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Wetlands & Waterways Authorization

New  - Tidal Wetlands Authorization

The goal of the tidal wetlands program is to manage tidal wetlands to provide reasonable use while furnishing essential resource protection in the State of Maryland.
To accomplish this goal, the following activities are regulated by the Department:
  • Filling of open water and vegetated wetlands
  • Construction of piers and associated structures
  • Construction of shore erosion control structures
  • Dredging
  • Marsh establishment (living shoreline)

Tidal wetlands, which fringe many of the shorelines of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, as well as the Coastal Bays, include marshes, shrub swamps, forested wetlands, submerged aquatic vegetation and open waters. Each type of wetland plays a vital role in the health of the Chesapeake and Coastal Bay estuaries. Roles of tidal wetlands include fish and wildlife habitat, water quality enhancement, natural shoreline protection, flood protection, recreational opportunities, and aesthetics.Application documents required for tidal wetland activities include JPA Short Form.

Expected Fee

$385 - $1950

Estimated Processing Time

30-325 days

  1. Complete a "Joint Federal/State Application for the Alteration of any Floodplain, Waterway, Tidal or Nontidal Wetland in Maryland" application.

Application Services
Regulatory & Customer Service Division
[email protected]
(410) 537-3752

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Start Application

Modification  - Tidal Wetlands Authorization

The goal of the tidal wetlands program is to manage tidal wetlands to provide reasonable use while furnishing essential resource protection in the State of Maryland. To accomplish this goal, the following activities are regulated by the Department: • Filling of open water and vegetated wetlands • Construction of piers and associated structures • Construction of shore erosion control structures • Dredging • Marsh establishment (living shoreline) Tidal wetlands, which fringe many of the shorelines of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, as well as the Coastal Bays, include marshes, shrub swamps, forested wetlands, submerged aquatic vegetation and open waters. Each type of wetland plays a vital role in the health of the Chesapeake and Coastal Bay estuaries. Roles of tidal wetlands include fish and wildlife habitat, water quality enhancement, natural shoreline protection, flood protection, recreational opportunities, and aesthetics.

Expected Fee

$330 - $1950

Estimated Processing Time

30-325 days

  1. Complete a "Joint Federal/State Application for the Alteration of any Floodplain, Waterway, Tidal or Nontidal Wetland in Maryland" application.

Application Services
Regulatory & Customer Service Division
[email protected]
(410) 537-3752

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Start Application

New  - Nontidal Wetlands & Waterways Authorization

Nontidal wetlands are commonly known as marshes, swamps, bogs, wet meadows and bottomland forests. They are inland, freshwater areas usually covered or saturated with water for long periods during the growing season. Nontidal wetlands help protect the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays and streams by filtering phosphorus, nitrogen, and other pollutants from upland runoff. They form natural flood retention areas able to store floodwater and slowly release them downstream, reducing flood damages. Nontidal wetland vegetation helps stabilize stream-banks and reduce stream-bank erosion. They also provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including many rare, threatened and endangered species, and organic material for the food chain. Nontidal wetlands are also areas of scenic beauty and provide recreational opportunities. The goal of the Nontidal Wetlands Division is to manage nontidal wetlands and to provide essential resource protection by authorizing only necessary and unavoidable impacts.

Expected Fee

$290 - $1950

Estimated Processing Time

30-325 days

  1. Complete a "Joint Federal/State Application for the Alteration of any Floodplain, Waterway, Tidal or Nontidal Wetland in Maryland" application and upload plans, vicinity maps, and any supporting documentation along with the completed application.

