Maryland State Overview

The state of Maryland and the Maryland Department of the Environment and its Water Management Administration’s (WMA) mission is to restore and maintain the quality of the State’s ground and surface waters, and to plan for and supervise the development and conservation of the state’s water bodies. In addition, the WMA oversees the approval of erosion/sediment control and stormwater management plans and documentation, as well as the issuance of permits and state regulatory standards. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) requires that Stormwater runoff (discharge) from Maryland construction sites are regulated under section 402 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Section 402 outlines the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program.

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) mandates that construction projects that disturb one or more acres (>1.0 acres) of land; and are underway prior to December 31, 2013, must obtain coverage under the current Maryland General Permit for Stormwater Runoff Associated with Construction Activity.

In addition, projects that disturb less than one acre (<0.1 acres) but are part of a plan that will disturb one acre or greater (<0.1 acres) must also obtain a general or individual permit authorizing compliance with state standards for stormwater discharge.

Projects impacting 150 acres or more of land and which discharge into a body of water considered “impaired” by Maryland’s 303 (d) water quality standards must apply for individual permits.

*Note, All applicants may use the same form when applying for a general permit or an individual permit, if necessary.

To learn more about stormwater management check out the Stormwater Management section of this website and enroll in one of our online certificate programs. 

DISCLAIMER: This program has not yet been approved by the Maryland Department of the Environment.