(A) The purpose of this chapter is to protect, maintain, and enhance the public health, safety, and general welfare by establishing minimum requirements and procedures to control the adverse impacts associated with increased stormwater runoff. The goal is to manage stormwater by using environmental site design (ESD) to the maximum extent practicable (MEP) to maintain after development as nearly as possible, the predevelopment runoff characteristics, and to reduce stream channel erosion, pollution, siltation and sedimentation, and local flooding, and use appropriate structural best management practices (BMPs) only when necessary. This will restore, enhance, and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of streams, minimize damage to public and private property, and reduce the impacts of land development.
(B) The provisions of this chapter, pursuant to the Md. Code Environment Article, Title 4, Subtitle 2, 2009 replacement volume, are adopted under the authority of the Code of Public Local Laws for Garrett County, Maryland, the same being Article 1 of the Public Local Laws of the State of Maryland (the County Code) and shall apply to all development occurring within the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Garrett County. The application of this chapter and provisions expressed herein shall be the minimum stormwater management requirements and shall not be deemed a limitation or repeal of any other powers granted by state statute. The Stormwater Management Office under the direction of Planning and Land Development, Permits and Inspections shall be responsible for the coordination and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.
(Res. 2010-8, passed 6-15-2010)