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Shoreline Erosion Control Measures

Shoreline erosion control measures (SECs) are classified into two different types: living and structural SECs.

Living SECs include such measures as beach nourishment, slope grading and terracing, marsh establishment, sand containment structures, and breakwaters with marsh establishment.

Structural SECs include such measures as bulkheads, stone revetments, breakwaters, groins and jetties.

Maryland's policy is to allow structural SECs only when it is the best solution for addressing shoreline erosion. In most instances, living shorelines are preferred and required by the state because structural SECs often erode adjacent and/or nearby shorelines.
Get started early
It is important to begin discussions with the County Critical Area reviewer early in the process. This is an opportunity to discuss you project, review the requirements, and understand any potential obstacles.

It is also useful to talk to a marine contractor. These contractors will be able to offer you guidance on the best erosion control measures for your site. This is also an opportunity to find out how your property could to be accessed for construction. In some cases, construction materials can only be brought to the site by barge.
The Application Process
This workflow will help you identify the steps you need to complete before beginning work on your SEC. You may be required to obtain State and Federal permits before you can submit your application for County permits.

You can use this workflow to both identify the steps you need to take and keep track of your progress in preparing to submit your County application. When you’ve completed the workflow you’ll be able to print out a checklist for ensuring that your County application package is complete and ready to be reviewed.
Before you get started on this activity guide, make sure you run your property report. That will give you lots of important information you'll need to make the right choices.
Property Report
Where is the Critical Area?
View the interactive Critical Area Map
Want more information?
Learn more about the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area
Request an appointment with a County Critical Area Planner.
Get your project off on the right foot by talking to a County Critical Area Planner at the beginning of the process. It will help you understand the requirements and prepare you for the steps you'll be required to take.
Schedule your appointment
Request Form
Are you ready to get started?
Click Continue at the bottom of this section to move to the next section.
Continue

Define Your Project

Joint Federal and State Permits and Reviews

Joint Federal and State Permits and Reviews

All SEC projects require local permits, regardless of whether or not you will need state or federal waivers and permits.

If your project does require a Living Shoreline Waiver and any state or federal permits, these must be obtained before your local permit applications will be accepted. When submitting your local permit applications, be sure to include a copy of the state or federal permits you’ve received as well as a copy of your Living Shoreline Waiver if it was required.
You don't need any Joint Federal and State Permits. You can go right to the Local Permits and Reviews.*
Click Continue at the bottom of this section to go to the next section.
1. Got it.
Learn about the Federal and State requirements for SEC projects.*
It is important to begin discussions with the MDE Wetlands and Waterways Program staff as soon in the process as possible. This is a good opportunity to discuss your project, review requirements and understand any potential obstacles.
1. Next
MDE Wetlands and Waterways Program
Learn more about the State and Federal Requirements
Your structural SEC project WILL require a MDE Living Shoreline Waiver.*
A Living Shoreline Waiver is required for ALL structural SEC projects. Visit the Resources page to access more information on this process.
1. Next
Review the MDE requirements
Criteria for Obtaining a Living Shoreline Waiver
Your project requires a Joint State and Federal Wetlands and Waterways Permit. *
You will need to complete the Joint Federal/State Application for the Alteration of Any Tidal Wetland in Maryland (the “Short Form”).
1. Next
Tidal Wetland Permits, Licenses and Certifications
Obtain the permit form and view additional resources.
Additional Reviews*
Additional Federal and State reviews may also be required, based on the characteristics of your project site. A variety of items can trigger these reviews, such as the 100-foot critical area buffer; tidal and/or nontidal wetlands and their buffers; rare, threatened and endangered species; forest interior dwelling bird species; anadromous fish propagation waters; waterfowl staging areas; and historic or archeological significance. The outcome of these additional reviews could affect the cost and scope of your project, as well as the amount of time it will take to complete the permit approval process. Please refer to your Site Characteristics Assessment for more information on these reviews and whether they could impact your project
1. Next
Local Permits and Reviews are next.
Are you ready to start working on Local Reviews and Permits? Click Continue at the bottom of this section to move to the next section. If you want to come back later, click the "Save Progress" button at the top of the form. Go back to the Define Your Project section and click Clear Form and Start Over link at the top of the section if you want to change the characteristics or type of SEC project you are planning.
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Local Permits and Reviews

Local Permits and Reviews

Regardless of whether or not you need state or federal permits, you are required to obtain local permits. All projects require a building permit, but some will also require a grading permit. Before your local permit applications will be accepted you'll need to have received any required Federal and State Permits and Waivers.
A Calvert County Residential Building Permit is required.*
1. I need to prepare my County building permit application.
Obtain a building permit application
Building Permit Application
Based on the characteristics of your project site, additional Local Reviews may also be required.*
Additional local reviews may also be required, based on the characteristics of your project site. A variety of items can trigger these reviews, including but not limited to potential impact on cliffs or on streams and wetlands within buffer areas, location within the floodplain, agricultural preservation and historic or archeological significance. The outcome of these additional reviews could affect the cost and scope of your project, as well as the amount of time it will take to complete the permit approval process. Please refer to your Site Characteristics Assessment for more information on these reviews and whether they could impact your project.
1. Next
A Calvert County Grading Permit may also be required.*
If you will be bringing your construction supplies and equipment to the site over land, you'll need a Calvert County Grading Permit. If you plan to bring your construction equipment and supplies to the site by water, you may not need a grading permit. For guidance on whether or not you'll need a grading permit, please consult the County Critical Area Planner.
1. I have been advised that I WILL NOT need a grading permit because I will be bringing my construction equipment and supplies to the site over water.
2. I have been advised that I WILL need a grading permit because I will be bringing my construction equipment and supplies to the site over land.
Obtain a grading permit application
Grading Permit Application
Soil Conservation Review*
If you require a grading permit, your project will also be reviewed by the Calvert County Soil Conservation District. It is important to be aware of their guidelines.
1. I need to reveiw the Soil Conservation District Guidelines
Review the SCD requirements
Soil Conservation District Guidelines
Are you ready to continue?
The Application Checklist is next. Use this to make sure you've met all the requirements for submitting your application package. Click Continue at the bottom of this section to move to the next section. If you want to come back later, click the "Save Progress" button at the top of the form. Go back to the Define Your Project section and click Clear Form and Start Over link at the top of the section if you want to change the characteristics or type of SEC project you are planning.
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Application Checklist

Application Package

Application Package
Based on the answers you've provided throughout this guide, the items you'll need to in you County Application Package for your Shoreline Erosion Control project are listed below.
Maryland Living Shoreline Waiver
Please include a copy of the waiver. If this is required it must be granted before you can submit your County applications.
1. Included
Joint Federal and State Wetlands and Waterways Permit
Please include a copy of the permit. If this is required it must be granted before you can submit you County applications.
1. Included
Calvert County Residential Building Permit Application
1. Included
Calvert County Grading Permit Application
1. Included

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