County accepts $25,000 Critical Area grant to review local regulations

St. Mary—s County commissioners on July 29 authorized acceptance of a $25,000 one-time grant awarded by the Maryland Critical Area Commission to review the county—s local critical-area program.

"The Critical Area Commission has awarded the department the one-time grant of $25,000 to St. Mary—s County," Deputy Director Courtney Jenkins told the board. Jenkins said there is no local match required and that the funds will be used to identify potential amendments to county regulations that would align the local program with COMAR and state criteria.

Jenkins said the department expects to explore hiring a consultant to perform the comprehensive review, though staff have developed draft language and legal review internally that could be used if procurement does not identify a consultant within budget.

Commissioners asked staff to examine how RCA/ LDA/IDA (Resource Conservation Area, Limited Development Area, Intense Development Area) designations are allocated and to consider ways landowners could challenge or resolve disputed designations without prohibitive cost. Jenkins said staff would review state wetland maps, past environmental studies, and potential revisions with the state and incorporate commissioner-directed topics into the consultant scope or internal work.

A motion to accept the grant and authorize the commissioner president to sign related documents carried by voice vote. Staff said they will work with procurement to identify consultant options and will report back with a scope and timetable.