The responsibility for implementing DNR’s non-discrimination programs, policies, and procedures has been delegated to the following Nondiscrimination Coordinator:
Office of Fair Practice
Department of Natural Resources
580 Taylor Ave., C-3
Annapolis MD 21401
customerservice.dnr@maryland.gov
If you believe that you have been discriminated against with respect to a DNR program or activity, you may contact the Office of Fair Practices to learn how and where to file a complaint of discrimination.
Federal Authorities Legislation
- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964;
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; as amended by section 119 of the Rehabilitation, ComprehensiveServices, and Developmental Disabilities Amendments of 1997;
- Age Discrimination Act of 1975;
- Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972;
- Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;
- Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972
State Authorities
- Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article, §§ 20-301 through 20-305 (Non-discrimination Places of Public Accommodation)
Information regarding this non-discrimination statement, including available Limited English Proficiency languages, can be obtained by contacting the Office of Fair Practices at customerservice.dnr@maryland.gov
Purpose
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) has established a grievance procedure to ensure prompt and fair resolution of complaints, not related to employment, alleging discrimination due to an individual's race, color, national origin, including Limited English Proficiency, sex, age, or disability or retaliation for exercising rights under applicable non-discrimination laws and regulations in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, The Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and other related federal and state civil rights statutes and regulations. The procedure applies also to complaints, not related to employment, alleging discrimination in the provision of public accommodations due to an individual's race, sex, age, color, creed, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability, in violation of State law. This procedure has been adopted to conform to 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7 and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.
The grievance procedure provides a process for resolving disputes either formally, through written complaint, investigation and Department decision, or informally, by agreement of the parties.
The primary contact for the Discrimination Grievance Procedure is the Department's Nondiscrimination Coordinator:
Director of Equal Opportunity & ADA Coordinator
Department of Natural Resources
580 Taylor Ave., C-3 Annapolis, Maryland 21401
ndc.dnr@maryland.gov
Nondiscrimination Coordinator
The Nondiscrimination Coordinator is the chief administrator and investigator of grievances under this procedure. As described more fully below, the Nondiscrimination Coordinator:
- Serves as DNR's representative regarding the Discrimination Grievance Procedure.
- Reviews each written complaint and prepares a draft determination, subject to review by the Office of the Attorney General and the Fair Practices Officer, to accept or reject it for investigation.
- Conducts investigation of accepted complaints, to include researching the facts of the case and interviewing the relevant persons.
- Assists parties pursuing informal resolution of a complaint.
- Determines timeliness of complaint submission and ensures timely completion of Department actions under this Procedure.
- Upon completing the investigation of a complaint, generates either a draft closure letter or draft letter of finding subject to review by the Office of the Attorney General and the Fair Practices Officer.
- Monitors implementation of corrective actions and other obligations under any LOF or informal resolution agreement.
