Overview

In the Spring of 2008, legislation was passed and signed into law that required the State to work cooperatively with local governments to update the Critical Area Maps in all affected jurisdictions. The legislation directed the Department of Natural Resources to prepare a Statewide Base Map that includes a State-determined shoreline and landward boundary of tidal wetlands and a digitally generated, geo-referenced 1,000-foot Critical Area boundary, as appropriate for integration into a Geographic Information System.

This Critical Area Mapping Update will allow local Critical Area maps to:

• Be incorporated into the Maryland iMap System;
• Facilitate access to official Critical Area Maps via the internet;
• Use current aerial imagery as a base map; and
• Reflect current shoreline and wetland conditions.

The resulting Critical Area Maps will provide a uniform, consistent, and seamless map product that can be easily updated and accessed by the public.