion and Sediment Control Program Please visit Maryland Department of Environment’s website.

For additional information, please contact one of the following:

Contacts:

Chris McCabe:  Natural Resources Administrator (410) 632-1200 ext 1140
Ryan Presock:  SWM / SEC Inspector (410) 632-1200 ext 1145
Kevin Layfield:  SWM / SEC Inspector (410) 632-1200 ext 1146