1. A. Each local jurisdiction is encouraged to establish:

   1. (1) Cooperative arrangements with adjacent jurisdictions and with State and federal agencies concerning the policies and objectives for lands within and adjoining the jurisdiction’s Critical Area;
   2. (2) A program that provides tax benefits or other financial incentives available under State or local law to landowners who donate conservation easements, that identifies appropriate land protection measures including acceptance of donations, acquisition of easements, or fee simple purchase, and allows for funding mechanisms that include federal and State programs, local bonding authority, or donations from private organizations; and
   3. (3) An education program as a means by which landowners in the Critical Area may be informed of the intent of the law, the status of the local program, and sources of additional information and assistance.
2. B. Each local jurisdiction is encouraged to apply protection measures similar to those contained in their Critical Area program to land disturbances beyond the Critical Area boundary in an effort to protect or enhance water quality and to conserve wildlife and plant habitats of the Critical Area.
3. C. Counties and municipalities within their political boundaries are encouraged to develop their Critical Area protection programs cooperatively so that programs can be developed more efficiently and so that common land use objectives can be realized.

Authority: Natural Resources Article, §§8-1806, 8-1808(c)(d), and 8-1811, 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 14.15.10 recodified to COMAR 27.01.10 in August, 1992

Regulation .01 amended effective July 9, 2012 (39:13 Md. R. 786); November 4, 2019 (46:22 Md. R. 980); January 20, 2025 (52:1 Md. R. 19)

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