EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0936*
SENATE BILL 936
M3, M4, M1 4lr1962
CF 4lr1961
By: Senator Gallion
Introduced and read first time: February 2, 2024
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Environment – Wood Vaults – Authorization and Permit Requirements 2
FOR the purpose of authorizing a landowner whose land is subject to an agricultural land 3
preservation easement to use the land for the construction and use of a certain wood 4
vault under certain circumstances, notwithstanding the terms of the easement; 5
requiring a person to have a permit issued by the Secretary of the Environment 6
before the person installs, materially alters, or materially extends a certain wood 7
vault; applying certain provisions of law relating to permit requirements for certain 8
facilities, including landfills, to a certain wood vault, including requirements for 9
public participation, financial assurance, and closure; specifying that an easement 10
approved by the Maryland Environmental Trust or acquired by the Rural Legacy 11
Board may allow for the construction and use of a certain wood vault; and generally 12
relating to wood vaults. 13
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 14
Article – Agriculture 15
Section 2–513(a) and (b)(1) 16
Annotated Code of Maryland 17
(2016 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 18
BY adding to 19
Article – Agriculture 20
Section 2–513(e) 21
Annotated Code of Maryland 22
(2016 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 23
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 24
Article – Agriculture 25
Section 2–513(e) and (f) 26
Annotated Code of Maryland 27
(2016 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 28 2 SENATE BILL 936
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 1
Article – Environment 2
Section 1–601(a) 3
Annotated Code of Maryland 4
(2013 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 5
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 6
Article – Environment 7
Section 9–101(a) and (j)(1), 9–201(a), and 9–501(a) 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2014 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 10
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 11
Article – Environment 12
Section 9–101(j)(3), 9–201(e), 9–204(a), (c)(1), (d), (e)(1)(i), and (h), 9–204.2, 9–205, 13
9–208(a), 9–209, 9–211, 9–212.1, 9–213, 9–214, 9–215, 9–220, 9–221(a), 14
9–252, 9–314, and 9–501(n) 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2014 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 17
BY adding to 18
Article – Environment 19
Section 9–101(m) and (n) 20
Annotated Code of Maryland 21
(2014 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 22
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 23
Article – Natural Resources 24
Section 3–201(a)(1) 25
Annotated Code of Maryland 26
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 27
BY adding to 28
Article – Natural Resources 29
Section 3–201(d) and 5–9A–05(q) 30
Annotated Code of Maryland 31
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 32
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 33
Article – Natural Resources 34
Section 5–9A–05(a) 35
Annotated Code of Maryland 36
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 37
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 38
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 39 SENATE BILL 936 3
Article – Agriculture 1
2–513. 2
(a) Agricultural land preservation easements may be purchased under this 3
subtitle for any land in agricultural use which meets the minimum criteria established 4
under § 2–509 of this subtitle if the easement and county regulations governing the use of 5
the land include the following provisions: 6
(1) Any farm use of land is permitted. 7
(2) Operation at any time of any machinery used in farm production or the 8
primary processing of agricultural products is permitted. 9
(3) All normal agricultural operations performed in accordance with good 10
husbandry practices which do not cause bodily injury or directly endanger human health 11
are permitted including, but not limited to, sale of farm products produced on the farm 12
where such sales are made. 13
(b) (1) A landowner whose land is subject to an easement may not use the land 14
for any commercial, industrial, or residential purpose except: 15
