Confined Aquatic Disposal Cells - Construction - Moratorium

SB 168 prohibits Maryland’s Department of the Environment and Board of Public Works from processing or approving applications to construct confined aquatic disposal cells (underwater containment structures for contaminated sediments) within a certain distance of "overburdened communities." These communities are defined as census tracts where three or more environmental health indicators - such as high pollution levels, proximity to hazardous sites, or elevated asthma rates - exceed statewide 75th percentile thresholds. The bill directly affects developers seeking to build such disposal cells near these communities and state agencies responsible for environmental approvals. It replaces existing provisions to implement this moratorium, focusing on preventing new disposal projects in areas already facing environmental health burdens.