Reference No. CB-013-2025    Draft No. 1
Type: Council Bill Status: Held in Committee
Meeting Body Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee
Meeting Date 2/18/2025
Introduced Date Public Hearing Date
Effective date:    
Title: AN ACT CONCERNING WOODLAND AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION for the purpose of strengthening enforcement of woodland maintenance requirements set forth in the woodland conservation ordinance; providing for periodic inspections of conservation areas after construction activities have been completed; and requiring annual reporting on inspection and enforcement activities.
Proposers/Sponsors: Eric C. Olson
Code sections: 25-120 -
Attachments: 1. B2025013, 2. CB-013-2025 Summary, 3. CB-013-2025 PAFI, 4. CB-013-2025 OOL Comments
Contact: Eric Irving, Fiscal & Legislative Specialist

Title

AN ACT CONCERNING WOODLAND AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION for the purpose of strengthening enforcement of woodland maintenance requirements set forth in the woodland conservation ordinance; providing for periodic inspections of conservation areas after construction activities have been completed; and requiring annual reporting on inspection and enforcement activities.

 

Background

Subtitle 25, Division 2 of the Prince George’s County Code sets forth the County’s Woodland and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Ordinance. This ordinance details the regulatory regime used to carry out the State and County policies of protecting sensitive environmental features before, during, and after land development activities.

 

Recognizing the importance of ongoing preservation of protected areas, the Maryland Forest Conservation Act (and its associated regulations) authorizes local governments to enter into long-term maintenance agreements to protect conservation areas from conditions that adversely affect woodland health. These agreements between the County and a property owner, typically by conservation easement, require that conservation area be maintained after traditional enforcement mechanisms (permit approval, surety bonds) have ended.

 

This legislation addresses enforcement of these maintenance responsibilities by requiring the County to conduct an initial maintenance inspection of a conservation area within two years of issuing an initial use and occupancy permit for the subject property. Following that initial inspection, the County will conduct follow-up inspections every five years. Additionally, the County will issue an annual report that details the inspections conducted during the calendar year and the resulting enforcement actions. The annual report will be submitted to the Planning Department and County Council.



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