(i) As determined by the Foundation, for farm– and forest–related 16
uses and home occupations; or 17
(ii) As otherwise provided under this section. 18
(E) NOTWITHSTANDING THE T ERMS OF AN AGRICULTU RAL PRESERVATION 19
EASEMENT ACQUIRED BY THE FOUNDATION BY PURCHAS E, GRANT, GIFT, 20
DONATION, OR OTHERWISE , A LANDOWNER WHOSE LA ND IS SUBJECT TO AN 21
EASEMENT MAY USE THE LAND FOR THE CONSTRU CTION AND USE OF A W OOD VAULT 22
AS DEFINED IN § 9–101 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE. 23
[(e)] (F) Purchase of an easement by the Foundation does not grant the public 24
any right of access or right of use of the subject property. 25
[(f)] (G) An agricultural land preservation easement purchased under this 26
subtitle shall be included as part of a partnership under the Readiness and Environmental 27
Protection Integration Program established under 10 U.S.C. § 2684a if: 28
(1) The land that is subject to an easement is in the vicinity of, or 29
ecologically related to, the Atlantic Test Range; 30
4 SENATE BILL 936
(2) The landowner whose land is subject to an easement agrees to any 1
restrictions imposed on the easement under the Readiness and Environmental Protection 2
Integration Program established under 10 U.S.C. § 2684a; and 3
(3) Funding is available to the Foundation to enter into an agreement 4
under the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program established under 5
10 U.S.C. § 2684a. 6
Article – Environment 7
1–601. 8
(a) Permits issued by the Department under the following sections shall be issued 9
in accordance with this subtitle: 10
(1) Air quality control permits to construct subject to § 2–404 of this article; 11
(2) Permits to install, materially alter, or materially extend landfill 12
systems, incinerators for public use, WOOD VAULTS , or rubble landfills subject to § 9–209 13
of this article; 14
(3) Permits to discharge pollutants to waters of the State issued pursuant 15
to § 9–323 of this article; 16
(4) Permits to install, materially alter, or materially extend a structure 17
used for storage or distribution of any type of sewage sludge issued, renewed, or amended 18
pursuant to § 9–234.1 or § 9–238 of this article; 19
(5) Permits to own, operate, establish, or maintain a controlled hazardous 20
substance facility issued pursuant to § 7–232 of this article; 21
(6) Permits to own, operate, or maintain a hazardous material facility 22
issued pursuant to § 7–103 of this article; 23
(7) Permits to own, operate, establish, or maintain a low–level nuclear 24
waste facility issued pursuant to § 7–233 of this article; and 25
(8) Potable reuse permits issued in accordance with § 9–303.2 of this 26
article. 27
9–101. 28
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 29
(j) (1) “Solid waste” means any garbage, refuse, sludge, or liquid from 30
industrial, commercial, mining, or agricultural operations or from community activities. 31
SENATE BILL 936 5
(3) “Solid waste” does not include: 1
(i) Solid or dissolved material in domestic sewage or in irrigation 2
return flows; 3
(ii) Compost as defined in § 9–1701 of this title; 4
(iii) Organic material capable of being composted that is composted 5
in accordance with regulations adopted under § 9–1725(b) of this title; 6
(IV) WOODY BIOMASS ; or 7
[(iv)] (V) Materials that are managed at a recycling facility in 8
accordance with regulations adopted under § 9–1713 of this title. 9
(M) “WOOD VAULT” MEANS A STRUCTURE THAT IS US ED TO BURY WOODY 10
BIOMASS DEEP ENOUGH THAT THE WOODY BIOMA SS IS SUBJECTED TO A NOXIC 11
CONDITIONS THAT IMPE DE OR PREVENT DECOMP OSITION AND RESULT I N 12
EFFECTIVE CARBON SEQ UESTRATION. 13
(N) “WOODY BIOMASS ” MEANS VEGETATION THA T: 14
(1) DOES NO T CONTAIN TOXIC CHEM ICALS OR OTHER 15
CONTAMINANTS THAT AR E UNSUITABLE FOR LON G–TERM BURIAL; AND 16
(2) (I) IS SOURCED FROM WOOD RESIDUALS UNFIT FOR MARKET; 17
AND 18
(II) IF NOT BURIED IN A WO OD VAULT, WOULD BE MULCHED , 19
BURNED, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE D OF, RESULTING IN THE RELEASE O F CARBON 20
WITHIN 20 YEARS IF NOT SEQUEST ERED. 21
9–201. 22
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 23
(e) (1) “Refuse disposal system” includes: 24
[(1)] (I) An incinerator; 25
[(2)] (II) A transfer station; 26
[(3)] (III) A landfill system; 27
[(4)] (IV) A landfill; 28 6 SENATE BILL 936
