1. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

2. B. Terms Defined.

   1. (1) “Affected land” has the meaning stated in Environment Article, §15-801, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   2. (2) “Borrow pit” has the meaning stated in Environment Article, §15-801, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   3. (3) “Mineral” has the meaning stated in Environment Article, §15-801, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   4. (4) “Overburden” has the meaning stated in Environment Article, §15-801, Annotated Code of Maryland.

   5. (5) “Reclamation” means:

      1. (a) The protection of a natural resource that is located in an area adjacent to a surface mining activity, including a forest, wildlife habitat, waterbody, and wetland; and
      2. (b) The reasonable rehabilitation of affected land for a useful purpose.
   6. (6) “Spoil pile” has the meaning stated in Environment Article, §15-801, Annotated Code of Maryland.

   7. (7) Surface Mining.

      1. (a) “Surface mining” means:

         1. (i) The breaking of surface soil located in the Critical Area in order to extract or remove a mineral;
         2. (ii) An activity or process that is part of the method of extraction or removal of a mineral from its original location in the Critical Area; and
         3. (iii) The extraction or removal of sand, gravel, rock, stone, earth, or fill from a borrow pit for the purpose of constructing a road or another public facility.

      2. (b) “Surface mining” includes:

         1. (i) An activity related to the processing of a mineral at the site of extraction or removal;
         2. (ii) Extraction or removal of overburden and mining of a limited amount of a mineral when done for the purpose of prospecting, to the extent necessary, for the purpose of determining the location, quantity, or quality of a natural deposit; and
         3. (iii) A mining activity.
      3. (c) “Surface mining” does not include an activity or process that is excluded under the provisions of Environment Article, §15-807, Annotated Code of Maryland, or COMAR 26.21.01.08.

   8. (8) Wash Plant.

      1. (a) “Wash plant” means a facility where sand or gravel is washed during processing.
      2. (b) “Wash plant” includes a stockpile, a wash pond, and related washing equipment.

Authority: Natural Resources Article, §8-1808(d), Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: May 13, 1986 (12:24 Md. R. 2352)

COMAR 14.15 became effective upon the enactment of Resolution No. 37 (SJ 9), Acts of 1986.

COMAR 14.15.07 recodified to COMAR 27.01.07 in August, 1992

Regulation .03B amended effective October 29, 2012 (39:21 Md. R. 1380)

Chapter revised effective June 29, 2020 (47:13 Md. R. 644)

Regulation .02A amended effective January 20, 2025 (52:1 Md. R. 19)

Regulation .03B amended effective January 20, 2025 (52:1 Md. R. 19)