Revised Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Regulation

James Soltesz, Vice-Chair to the Maryland Business Regulatory Reform Commission, was instrumental in revising the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control/Change Code of Maryland Regulations Erosion & Sediment Control Requirements.  The Maryland Register released a revised regulation on January 20, 2017. The purpose of this regulation is to amend the definition of “grading unit.” Previously, the code limited the “grading unit” to 20 acres, causing unnecessary expense and delays to construction operations.  Also, the proposed changes extends the time period an approved sediment control plan is valid, eliminates the requirement that sites be inspected once every 2 weeks, and updates the handbook entitled “2011 Maryland Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control (Maryland Register, Volume 44, Issue 2, January 20, 2017).

At this time, the Maryland Register is required to allow for a 30 day public comment period.  MDE expects the revisions to the 20-acre limit to be in place by the end of March 2017.

Soltesz is a professional services engineering firm providing civil engineering, planning, surveying, and environmental services to public and private clients throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area.  Founded in 1980, Soltesz is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, with six offices strategically located throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia.