Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Protection Program - Standards and Procedures

Maryland's SB 178 updates rules for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Protection Program, affecting local governments in 12 coastal counties (including Calvert, Anne Arundel, and Worcester). The bill requires local programs to undergo comprehensive reviews every 10 years instead of 6, mandates new development to be adjacent to existing areas, and adds climate vulnerability assessments for new projects near protected waterways. It clarifies procedures for correcting mapping errors and establishes specific standards to minimize development impacts on habitat protection areas and water quality. The changes aim to strengthen environmental safeguards while providing clearer guidelines for local jurisdictions managing growth near sensitive coastal ecosystems.