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SB 959

Environment - Wetlands - Landward Boundaries

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jack Bailey and 3 co-sponsors

MDE must precisely update tidal wetland landward boundaries after shoreline stabilization, showing updated maps and metes and bounds descriptions for any fast land.

Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 959

SB 959 — Environment — Wetlands — Landward Boundaries (Maryland)

Status: Hearing scheduled 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
Introduced: January 28, 2025
Effective date (bill text): October 1, 2025

Purpose / Intent

SB 959 directs the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to produce more precise, updated maps of tidal wetland landward boundaries after shoreline stabilization projects are completed, and requires that any “fast land” created under a tidal wetlands license be described by metes and bounds. The bill is intended to ensure post‑project wetland mapping accuracy (the existing statewide mapping is outdated) and to clarify legal descriptions for new accreted land.

Key provisions

  • Fast land description: Any “fast land” created under a tidal wetlands license must be described by metes and bounds (amendment to §16‑103).
  • Post‑project mapping requirement (§16‑206, new):
    • After completion of shoreline stabilization measures authorized under §16‑201(c), MDE must “precisely update” the landward boundaries of the relevant wetlands.
    • The updated landward boundary must be shown on suitable maps or aerial photographs at a scale of 1 inch = 200 feet.
    • MDE is required to adopt regulations to implement the mapping and update process.
  • Conforms with existing riparian‑owner and shoreline stabilization framework; the bill does not transfer land title (retains current riparian rights language).
  • Effective October 1, 2025.

Who is affected

  • Maryland Department of the Environment: new regulatory, review, tracking, and mapping responsibilities.
  • Riparian property owners and applicants for shoreline stabilization projects (private owners, local governments, State agencies such as Maryland Port Administration): may face additional survey, GIS, and mapping requirements when projects are completed.
  • Mapping and survey contractors / GIS vendors: potential increased demand for project‑specific mapping and surveying services.
  • Local governments and agencies owning riparian property: possible additional costs when using structural shoreline stabilization measures.

Fiscal and operational impacts

  • MDE: estimated general fund cost increase of $735,659 in FY 2026 (reflecting Oct. 1, 2025 effective date); ongoing higher costs in later years (FY 2027+: $912,800; FY 2028+: $941,300; FY 2030+: ~$1.00M annually).
    • Staffing assumed: 6 new positions (1 assistant Attorney General, 1 GIS analyst, 4 natural resource planners).
    • Contractual mapping/updating costs estimated (baseline cited $262,500 in FY 2026); MDE will rely on contractual assistance for precise wetland mapping.
  • Other State agencies and local governments that undertake structural shoreline stabilization may incur additional survey and mapping expenses.
  • Applicants likely responsible for preparing/submitting GIS data/maps and paying for project‑specific surveys when MDE lacks capacity to perform field surveys.

Timeline / procedural notes

  • Bill text lists October 1, 2025 as the effective date.
  • MDE must adopt implementing regulations (timeline depends on rulemaking).
  • Mapping updates are required following completion of covered shoreline stabilization measures (i.e., on a project‑by‑project post‑completion basis).

Context / rationale

The bill responds to concerns that existing wetland boundary maps are outdated (last statewide tidal wetlands map referenced as 1972) and that more accurate, up‑to‑date boundaries are important for property rights, permitting, coastal resilience, and public clarity after shoreline stabilization work is done.

If you want, I can extract the exact statutory language added/amended (full bill text excerpts), or draft a one‑page “what this means for property owners” advisory summarizing likely steps and costs for applicants.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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