[(5)] (V) A solid waste processing facility; and 1
[(6)] (VI) Any other solid waste acceptance facility. 2
(2) “REFUSE DISPOSAL SYSTE M” DOES NOT INCLUDE A W OOD VAULT 3
AS DEFINED IN § 9–101 OF THIS TITLE. 4
9–204. 5
(a) This section applies to any water supply system, sewerage system, WOOD 6
VAULT, refuse disposal system that is for public use, or any refuse disposal system that is 7
a solid waste acceptance facility as defined in § 9–501(n) of this title if the solid waste 8
acceptance facility is installed, altered, or extended after July 1, 1988. 9
(c) (1) Before a person draws plans or submits an application under this 10
section for a proposed water supply system, sewerage system, WOOD VAULT , or refuse 11
disposal system, the person may submit to the Secretary a preliminary statement on the 12
proposed system. 13
(d) A person shall have a permit issued by the Secretary under this section before 14
the person installs, materially alters, or materially extends a WOOD VAULT , water supply 15
system, sewerage system, or refuse disposal system. 16
(e) An applicant for a permit shall: 17
(1) Submit to the Secretary an application that contains: 18
(i) The complete plans and specifications for the installation, 19
alteration, or extension of the WOOD VAULT , water supply system, sewerage system, or 20
refuse disposal system; 21
(h) A person may not: 22
(1) Install, materially alter, or materially extend a water supply system, 23
sewerage system, WOOD VAULT , or refuse disposal system in this State except in 24
accordance with a permit issued to the person by the Secretary under this section; or 25
(2) Embody any material change in construction until the Secretary has 26
issued a revised permit based on the submission to the Secretary under subsection (e)(2) of 27
this section. 28
9–204.2. 29
SENATE BILL 936 7
(a) In addition to the requirements of § 9–204 of this subtitle and Title 1, Subtitle 1
6 of this article, an applicant for a permit to install, materially alter, or materially extend 2
a landfill system OR WOOD VAULT shall give notice of the application by certified mail to: 3
(1) The owners of all real property adjoining the site where the proposed 4
project is located; 5
(2) The chairman of the legislative body and any elected executive of the 6
county where the proposed project site is located; 7
(3) The elected executive of any municipal corporation where the proposed 8
project site is located; and 9
(4) Any other county within 1 mile of where the proposed project site is 10
located. 11
(b) Any informational meeting required by § 1–603 of this article shall be held in 12
accordance with Title 1, Subtitle 6 of this article. 13
9–205. 14
(a) In this section, “authority” means a water, sewerage, or sanitary district 15
authority. 16
(b) This section applies only to any water supply system, sewerage system, WOOD 17
VAULT, or refuse disposal system that is for public use in this State. 18
(c) Any authority or person who owns a water supply system, sewerage system, 19
WOOD VAULT , or refuse disposal system or who supplies or is authorized to supply water, 20
sewerage, or refuse disposal service to the public shall submit to the Secretary: 21
(1) A certified copy of the complete plans for the water supply system, 22
sewerage system, WOOD VAULT , or refuse disposal system that: 23
(i) Is correct on the date of submission; and 24
(ii) Is of the scope and detail that the Secretary requires; and 25
(2) Any existing specifications of or reports on the water supply system, 26
sewerage system, WOOD VAULT , or refuse disposal system. 27
(d) If plans do not exist or are of insufficient scope or detail, the authority or 28
person who is required to submit the plans shall: 29
(1) Prepare and submit to the Secretary new or supplemented plans; and 30
8 SENATE BILL 936
(2) Make any investigation that is necessary to ensure that the new or 1
supplemented plans are correct. 2
(e) (1) The Secretary may request any other information about the water 3
supply system, sewerage system, WOOD VAULT , or refuse disposal system, including 4
information or records on maintenance and operation, that the Secretary considers 5
appropriate. 6
(2) Any authority or person to whom a request is made under paragraph 7
(1) of this subsection shall submit the information or records to the Secretary. 8
9–208. 9
