Calvert and St. Mary's Counties - Living Shorelines and Nonstructural Shoreline Stabilization Measures

SB 368 requires property owners in Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties to use "living shorelines" or other nonstructural erosion control methods (like marsh creation, native plants, or oyster reefs) instead of hard structures for shoreline stabilization. It exempts these counties from standard requirements for nonstructural measures and creates a waiver process for property owners who can prove such methods are unfeasible due to factors like severe erosion or narrow shorelines. The bill defines "living shorelines" as projects using natural materials to absorb storm energy, restore habitat, and minimize erosion, while avoiding hard structures where possible. This policy change directly affects landowners near water in these two counties, prioritizing ecological solutions for coastal protection.