In general, all reviews should be processed through Development Review. In this case, however, it can be helpful to work on a stream buffer delineation before submitting a plan for review. This would not be considered a review, so a comment letter would not be produced, and official approval could not be granted until a full plan submittal had been received and reviewed.

This approach allows the delineated buffer to encompass environmental features present onsite and consider site-specific conditions, rather than using a standard distance (usually 100 feet for other agencies) that may not protect sensitive areas or provide an adequate buffer to the stream. This approach often produces areas where the buffer is less than the typical 100 feet and sometimes generates areas that are greater than 100 feet because of steep slopes, which are prone to erosion, and or wetlands.

When a property is subdivided or developed, the County requires a water resource easement, which is intended to create a natural buffer for streams, per County Ordinance, Chapter 154: Water Resource Management. The buffer allows for stormwater runoff to be filtered before entering the stream (runoff can transfer sediments and contaminants), helps moderate stream temperatures, and provides a wildlife corridor.

The only difference between the two is that a Non-Forested easement shall have a dense and vigorous cover of non-lawn vegetation. These areas can be mowed or harvested no more than twice annually with a vegetation height of no less than six inches.

The following activities are allowed without notifying the County:

• Planting trees and other horticultural practices that maintain tree health;
• Removing trees in danger of falling on structures;
• Removing dead, windblown, or damaged trees;
• Hunting;
• Applying timber management techniques with guidance from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources or Maryland Department of Agriculture to preserve forests from extensive pest or disease infestation or the threat of fire; and
• Establishing one walking path no wider than six feet. The path must remain stabilized, and it cannot be arranged in a direct line to the stream.

The following activities require approval for the County:

• Constructing driveways, bridges, and utilities if proven that no feasible alternative exists and minimal disturbance to the easement area occurs during construction; and
• Conducting scientific studies or stream restoration.
• Any activity not specifically prohibited or authorized must be approved by the Carroll County Bureau of Resource Management. If you are unsure if an activity is allowed, please contact the Bureau of Resource Management at (410)386-2506.
  

The following activities are not allowed:

• Disturbing the soil by filling, grading, plowing, cultivating, or other practices;
• Storing or dumping any material such as yard waste, appliances, automobiles, garbage, chemicals, pesticides, and construction debris;
• Storing, maintaining, or operating motorized vehicles except on designated roads/driveways;
• Housing, grazing, or otherwise maintaining domestic animals; and
• Cutting or clearing of trees except for maintenance of dead or damaged trees.

You will need to hire an engineer to design the crossing and coordinate with the County. Depending on whether the crossing is part of a development plan, how much soil disturbance will occur, if trees will be cleared, and or whether the crossing is within an existing easement, a variety of County requirements may apply. You will also have to contact the Maryland Department of the Environment Wetlands and Waterways Division to obtain any required State permits. You can use the following link to get started: https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/water/WetlandsandWaterways/Pages/index.aspx

According to the Maryland Department of the Environment, Tier II, high-quality, waters are those that have an existing water quality that is significantly better than the minimum requirements, as specified in water quality standards. Site-specific information can be found on MDE’s website using the following link: https://mdewin64.mde.state.md.us/WSA/TierIIWQ/index.html.

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) regulates Tier II waters so there are no County requirements other than identifying whether a development is within a Tier II watershed (a.k.a. a catchment) and adding a note to development plans.

The County recommends contacting MDE if the property is in a Tier II catchment. A direct contact is Angel.Valdez@maryland.gov with Maryland’s Antidegradation Program; she can review the proposed development and provide feedback to the developer/engineer.

Karst terrain, or karst topography, refers to a specific type of landscape that is characterized by surface and subsurface landforms that are created by the slow dissolution of soluble bedrock. Karst features can include sinkholes, sinking streams, caves and dissolutionally enlarged joints or conduits, a highly irregular rockhead, springs, and numerous other features. Karst is associated with carbonate rocks, like limestone and marble, but also evaporates, including gypsum and halite.

Yes, but they are related. Karst collectively refers to the landforms (landscape) associated with the underlying soluble bedrock. The areas in the County referred to as Carbonate Rock are specifically underlain by bedrock that is chemically composed of calcium carbonate or calcium-magnesium carbonate. In Carroll County, carbonate rock refers to the Wakefield Marble, Silver Run Limestone, Sam’s Creek Marble (an updated interpretation of Carroll’s geology), and a few other unnamed calcareous units. Areas with these types of bedrock give rise to the karst terrain found in Carroll County. The other soluble evaporates associated with karst, such as gypsum and halite, are not found in Carroll County.