(a) On request, the Secretary shall consult with and advise the owner, operator, 10
prospective owner, or prospective operator of an existing or planned water supply system, 11
drainage system, sewerage system, WOOD VAULT , or refuse disposal system with respect 12
to the existing and future needs of all persons and communities that may be affected on 13
any of the following aspects of the system: 14
(1) The most appropriate source of water; 15
(2) The best method of assuring the purity of the water; and 16
(3) The best method of disposing of drainage, sewage, or refuse. 17
9–209. 18
(a) The applicant shall give notice of the application, the informational meeting, 19
and hearings: 20
(1) To the public in compliance with Title 1, Subtitle 6 of this article; 21
(2) By certified mail to the board of county commissioners or the county 22
council of any county and the chief executive of any county or municipal corporation that 23
the Department determines may be affected by the incinerator for public use, WOOD 24
VAULT, or landfill system, including any county or municipal corporation within one mile 25
of the property line of the proposed incinerator for public use, WOOD VAULT , or landfill 26
system; 27
(3) To the Department of Natural Resources, by certified mail; 28
(4) By certified mail to each member of the General Assembly representing 29
any part of: 30
(i) A county in which the landfill system, WOOD VAULT , or 31
incinerator for public use is located; or 32 SENATE BILL 936 9
(ii) A county within 1 mile of the property line of the proposed 1
landfill system, WOOD VAULT , or incinerator for public use; 2
(5) To record owners of real property within 1,000 feet of the property line 3
of the proposed incinerator for public use, WOOD VAULT , or landfill system, by certified 4
mail to the addresses of record owners as indicated in the records of the State Department 5
of Assessments and Taxation; and 6
(6) By posting a notice of the application, the informational meeting, and 7
hearings in a conspicuous space on the site of the proposed incinerator for public use, WOOD 8
VAULT, or landfill system. 9
(b) The local officials notified under subsection (a)(2) of this section shall give 10
notice of the application, the informational meeting, and hearings to all interested agencies 11
of their respective jurisdictions. 12
(c) To the extent practicable, the Department and other units of the State 13
government shall consolidate the informational meeting and hearings concerning permits 14
for the same landfill system, WOOD VAULT , or incinerator for public use. 15
9–211. 16
(a) (1) Except for a sanitary landfill that is subject to § 9–211.1 of this subtitle, 17
and as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, before the Secretary issues a permit for 18
a landfill, incinerator, WOOD VAULT , or transfer station to any private person, the 19
applicant for the permit shall: 20
(i) File with the Department a bond on the form that the 21
Department provides; or 22
(ii) Deposit with the governing body of the local jurisdiction where 23
the landfill, incinerator, WOOD VAULT , or transfer station will be located cash, negotiable 24
bonds of the federal government or this State, or any other security that the Department 25
approves. 26
(2) The Secretary may adopt regulations to exempt any legitimate 27
recycling or reclamation facility from the requirements of this section. 28
(b) (1) The obligation of a bond filed under this section shall be so conditioned 29
as to be void on the closing of the landfill, incinerator, WOOD VAULT , or transfer station in 30
a manner that prevents erosion, health and safety hazards, nuisances, and pollution. 31
(2) The local governing body that receives a deposit of cash or other security 32
under this section shall hold the security in trust in the name of the local jurisdiction to 33 10 SENATE BILL 936
assure the closing of the landfill, incinerator, WOOD VAULT , or transfer station in a manner 1
that prevents erosion, health and safety hazards, nuisances, and pollution. 2
(c) A bond filed under this section shall be payable to the governing body of the 3
political subdivision where the landfill, incinerator, WOOD VAULT , or transfer station will 4
be located. 5
(d) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, for a landfill: 6
(i) Unless otherwise required by federal law or regulation, a bond 7
