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Board of Public Works

How the Wetland Process Works

Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) & BPW work together

The State of Maryland is dedicated to preserving and preventing unnecessary disturbance to our vital tidal wetlands. If you or your organization intends to dredge, fill, or alter state tidal wetlands, which includes common waterfront projects like building piers, installing boat lifts, or constructing bulkheads, you must first obtain a State Tidal Wetlands License.

Step 1: Everyone Starts at MDE

No matter the project, whether it's adding a simple jet-ski lift or dredging a massive commercial channel, every applicant must fill out the Joint State/Federal Application and submit it directly to MDE.

Step 2: MDE Sorts the Project

Once MDE receives the application, they evaluate the project's scale to determine which track it falls under:

The General License Track: If the project is minimally disruptive (like a standard residential pier), it qualifies for a General License. MDE reviews and issues this license directly. The applicant will likely never have to interact with the BPW.

The Individual License Track: If the project is larger or does not fit standard guidelines, it requires an Individual License.

  1. MDE conducts the initial environmental review and drafts a "Report and Recommendation."
  2. MDE then forwards that recommendation to the BPW Wetlands Administrator.
  3. The BPW Wetlands Administrator conducts an independent review and places the project on the agenda for a public BPW meeting, where the Board votes to grant or deny it.

The Only Exception: Emergency Licenses

If there is an emergency or undue hardship (like a collapsing seawall threatening a home), the applicant still starts by contacting MDE. However, an Emergency License requires the MDE and the BPW Wetlands Administrator to jointly agree immediately to allow the work before the Board formally votes on it at a later meeting.

Activities That Require a License

You must secure an authorized license before moving forward with any of the following activities:

  • Piers and boat lifts
  • Boat ramps and bulkheads
  • Beach nourishment or marsh creation
  • Dredge or basin excavation
  • Horizontal directional drilling (HDD)
  • Jetties, groins, stone breakwaters, or stone revetments
  • Mooring piles
  • Utility lines, pipes, and conduits