If you are the owner of a property in the Chesapeake
Bay Critical Area, it has never been more important than NOW to
care for your property in a way that protects the Chesapeake Bay
watershed from the impact of human activities.
What is the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area? In 1984, the State of Maryland designated
the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, the 1,000-foot wide ribbon
of land around the Bay and its tidal tributaries, and set
criteria to minimize adverse effects on water quality and
natural habitats.
Why protect the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area? Human activity within 1,000 feet of
tidal waters has direct and immediate impact on the health
of the Chesapeake Bay. Eroded soil, pesticides, and fertilizers
that enter the water from the land cause destruction of habitat
for crabs, fish and other aquatic life.
Where is my “First Stop” for advice on
landscaping my property? Talk to your County Planning Office. Permits are required for
changes to your property if any part of your property is in the
Critical Area. Caroline
County 410-479-8100 Kent
County 410-778-7473 Queen
Anne's County 410-758-1255 Talbot
County 410-770-8030
How can I care for my property and protect the Chesapeake
Bay?
Plant native trees and shrubs
Create wildlife habitat
Reduce impervious surface
Use living shorelines techniques to reduce erosion
Free Workshop: “Becoming Bay Smart: Living
within Maryland’s Critical Area.” February
25, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
This half-day workshop is designed for citizens, new
Critical Area property owners, realtors, and contractors
who want to learn the basics of the Critical Area Program
and how it applies to where they live, work and play.
Training will be presented by Critical Area Commission
staff and will include a brief history of the program
and how it is implemented as a partnership between state
and local governments. Development within the Critical
Area will be covered in some
detail. Topics to be discussed include:
• Regulations for building in the RCA, LDA, and
IDA
• The importance and functions of the Critical
Area Buffer
• The types of Buffer Management Plans and how
they are used
• Shoreline projects and how the permit process
is handled jointly by Maryland Department of the Environment,
Corps of Engineers, and local governments. Registration
required at (410) 634-2847 ext. 0, or online at www.adkinsarboretum.org
Critical Area Buffer Protection
Learn about Critical Area buffer regulations adopted
by the state of Maryland in March 2010 here.
Free
Bay-Wise Consultations Available
Invite University of Maryland Extension Master Gardeners
to visit your property to consult on "Bay-Wise"
landscape management practices. They will help you make
sure you are doing what is best to protect your local
waterway. Go a step further and have your landscape
certified, with a sign that shows everyone you are doing
what is best for the Bay. Visit the
Bay-Wise web site to learn more about this free
service.
The Green Book for the Bay
An
illustrated guidebook for Critical Area property owners
living on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
Free
Bay-Wise Consultations Available
An
illustrated guidebook for Critical Area property owners
living on Maryland's Eastern Shore.