filed under this section shall be in the amount of $10,000 for each acre of land to which the 8
permit applies, but not less than $250,000; 9
(ii) Cash deposited under this section shall be not less than the 10
amount specified in item (i) of this paragraph; and 11
(iii) The market value of other security deposited under this section 12
shall be not less than the amount specified in item (i) of this paragraph. 13
(2) For an incinerator, WOOD VAULT , or transfer station, the Department 14
shall establish the amount of the security required by this section. 15
(3) (i) This paragraph does not apply to a rubble landfill. 16
(ii) For sanitary landfills that are restricted to acceptance of land 17
clearing debris specified in regulations of the Department, a bond filed under this section 18
shall be in the amount of $2,000 for each acre of land to which the permit applies, with a 19
minimum amount of security of $25,000. 20
(e) Both the applicant for a permit and a corporate surety licensed to do business 21
in this State shall execute any bond filed under this section. 22
(f) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the term of any 23
bond filed under this section and the time during which cash or other security must remain 24
on deposit under this section is: 25
(i) The duration of the operation of the landfill, incinerator, WOOD 26
VAULT, or transfer station; and 27
(ii) An additional 5 years after the closing of the landfill, incinerator, 28
WOOD VAULT , or transfer station. 29
(2) If the Department has assurances that the landfill, incinerator, WOOD 30
VAULT, or transfer station has been closed in a manner that prevents erosion, health and 31
safety hazards, nuisances, and pollution, the Department may release the security filed or 32 SENATE BILL 936 11
deposited under this section before the end of the 5–year period specified in paragraph 1
(1)(ii) of this subsection. 2
(g) (1) The obligation of the holder of a permit for a landfill, incinerator, WOOD 3
VAULT, or transfer station and of any corporate surety under the bond shall become due 4
and payable and any cash, securities, or bond proceeds shall be applied to payment of the 5
costs of properly closing a landfill, incinerator, WOOD VAULT , or transfer station only if the 6
Department: 7
(i) Notifies the permit holder and any corporate surety on the bond 8
that the landfill, incinerator, WOOD VAULT , or transfer station has not been closed in a 9
manner that prevents erosion, health and safety hazards, nuisances, and pollution; 10
(ii) Specifies in the notice the deficiencies in the closing that must be 11
corrected; 12
(iii) Gives the permit holder and the corporate surety a reasonable 13
opportunity to correct the deficiencies and to close the landfill, incinerator, WOOD VAULT , 14
or transfer station in accordance with the regulations of the Department; and 15
(iv) Authorizes the local governing body to close the landfill, 16
incinerator, WOOD VAULT , or transfer station in accordance with the regulations of the 17
Department. 18
(2) The local governing body shall use bond proceeds, cash, or the proceeds 19
of other security to pay the cost of properly closing the landfill, incinerator, WOOD VAULT , 20
or transfer station. 21
9–212.1. 22
The Department may deny an application for a permit for a sanitary landfill system 23
OR WOOD VAULT to any nongovernmental person if: 24
(1) The owner of the land, the operator, or the applicant has violated: 25
(i) Any law of this State or any other state concerning sanitary 26
landfills OR WOOD VAULTS ; or 27
(ii) Any regulation or permit condition of this State or any other 28
state concerning sanitary landfills OR WOOD VAULTS ; or 29
(2) The Department finds that operation of the sanitary landfill system OR 30
WOOD VAULT would harm public health or the environment. 31
9–213. 32
12 SENATE BILL 936
(a) A permit for a landfill system OR WOOD VAULT expires on the 5th 1
anniversary of its date of issue, unless the permit is renewed for a 5–year term as provided 2
in this section. 3
(b) Before a permit for a landfill system OR WOOD VAULT expires, the permit 4
holder may renew it for an additional 5–year term, if the permit holder: 5
(1) Submits to the Department a renewal application on the form that the 6
Department requires; 7
(2) Gives notice, by certified mail, of the renewal application to each 8
