Erosion & Sediment Control

E&S CONTROL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

 "GREEN CARD" CLASSES

Click here for more information

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In 1983, the Maryland Legislature designated the local Soil Conservation Districts as the reviewing and approving agency for all Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plans.

WHEN DO I NEED AN EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROL PLAN ?

A Grading Permit issued by Cecil County Government must go through a series of Departments/Agencies for review. The permit process relates only to Erosion and Sediment Control, Small Pond Approval and/or Storm Water Management are explained as follows:

CECIL SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT PLAN REVIEW POLICIES:

OUR OFFICE HAS A STANDARD FORMAT THAT ALL SUBMITTED PLANS SHOULD FOLLOW.

IF YOU HAVE NOT WORKED WITH OUR OFFICE BEFORE, OR SINCE APRIL OF 2004, WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND COME INTO THE OFFICE FOR A PRE-DESIGN MEETING WITH ONE OF OUR REVIEWERS TO DISCUSS FORMAT AND PLAN REQUIREMENTS.

Under our standard review process timeframe, you will receive a comment on your plan review within 30 Business days. An expedited review process is available. A valid reason must be provided for the expedited review and a request submitted to the Conservation District Manager. This process will insure review of the plan within ten (10) business days.

The applicant must respond within the next ten (10) business days to keep the expedited review status. The expedited review fee is double the regular review fee. The expedited review fee will apply to the project regardless if the applicant submits a response within 10 business days if the District has fulfilled its 10 day review. The Conservation District may suspend this process at anytime based on current work loads.

Fee Schedule (a 45k pdf download) 

Note: If you need the free reader, you can download it from Adobe Acrobat

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BUILDING (GRADING) PERMIT PROCESSING THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF SOIL CONSERVATION:

The Department of Soil Conservation is found within the Cecil Soil Conservation District (CSCD), at 105 Chesapeake Blvd., Suite B-3, Elkton MD 21921. Phone 410-398-4411, ext. 3.

Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Requirements:

The applicant must submit an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan to the CSCD for review and approval in all instances where a grading permit is required.

Additionally, clearing or grading land in excess of 5000 square feet or earth movement in excess of 100 cubic yards is not permissible without first obtaining an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan from the CSCD.

A standard Erosion and Sediment Control Plan for Minor Earth Disturbances may be used for projects with disturbances less than 30,000 square feet and 500 cubic yards of earth movement if certain limitations are met. Contact the CSCD to determine applicability of the standard plan.

An Engineered Erosion and Sediment Control Plan will be required in all instances when a Standard Erosion and Sediment Control Plan for Minor Earth Disturbances is not appropriate. Engineered plans must be signed and sealed by either professional engineers, landscape architects or professional land surveyors licensed in the state of Maryland.

Inspections

The Applicant shall notify the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) at 410-901-4020 at least 48 hours prior to starting site work.

Stormwater Management - Small Pond Requirements

The applicant must submit all Stormwater Management Plans (for Small Pond approval only) to the CSCD for review and approval in all instances where the engineered plan includes a Basin. The pond information will be reviewed to make sure that the plan meets the Maryland 378 Pond Standards when applicable. The CSCD will notify the Department of Public Works after Small Pond Approval is granted to circulate the SWM plans for the required signatures by both departments.

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BUILDING/GRADING PERMIT PROCESSING THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS:

Public water and sewer connections - fees are applied to permit application and payable at permit issuance. For specific sewer districts or sub districts, any applicable benefit assessments will also be added to each permit application. Applicants are encouraged to check with DPW administrative staff to determine what fees are applicable.

A grading permit, issued by the Cecil County Department of Public Works (DPW) shall be required prior to the start of any development of activity where such proposed development or activity may, in the judgment of DPW:

• Introduce sediment into any watercourse of the County or State.
   
  

• Move more than 100 cubic yards of material, or disturb more than 5000 square feet of earth. This may include basement and pool excavations, pond construction and fill operations as well as site grading, residential, commercial, industrial development and construction.
   
  

• Create undue erosion and sediment damage to lands adjacent to or in the vicinity of the subject site or the stream itself.
   
  

• Involve grading or disturbance in the critical area.
   
  

A BUILDING/GRADING PERMIT WILL BE ISSUED:

1. Upon complying with all requirements of the Cecil County Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance. If no site exemption or variance is applicable, a standard plan or an engineered erosion and sedimentation control plan is required and must be approved by the Cecil Soil Conservation District before the Department may approve a grading or building permit application.

For minor earth disturbances (up to 30,000 square feet of disturbed area and no more than 500 cubic yards of cut or fill) a standard plan may be approved by the Cecil Soil Conservation District for single lot residential construction. (Applicant may contact the Cecil Soil Conservation District at 410-398-4411, ext. 3 for information on the application of standard plans or engineered erosion and sediment control plans.)

For all other disturbances exceeding 5,000 square feet or where required by the Department of Public Works or the Cecil Soil Conservation District, the owner, builder or developer must obtain an engineered erosion and sediment control plan.

AND,

2. Upon complying with all requirements of the Cecil County Storm water Management Ordinance. If no site exemption, waiver, variance or Standard Water Quality Plan (For Individual single family detached residential lots created prior to July 31, 2001 a Standard Water Quality Plan may be applicable. Limitations exist which may prevent this plan from being applicable within a developing or multiple lot subdivision).

WILL YOUR PERMIT BE REVIEWED FOR STORM WATER MANAGEMENT?

All permit applications require a storm water review. With the December 31, 2004 codified expiry, all residential lots of record and lots which were approved under the prior (pre-July 31, 2001) storm water management ordinance criteria must address the current Cecil County Storm water Management Ordinance. Agricultural projects detailed in a Soil and Water Quality Conservation Plan and approved by the Cecil Soil Conservation District MAY be exempt. Any construction exceeding the 5,000 square feet in disturbance will require a storm water management submittal and/or plan. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide proof of any existing plan to the approving agencies.

CONTACT PERSONS RELATED TO THE BUILDING/GRADING PERMIT REVIEW

1. Erosion and Sediment Control: Soil Conservation
   Plans Review:
   Chris Brown 410-398-4411 ext 3

2. Single Lot Grading & Driveway Pipe Inspection
    John Yedinak 410-996-5265

3. Storm water Management: Department of Public Works
   Plans Review:
   Mark Woodhull 410-996-5265
 
   Inspection:

   Van Funk, Program Manager 410-996-5267

   John Hash 410-996-5267

   Mike Heil 410-996-5267
   Keith Thomas 410-996-5267
   

4. Forest Conservation: Planning and Zoning
   David Black 410-996-5220

5. Critical Area: Planning and Zoning
   Joe Johnson 410-996-5225

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RESOURCES:

1994 Maryland Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control

Maryland’s Waterway Construction Guidelines

 

Waters and Wetlands Regulatory Field Handbook