Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB613: Department of the Environment - Waivers for Living Shorelines and Nonstructural Shoreline Stabilization Measures - Regulations and Scoring System
Status: Signed into law, April 28, 2026
Authorizing a person to use living shorelines as a certain erosion control measure; applying the Act only to a shoreline stabilization project for which any portion of the project is in an area that is not designated as appropriate for structural stabilization measures by Department mapping; requiring that certain regulations adopted by the Department of the Environment require the Department to take certain action during the evaluation of a certain waiver request; requiring the Department to develop a certain scoring system; etc.
What the bill says
An act concerning Calvert and St. Mary's Counties - Department of the Environment - Waivers for Living Shorelines and Nonstructural Shoreline Stabilization Measures - Regulations and Scoring System FOR the purpose of establishing requirements for the use of authorizing a person to use living shorelines and nonstructural stabilization measures in Calvert County and St. Mary's County; exempting property located in Calvert County and St. Mary's County from certain general requirements regarding the use of nonstructural shoreline stabilization measures as a certain erosion control measure…
From the enrolled text, May 5, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Calvert and St. Mary's Counties - Department of the Environment - Waivers for Living Shorelines and Nonstructural Shoreline Stabilization Measures - Regulations and Scoring System FOR the purpose of establishing requirements for the use of authorizing a person to use living shorelines and nonstructural stabilization measures in Calvert County and St. Mary's County; exempting property located in Calvert County and St. Mary's County from certain general requirements regarding the use of nonstructural shoreline stabilization measures as a certain erosion control measure; requiring that certain regulations adopted by the Department of the Environment require the Department to take certain action during the evaluation of a certain waiver request under certain circumstances; requiring the Department to develop a certain scoring system in consultation with a certain licensed marine contractor; and generally relating to shoreline erosion and stabilization. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Environment Section 16-201 Annotated Code of Maryland (2014 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing Article - Natural Resources Section 8-1808.11 Annotated Code of Maryland (2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - Natural Resources Section 8-1808.11 Annotated Code of Maryland (2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Environment 16-201. Ch. …