member of the General Assembly in whose district the landfill system OR WOOD VAULT is 9
located; and 10
(3) Obtains the written approval of the Department. 11
9–214. 12
The Department may refuse to renew a permit for a landfill system OR WOOD 13
VAULT if: 14
(1) The permit holder violates any provision of this subtitle, any regulation 15
adopted under this subtitle, any condition of the permit, or, if operating a landfill OR WOOD 16
VAULT in another state, any statute, regulation, or permit of that state concerning landfill 17
systems OR WOOD VAULTS ; 18
(2) The Department finds that continued operation of the landfill system 19
OR WOOD VAULT would be injurious to public health or the environment; or 20
(3) The Department finds that there is any other good cause. 21
9–215. 22
(a) When landfill OR WOOD VAULT operations end, the holder of a permit issued 23
under this subtitle for a landfill system OR WOOD VAULT shall close and cover all of the 24
land for which the permit was issued in a manner that prevents: 25
(1) Erosion; 26
(2) Health and safety hazards; 27
(3) Nuisances; and 28
(4) Pollution. 29
SENATE BILL 936 13
(b) The Department shall adopt regulations that set standards for the closing and 1
covering of landfill systems AND WOOD VAULTS . 2
9–220. 3
(a) The Secretary shall order the owner or person in charge of a water supply 4
system, sewerage system, WOOD VAULT , or refuse disposal system to correct the following 5
improper conditions, if, after investigation, the Secretary determines that, because of 6
incompetent supervision or inefficient operation, the water supply system, sewerage 7
system, WOOD VAULT , or refuse disposal system: 8
(1) Is not producing reasonable results from a sanitary viewpoint; 9
(2) Is a menace to health or comfort; or 10
(3) Is causing a nuisance. 11
(b) The order shall require that the water supply system, sewerage system, 12
WOOD VAULT , or refuse disposal system produce specific, reasonable results within a time 13
that the Secretary sets. 14
(c) (1) If the water supply system, sewerage system, WOOD VAULT , or refuse 15
disposal system does not produce the required results within the time that the Secretary 16
sets, the Secretary may order the owner or person in charge to appoint, within a time that 17
the Secretary sets, a person approved by the Secretary to take charge of and operate the 18
system in a manner that will secure the results demanded by the Secretary. 19
(2) The person who is served with an order under paragraph (1) of this 20
subsection shall pay the salary of the person who is appointed in compliance with the order. 21
9–221. 22
(a) If, after investigation, the Department determines that any water supply 23
system, sewerage system, WOOD VAULT , or refuse disposal system is a menace to health 24
or comfort or is causing a nuisance, and that conditions cannot be improved sufficiently 25
only by changing the method of operation, the Department may order the owner: 26
(1) To alter or extend the water supply system, sewerage system, WOOD 27
VAULT, or refuse disposal system; or 28
(2) To install a new water supply system, sewerage system, WOOD VAULT , 29
or refuse disposal system. 30
9–252. 31
14 SENATE BILL 936
(a) (1) To prevent or correct pollution of the waters of this State, the Secretary 1
may: 2
(i) Adopt and enforce regulations; and 3
(ii) Order works to be executed. 4
(2) The Secretary may: 5
(i) Require any public water supply system, public sewerage 6
system, WOOD VAULT , or refuse disposal system to be operated in a manner that will 7
protect public health and comfort; and 8
(ii) Order the alteration, extension, or replacement of any public 9
water supply system, public sewerage system, WOOD VAULT , or refuse disposal system. 10
(b) The Secretary: 11
(1) Has supervision and control over the sanitary and physical condition of 12
the waters of this State to protect public health and comfort; 13
(2) Shall investigate: 14
(i) All sources of water and ice; and 15
(ii) All points of sewage discharge; 16
(3) Shall examine all public water supply systems, public sewerage 17
systems, WOOD VAULTS , and refuse disposal systems; and 18
(4) Shall approve or disapprove the design and construction of any public 19
water supply system, public sewerage system, WOOD VAULT , or refuse disposal system 20
that is to be built in this State. 21
