Environment - Interjurisdictional Watersheds - Flood Management

SB 42 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to designate four specific watersheds - Carroll Creek (Frederick City/County), Gwynns Falls (Baltimore City/County), Jones Falls (Baltimore City/County), and Herring Run (Baltimore City/County) - along with all their source areas and tributaries, as "interjurisdictional flood hazard watersheds." This mandates local governments (counties and municipalities) to develop coordinated flood management plans for these watersheds, which must be reviewed and approved by the Department. The bill specifies that plans must include flood control methods like dams, levees, zoning changes, and stormwater systems, and it replaces existing requirements for managing flood plans across jurisdictional boundaries. The policy directly affects local governments responsible for flood planning in these areas, effective October 1, 2025.