Bay Smart

A Citizen's Guide to Maryland's Critical Area Program

Note: All the documents in this section are available for download in a .pdf format.

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Financial assistance provided by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A publication (or report) of the Maryland Coastal Zone Management Program, Department of Natural Resources pursuant to NOAA Award No. to NA06NOS4190237.

The facilities and services of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources are available to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin or physical or mental disability. This document is available in alternative format upon request from a qualified individual with disability. This program receives Federal assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and thus prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, and sex in educational programs, pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or service, please contact the Office of Fair Practices – MD Department of Natural Resources, Tawes Building, 580 Taylor Avenue, D-4, Annapolis, MD 21401. The telephone number is 410-260-8058. You may also write to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Civil Rights Coordinator, Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, 4040 N. Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop 110, Arlington, VA 22203.

For general questions or information about the Critical Area Program or questions relating to State oversight of local programs, e-mail Mary Owens or call 410-260-3480.

Guidance Publications

• Bay Smart Guide
• Overview of House Bill 1253 - 2008 Legislation
  (Adobe Acrobat file 220KB)
• A Guide to the Conservation of Forest Interior Dwelling Birds in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area
  (Adobe Acrobat file 270KB)
• Critical Area 10% Rule Guidance Manual
• Private vs. State Tidal Wetlands
• Forest Mitigation
• Public Walkways
• Living Shorelines
• Backyard Makeover
• Golf Courses in the RCA - Final
• Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping - Chesapeake Bay Watershed - U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
• Local Government Assistance Guide - Critical Area Buffer
• Local Government Assistance Guide - Lot Coverage

NEW PUBLICATION!

This new publication was developed to assist homeowners with planting and maintaining shoreline Buffers. It includes lots of information about the importance of the Critical Area Buffer and includes Buffer Management Plans that can be used to satisfy Buffer planting requirements for new construction on waterfront lots.