(c) The powers and duties of the Secretary under this section are in addition to 22
the powers and duties set forth elsewhere in this subtitle. 23
9–314. 24
(a) (1) The Department may adopt [rules and] regulations that set, for the 25
waters of this State, water quality standards and effluent standards. 26
(2) These standards shall be designed to protect: 27
[(1)] (I) The public health, safety, and welfare; 28
SENATE BILL 936 15
[(2)] (II) Present and future use of the waters of this State for public water 1
supply; 2
[(3)] (III) The propagation of aquatic life and wildlife; 3
[(4)] (IV) Recreational use of the waters of this State; and 4
[(5)] (V) Agricultural, industrial, and other legitimate uses of the waters 5
of this State. 6
(b) The [rules and] regulations adopted under this section shall include at least 7
the following: 8
(1) Water quality standards that specify the maximum permissible short 9
term and long term concentrations of pollutants in the water, the minimum permissible 10
concentrations of dissolved oxygen and other desirable matter in the water, and the 11
temperature range for the water. 12
(2) Effluent standards that specify the maximum loading or concentrations 13
and the physical, thermal, chemical, biological, and radioactive properties of wastes that 14
may be discharged into the waters of this State. 15
(3) Definition of technique for filling and sealing abandoned water wells 16
and holes, [for] disposal wells, [for] deep mines and surface mines, WOOD VAULTS , and 17
[for] landfills to prevent groundwater contamination, seepage, and drainage into the 18
waters of this State. 19
(4) Requirements for the sale, offer, use, or storage of pesticides and other 20
substances that the Department finds to constitute water pollution hazards. 21
(5) Procedures for water pollution incidents or emergencies that constitute 22
an acute danger to health or the environment. 23
(6) Provisions for equipment and procedures for monitoring pollutants, 24
collecting samples, and logging and reporting of monitoring. 25
(c) Effluent standards set under this section shall be at least as stringent as those 26
specified by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. 27
9–501. 28
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 29
(n) (1) “Solid waste acceptance facility” means any sanitary landfill, 30
incinerator, transfer station, or plant whose primary purpose is to dispose of, treat, or 31
process solid waste. 32 16 SENATE BILL 936
(2) “SOLID WASTE ACCEPTANC E FACILITY” DOES NOT INCLUDE A 1
WOOD VAULT AS DEFINE D IN § 9–101 OF THIS TITLE. 2
Article – Natural Resources 3
3–201. 4
(a) (1) There is a Maryland Environmental Trust established to conserve, 5
improve, stimulate, and perpetuate the aesthetic, natural, health and welfare, scenic, and 6
cultural qualities of the environment, including, but not limited to land, water, air, wildlife, 7
scenic qualities, open spaces, buildings or any interest therein, and other appurtenances 8
pertaining in any way to the State. 9
(D) AN EASEMENT APPROVED BY THE TRUST MAY ALLOW FOR T HE 10
CONSTRUCTION AND USE OF A WOOD VAULT AS D EFINED IN § 9–101 OF THE 11
ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE. 12
5–9A–05. 13
(a) (1) A sponsor may file an application to designate a Rural Legacy Area in 14
accordance with a schedule established by the Board. 15
(2) A local government may not apply for or approve an application for a 16
Rural Legacy Area designation inside another jurisdiction’s boundaries without that 17
jurisdiction’s approval. 18
(Q) AN EASEMENT A CQUIRED UNDER THIS S UBTITLE MAY ALLOW FO R THE 19
CONSTRUCTION AND USE OF A WOOD VAULT AS D EFINED IN § 9–101 OF THE 20
ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE. 21
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the General Assembly: 22
(1) finds and declares that wood vaults are a useful tool to address the 23
climate crisis; and 24
(2) encourages local governments to minimize permitting burdens on the 25
construction of wood vaults, in a manner similar to other agricultural best management 26
practices. 27
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 28
1, 2024. It shall remain effective for a period of 5 years and, at the end of June 30, 2029, 29
this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and 30
of no further force and effect. 31