MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOREST SERVICE

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Forest Conservation Act

​What does the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) require?

Any person making application for a subdivision, grading permit or sediment control plan on a tract of 40,000 square feet or more must submit a Forest Stand Delineation (FSD) and a Forest Conservation Plan (FCP). FSD includes the identification of existing forest cover and the environmental features of a proposed development site. It consists of an application available in Adobe Acrobat format, map and summary of specific field data collected.

  • FSD includes the identification of existing forest cover and the environmental features of a proposed development site. It consists of an application available in Adobe Acrobat format, map and summary of specific field data collected.

  • FCP includes a map and narrative describing the limits of disturbance for the proposed project and how the existing forested and sensitive areas will be protected during and after development. It includes an application form and worksheet (Both are in Adobe Acrobat format) showing the calculation of forest disturbed and retained and whether replanting trees will be required and a plan for the long term maintenance or protection of these trees.

  • NEW - Tree plantings will require a 2-Year Maintenance Agreement.

Where should these plans be sent?

Plans for state review and approval are submitted to the receiving centers in each region.

  • Western Region
    Garrett, Allegany, Washington and Frederick Counties
    Maryland Department of Natural Resources
    580 Taylor Avenue E-1
    Annapolis, MD 21401
    ​410-836-4568

  • Central Region
    Montgomery, Howard, Baltimore, Harford, Carroll and Cecil Counties
    Maryland Department of Natural Resources
    Forest Service
    2 S. Bond Street, Suite 101
    Bel Air, MD 21014
    410-836-4568

  • Southern Region
    Anne Arundel, Prince George's, Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's Counties
    Southern Region FCA Coordinator
    Maryland Department of Natural Resources
    Forest Service
    580 Taylor Avenue E-1
    Annapolis,MD 21401
    410-360-9774

  • Eastern Region
    Kent, Queen Anne's, Caroline, Talbot, Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester Counties
    Maryland Department of Natural Resources
    Forest Service
    580 Taylor Ave  E-1
    Annapolis, MD 21401
    410-836-4568​
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