Application Services
Regulatory & Customer Service Division
[email protected]
(410) 537-3752

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Start Application

Modification  - Nontidal Wetlands & Waterways Authorization

Nontidal wetlands are commonly known as marshes, swamps, bogs, wet meadows and bottomland forests. They are inland, freshwater areas usually covered or saturated with water for long periods during the growing season. Nontidal wetlands help protect the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays and streams by filtering phosphorus, nitrogen, and other pollutants from upland runoff. They form natural flood retention areas able to store floodwater and slowly release them downstream, reducing flood damages. Nontidal wetland vegetation helps stabilize stream-banks and reduce stream-bank erosion. They also provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including many rare, threatened and endangered species, and organic material for the food chain. Nontidal wetlands are also areas of scenic beauty and provide recreational opportunities. The goal of the Nontidal Wetlands Division is to manage nontidal wetlands and to provide essential resource protection by authorizing only necessary and unavoidable impacts.

Expected Fee

$330 - $1950

Estimated Processing Time

30-325 days

  1. Complete a "Joint Federal/State Application for the Alteration of any Floodplain, Waterway, Tidal or Nontidal Wetland in Maryland" application and upload plans, vicinity maps, and any supporting documentation along with the completed application.

Application Services
Regulatory & Customer Service Division
[email protected]
(410) 537-3752

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Start Application

New - Tidal and Nontidal Wetlands & Waterways Authorization

Wetlands—both tidal and nontidal—are vital natural resources that protect water quality, support fish and wildlife, and provide flood protection, recreation, and scenic beauty throughout Maryland. Tidal wetlands occur along the shorelines of the Chesapeake Bay, its tidal tributaries, and the Coastal Bays. They include marshes, shrub swamps, forested wetlands, submerged aquatic vegetation, and open waters. Nontidal wetlands are inland freshwater areas such as marshes, swamps, bogs, wet meadows, and bottomland forests that are usually covered or saturated with water for long periods during the growing season. The Maryland Department of the Environment manages both tidal and nontidal wetlands, the nontidal wetland buffer and waterways, including the nontidal 100-year floodplain to balance reasonable use with the protection of essential resources. Activities such as filling, dredging, constructing piers or shore erosion control structures, and other development within wetlands are regulated to ensure protection of these valuable ecosystems. For projects involving tidal wetlands, applicants use the JPA Short Form. For nontidal wetlands, applicants use the JPA Long Form. Projects involving both tidal and nontidal wetlands, applicants use the JPA Long Form.

Expected Fee

$290 - $1950

Estimated Processing Time

30-365 days

  1. Complete a "Joint Federal/State Application for the Alteration of any Floodplain, Waterway, Tidal or Nontidal Wetland in Maryland" application and upload plans, vicinity maps, and any supporting documentation along with the completed application.

Application Services
Regulatory & Customer Service Division
[email protected]
(410) 537-3752

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Start Application

Modification - Tidal and Nontidal Wetlands & Waterways Authorization

Wetlands—both tidal and nontidal—are vital natural resources that protect water quality, support fish and wildlife, and provide flood protection, recreation, and scenic beauty throughout Maryland. Tidal wetlands occur along the shorelines of the Chesapeake Bay, its tidal tributaries, and the Coastal Bays. They include marshes, shrub swamps, forested wetlands, submerged aquatic vegetation, and open waters. Nontidal wetlands are inland freshwater areas such as marshes, swamps, bogs, wet meadows, and bottomland forests that are usually covered or saturated with water for long periods during the growing season. The Maryland Department of the Environment manages both tidal and nontidal wetlands, the nontidal wetland buffer and waterways, including the nontidal 100-year floodplain to balance reasonable use with the protection of essential resources. Activities such as filling, dredging, constructing piers or shore erosion control structures, and other development within wetlands are regulated to ensure protection of these valuable ecosystems. For projects involving tidal wetlands, applicants use the JPA Short Form. For nontidal wetlands, applicants use the JPA Long Form. Projects involving both tidal and nontidal wetlands, applicants use the JPA Long Form.

Expected Fee

$330 - $1950

Estimated Processing Time

30-365 days

  1. Complete a "Joint Federal/State Application for the Alteration of any Floodplain, Waterway, Tidal or Nontidal Wetland in Maryland" application and upload plans, vicinity maps, and any supporting documentation along with the completed application.

Application Services
Regulatory & Customer Service Division
[email protected]
(410) 537-3752

< Back to Search
Start Application