When earth and/or soil are disturbed/moved in Washington County, to demolish structures, build a home, construct a road, harvest trees, grade a site, etc., the Washington County Soil Conservation District (WCSCD) is involved.  Our primary role, under Urban Services, is to act as the review and approval authority for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control plans.

The Urban Program receives its funding from fees charged for plan review and field services.  Over the years, fee structures have been established to support plan reviews and field services portions of the program.  The fees enable the WCSCD to hire staff to review plans to meet the requirements of the current Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control, as well as, conduct Pre-Construction Meetings, Interim Water Quality Inspections, and Final Site Closeout Reviews (final inspections to verify 95% overall vegetation) to better maintain field compliance. WCSCD has Memorandum of Understandings with the Maryland Department of the Environment to work as a contractor and to perform the duties associated with the field services as noted above.

The Urban Program staff consists of Denise “Dee” Price (District Manager), Mark Kendle (Programs Technician/Office Coordinator), Owen Stanton (Urban Planner), and Lori Flook-Bishop (Administrative Assistant).

Concept Plans, Grading Plans, Site Plans, Standard Grading and Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plans, Plats, Preliminary Consultations, and Forest Harvest Operation Plans are reviewed for soil erosion and sediment control compliance (meeting the Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control), as well as, protection of sensitive areas, such as, streams, sinkholes, wetlands, and floodplains.  The Sensitive Area Review is a service WCSCD provides to the Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning.

Plan Review Fees/Field Service Fees for “Standard Grading and Soil Erosion & Sediment Control Plan for Single Lot Single Family Residential Construction and Minor Earth Disturbances”, as well as, fees for Sensitive Area Reviews are collected by Washington County Government.  All other program fees, as well as, any supplemental payments, associated with the Urban Program, are collected at the local WCSCD Office.

Stormwater management ponds (small ponds), not holding water, which require District approval (per the Maryland Pond Standard 378), are outsourced for review.  This review ensures the plans conform to the Maryland specifications for pond construction meeting the requirements for Dam Safety per the standards.

Please visit the links provided or contact our office for additional information on Urban Services.