Environmentally Sensitive Area

This guide provides technical information to protect environmentally sensitive areas. It describes the statutory framework in Maryland, the Economic Growth, Resource Protection, and Planning Act of 1992, and contains information on a variety of sensitive areas, including streams and buffers, floodplains, habitats, and steep slopes. Each sensitive area overview contains justifications for protection, definitions, protection measures, and mapping guideline. Additionally, it outlines a process for preparing the “Sensitive Area” element of a comprehensive plan, specifically reviewing how to collect background information; identify goals, objectives, and policy elements; arrange a sensitive areas element; additional plan elements; and implementation.